NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey recently partnered with the Montana Association of Registered Land Surveyors to establish and dedicate a commemorative geodetic survey marker at the new Interpretive/Visitor Center for Pompeys Pillar National Monument.

MARLS Southeast Chapter volunteers, Bob Rux of HKM, Inc., and Darryl Magnuson, Larry Resch, and Pete Knapp of Engineering, Inc., designed, negotiated an appropriate location with the BLM, and built the beautiful monument through the donations of several weekend’s labor and quantities of cement.  The 12 inch stainless steel survey marker was set in top of a 9 feet deep concrete monument and surrounded by a circle of colored concrete indicating the cardinal directions.  All of this is incorporated into the approach sidewalk from the new parking area, artistically portraying the path of the Yellowstone River as you walk to the Interpretive/Visitor Center with Pompeys Pillar as a backdrop.

A group of about 30 people braved the heat (about 98 degrees F) at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 22 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Captain William Clark’s description of Pompy’s Tower and the carving of his name on the sandstone rock on July 25, 1806.  The dedication was part of the “Clark on the Yellowstone” National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Heritage Signature Event, a four day celebration July 22nd through 25th and was held to dedicate the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery II commemorative survey marker that will become a part of the National Spatial Reference System, the federal standard and foundation for all positioning and navigation activities in the United States.

Montana NGS Advisor Curt Smith provided a welcome and overview of the commemorative marks established at each of the Signature Events with acknowledgement and thanks to the MARLS Southeast Chapter volunteers.  State Senator Dan McGee dedicated the survey marker on behalf of MARLS and described Thomas Jefferson’s contributions to surveying, the creation of the Public Land Survey System, and the accomplishments of surveyors since the days of Lewis and Clark.  U.S. Senator Max Baucus honored our dedication by attending and described Thomas Jefferson’s contributions to our country.