Reading benchmarks

"A BENCHMARK is a permanent monument, usually a brass plate, that is installed at a known elevation, and it is used by surveyors and engineers when bridges, roads, and other structures are being built. This practice was started in 1893 by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. (U.S.C.& G.S.) In 1930, the Massachusetts Department of Public Works became interested in the project and started to do its own surveying. Their measurements were then sent to Washington for verification and adjustment by the U.S.C.& G. S. Many Benchmarks can be found in Reading: on the roof of the Community Center, on the cupola of the Old South Church, and there is even one in the Ipswich River at the Reading-North Reading town line." -- From the album containing the photograph

Institution: Reading Public Library

Massachusetts--Middlesex (county)--Reading

1933-1990

image/jpeg

Benchmarks

still image

Photographs

2 photographs : b&w

16.2 cm x 11.2 cm; 17 cm x 12.1 cm