PLSO The Oregon Surveyor Sept/Oct 2020

15 Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon |  www.plso.org Photo 10: Typical remains of a Block corner. Photo 11: Portion of survey CS14230. Photo 12: 2005 aerial showing rerouted Cook Ave. Using the 1904monuments, we were able to resolve the various boundaries with ease and confidence, primarily because Thomas’ 1904 work was exceedingly good. Most record distances measured within one tenth of a foot. Completing the Project A record of survey was filed at the County Surveyor’s Office in 2000 as C14230 (Pho - to 11), followed by a 2002 property line adjustment survey (CS14826) and finally a 2002 right-of-way map of the new re- alignment (CS14831). The new road was constructed by Hap Taylor & Sons and old Cook Avenue was vacated within the Taylor operation (Photo 12). Conclusions My personal experience in the plat of Laidlaw and elsewhere in Central Oregon shows that (1) wood stakes were set as lot and block corners inmany early 1900s subdivisions even though the writings on the plats don’t indicate it and (2) rem- nants of these originals may still exist if the land was not disturbed, irrigated or landscaped. Granted, my experience has been in the arid high desert of Central Oregon. Your mileage may differ in the fecund rainforest west of the Cascades. You won’t know if such corners were set unless you dig for them. Vampire Cemetery? During the course of this project I attend- ed a PLSO Central Chapter meeting and shared what we were finding with the group: “A perfect grid of old, rotten wood stakes a foot or two underground.” My friend PeteManley, PLS, asked if we hadn’t actually unearthed a Vampire Cemetery. The rotted remains of dead vampires now gone, with just the wooden stakes that had been driven through their vile hearts remaining. x Featured Article