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Searching for old redwood 2x2s
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:11 pm
by MikeTurnrose
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.
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:24 pm
by Dave Karoly, PLS
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.
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 7:03 am
by LA Stevens
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!
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:55 am
by pls7809
So the moral of the story is be very gentle with your shovel.
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:39 am
by LS_8750
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?).....
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:52 pm
by RAM
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.
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:22 pm
by btaylor
Mike, you will definitely find some remains, and some in decent condition if the ground is not disturbed.
seek 'n ye shall find!
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:59 am
by hellsangle
Good luck, Mike!
If they are there - you’ll find ‘em!
Minimally, you should have a whisk broom & trowel. Just as Stevens said . . . it is now liken an archeological dig. Take your time and you’re be rewarded.
In the attached article a hub was set over 100 years and the scribe mark “AWF†(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
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:56 pm
by MikeTurnrose
That's cool Phil. Thanks.