The Modern Day Depression Era Surveyor

[LS_8750]

I'm actually doing more land surveying that engineering these days. And that's fine with me.

I wonder though. Understanding the great infrastructure boost our nation received during the Great Depression, I am more interested in how the old Ma & Pa shops fared at the time.

And how does the Great Depression era land surveying climate compare to that of present day? Comments anybody?

That said, I will leave you with a little piece written by one of the great land surveyors of Santa Cruz County, Mr. Stanley R. Smith, LS 2265:

“As a consideration in the new Ollason agreement the City was to provide certain survey work on the Ollason boundary. I was then employed by Mr. Arnold Baldwin who had the surveying contract under City Engineer Kitchen. Mr. Baldwin picked me up at moon rise on May 4, 1935 and proceeded to the Ollason farm. This was so early the deer had not yet come to feed at the Mann corral. Baldwin drove a spike in the road near Sal Licari's mailbox, put a flashlight behind it, and took an observation on the North Star. This business out of the way we adjourned to breakfast at the west end of Montague's flume. Scraps of Sycamore limbs provided a fire for the coffee and when only live coals remained, Baldwin produced two large steaks which he threw upon the ashes. French rolls which appeared from a gunny sack were opened with an axe. Thus fortified with bread, meat and coffee, we began by the grey light of dawn, the survey of the Ollason boundary. The morning passed in a dusty swirl of dense brush, nettles, witness trees, poison oak, blackberry vines, and ancient fences while noontide crawled toward us and as slowly receded into the forgotten past. I mentioned food and was reminded that I had dined on steak that morning, and this in the darkest year of the Roosevelt Depression. The valley echoed to the ringing of axe and brushhook all through the afternoon and far into evening. Molinda Ollason arrived home from work at the laundry in her A-Ford and paused to view the battlefield. 'Land sakes Mr. Baldwin, you folks sure do lay open a fine wide trail!' 'Yes ma'am,' said Mr. Baldwin, 'A person needs room to work.' We finished by the light of Baldwin's headlamps and that day for the first time I saw a surveyor at work. There are some days you never forget."

Steak for breakfast in 1935? I wonder if old Baldwin lowballed the next guy to get that job...... I doubt it.

Cheers!

[Stephen Johnson]

As both a historical and some would call a political note, did you notice that Mr. Smith called the depression the ROOSEVELT Depression. Many historians and forensic economists are of the opinion that FDR's programs extended the Great Depression by at least 5 years and that if he had followed Hoover's lead the depression would have been over by 1934. Of course since that did not happen, we can only speculate.

[Coy Glasscock]

I believe the depression was resonsible for a lot of surveyors moving out west. I haven't done the research but I am sure there was a large spike in the number of new surveyors in the west during the end of the depression.

Same now, I am sure in a few years we will notice a large spike in new surveyors in the states that are doing well right now with a decline in the states that are not. I personally, am taking advantage of the new Oil and Gas boom in South Texas, and I notice new surveyors from other states showing up every week (and still not enough)

Surveyors are the first to go to work in a growing economy, as long as they know how to use a U-Haul.

[land butcher]

Many surveyors cooked their meals on the job site. Start a non-permitted cook fire today and you will be getting a "special tax" bill handed to you.

Along with the depression was the dust bowl. Thousands from the midwest came west, or tried to. Those "plant, fruit and vegetable" inspection stations on the hwys into CA were originally "If you don't have proof of a job waiting you cannot enter CA" stations.

A couple of recent trips thru those "plant, fruit and vegetable" inspection stations indicate to me that they are not just interested in plants, fruits and vegetables these days. Telling them you don't have any plants, fruits or vegetables seems to fall on deaf ears as they still want to inspect the vehicle. Their authority comes from the Business and Professions code. Cute.

[7702]

A bit off topic, perhaps, but the California Dept of Food and Agriculture has a very informative website that explains the purpose of the "plant, fruit, and vegetable inspection stations located along the State borders. There are also a number of informative videos on YouTube.

It's my understanding that their authority to perform inspections was created by the California Food and Agriculture Code. I wasn't aware of any provisions in the Business and Professions Code that govern CDFA operations. I do know that the Quarantine Officers at these stations are responsible for enforcing literally hundreds of Country, State, and Federal agriculturally related quarantines. They also work as agents for California Dept of Fish and Game while inspecting boats for destructive plant and animal pests.

It can be a thankless, dangerous job and the Officers don't get paid all that much. In fact, most are part-time, seasonal employees that start out at about $10/hour with limited benefits.