Searching for old redwood 2x2s

MikeTurnrose · Post by **MikeTurnrose** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:11 pm

I'm going to be starting a boundary survey tomorrow on a coastal property in San Mateo. It's approximately 76 acres. On one side there are several angle points where redwood 2x2s were placed in 1962. Generally, the line follows along a draw. It's not a narrow gulch. Does anyone think these may have a chance of being there? Thanks.

Dave Karoly, PLS · Post by **Dave Karoly, PLS** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:24 pm

Yes I have found old redwood 2x2s in a coastal environment and elsewhere.

They could be there.

In some corrosive soils the redwood hubs last longer than steel or iron monuments.

LA Stevens · Post by **LA Stevens** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 7:03 am

We have found old redwood 2x2 hubs over 100 years old. Some have been in very good shape and some were just remnants of redwood. If you're lucky, they are the clear heart redwood which last the longest. A few we have found from the era your talking about had disintegrated to the size of a 3/4" dowel with the tag and brass pin still intact.

In all likelihood, you'll have an archaeological dig on your hands to find the best available evidence of the hubs location.

Good luck!

pls7809 · Post by **pls7809** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:55 am

So the moral of the story is be very gentle with your shovel.

LS_8750 · Post by **LS_8750** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:39 am

We find old government posts all the time in Santa Cruz County.
But then again, we don't find them just as often.

50 year old redwood post should be there, though perhaps moss covered and hidden in the ferns and other vegetation (poison oak?).....

RAM · Post by **RAM** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:52 pm

Everytime I am in Yosemite in the Foresta subdivision, I have recovered remains of 2x2 hubs set in 1902. Despite the fact the entire area has burned twice. A garden trowel is the ticket, scape don't dig. It does help to have a starting point and small search areas.

btaylor · Post by **btaylor** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:22 pm

Mike, you will definitely find some remains, and some in decent condition if the ground is not disturbed.

hellsangle · Post by **hellsangle** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:59 am

Good luck, Mike!

If they are there - youâ€™ll find â€˜em!

Minimally, you should have a whisk broom & trowel. Just as Stevens said . . . it is now liken an archeological dig. Take your time and youâ€™re be rewarded.

In the attached article a hub was set over 100 years and the scribe mark â€œAWFâ€ (A.W. Foster - San Anselmo, CA) is still very visible.

We we love this profession because we love the terra-detectives elements in searching for original boundaries!

Best wishes,

Phil - Sonoma

MikeTurnrose · Post by **MikeTurnrose** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:56 pm

That's cool Phil. Thanks.

California Surveyors Forums

Searching for old redwood 2x2s

Searching for old redwood 2x2s

seek 'n ye shall find!