Face Rock at the town of Bandon is one of the most unique rocks along the Oregon Coast. Well worth a quick stop as you tour the coast. 11 continues Exploring the southern Oregon Coast this summer revealed yet another location with a surveying influence. Although not a surveyor, Francois was born in February of 1786 in France and at the age of 23 became the chair of analytic geometry at the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris. Later in life he became director of the Paris Observatory and a permanent secretary of the Academy of Sciences. His name provides a connection between Paris and the Oregon Coast. Among his many contributions to science, Arago was an early astronomer and geodesist. His work resulted in a recalculation of the Paris Meridian’s arc in the early 19th century and he conducted geodetic surveys in France, England, and Scotland. Apparently during his work to complete his surveys, he lit fires on mountain tops to assist in his triangulation efforts, but local the population suspected he was a spy supporting the invading army and he was jailed. After escape and reimprisonment, he was ultimately released and eventually returned to France. Through all of this he somehow preserved his survey records and upon return to France he deposited those records with the Bureau des Longitudes in Paris. Answer Which 19th century French scientist, known for his work on the Paris Meridian and friendship with Augustin-Jean Fresnel, has a landmark spot named after him on the southern Oregon Coast? Question Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon | www.plso.org The Lost Surveyor
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