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Avoid Property Disputes With Accurate Land Surveying Service

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:30:41 GMT

When it comes to land ownership and property development, accurate land surveying services are indispensable. Whether you are purchasing a new property, preparing for construction, installing a fence, or resolving legal boundary disputes, having the exact measurements and property lines clearly defined is crucial. Without precise land surveying in Aurora, IL, you face the risk of costly mistakes, delays, and conflicts with neighbors or local authorities. PLCS Corporation understands these challenges and is committed to providing dependable land surveying services that protect your property and peace of mind. This article explores why professional land surveying is essential, how it safeguards your property interests, and the key benefits of reliable surveying services.

Why Land Surveying Services Are Essential

Accurate land surveying is more than just measuring property lines—it is a critical foundation for protecting your investment and ensuring smooth property-related processes. Whether you’re establishing ownership, planning new construction, or navigating a real estate transaction, professional land surveying services provide the precise information needed to avoid costly mistakes and legal issues. Below, we explore the key reasons why engaging expert surveyors is essential for property owners and developers in the Aurora area.

Boundary Identification and Legal Protection

One of the primary reasons to engage land surveying services is to establish clear and legally recognized boundary lines. Knowing the exact limits of your property can prevent disputes with neighbors and avoid expensive legal battles that arise from encroachments or property line uncertainties. Accurate surveys serve as legal evidence in court and offer peace of mind that your property rights are well protected.

Pre-Construction Planning and Compliance

Before breaking ground on any construction project, it is vital to have a detailed site survey performed. Land surveying helps ensure that building plans comply with zoning laws, setback requirements, and municipal codes. Without a precise survey, you risk building over property lines or violating local ordinances, which can lead to costly delays, fines, or even forced demolition. A thorough survey informs architects, engineers, and builders so that the project moves forward smoothly and within legal guidelines.

Real Estate Transactions and Title Issues

When buying or selling property, land surveying services in Aurora, IL, are an invaluable tool to uncover any title issues early in the process. Surveys identify easements, rights-of-way, encroachments, and other restrictions that may affect use or ownership. By detecting these factors prior to closing, buyers and sellers can negotiate with full transparency, preventing unpleasant surprises that could jeopardize the transaction. Accurate surveys also help clear title discrepancies and facilitate a smooth transfer of ownership.

Overcoming Common Land Surveying Challenges

Aurora’s diverse terrain and local regulations can make land surveying a complex task. From rolling hills and the presence of the Fox River to varying municipal codes and setback requirements, surveyors must navigate a range of factors that impact measurement accuracy and compliance. Professional land surveying services rely on advanced technology and deep local knowledge to map these natural and regulatory complexities precisely, ensuring your property boundaries and development plans are accurately documented.

Additionally, hidden easements, encroachments, and seasonal weather conditions can create further challenges during the surveying process. Experienced surveyors conduct thorough title research and use comprehensive ALTA/NSPS land title surveys to uncover any issues before they become costly problems.

What Makes PLCS Surveying a Trusted Choice in Aurora

Choosing the right land surveying provider is crucial to ensure accuracy, reliability, and peace of mind. PLCS Corporation stands out among land surveying services in Aurora, IL, by combining extensive local experience with cutting-edge technology and a comprehensive range of offerings. This unique blend allows PLCS Corporation to consistently deliver superior results tailored to the specific needs of Aurora property owners and developers. Here’s what makes PLCS Corporation the trusted partner for your surveying needs.

Local Knowledge and Experience

PLCS Corporation excels in land surveying services because of its deep understanding of the unique challenges and regulations in the area. Aurora’s diverse topography and varying municipal requirements demand nuanced surveying solutions that only locally experienced providers can confidently deliver. This local expertise allows PLCS Corporation to offer precise and reliable results tailored to client needs.

Comprehensive Surveying Services

PLCS Corporation surveying services in Aurora, IL, cover a broad spectrum of needs, including but not limited to boundary surveys, topographic surveys, construction staking, and ALTA/NSPS land title surveys. This wide range of services ensures clients receive everything required for property acquisition, development, or dispute resolution from a single trusted source.

Accuracy and Advanced Equipment

State-of-the-art technology is central to delivering superior land surveying in Aurora, IL. PLCS Corporation utilizes the latest GPS equipment, total stations, and computer-aided design (CAD) software to capture exa ct measurements and generate detailed maps and reports. Precision and efficiency are guaranteed, minimizing errors and accelerating project timelines.

Secure Your Property’s Future

Accurate land surveying services are the cornerstone of clear property ownership and successful development projects. Whether you’re dealing with property boundaries, planning new construction, or navigating real estate transactions, a professional survey protects your interests and averts costly disputes. To ensure your property is properly surveyed with accuracy and integrity, don’t hesitate to take the next step— contact PLCS Corporation, offering a reputable land surveying service in Aurora, IL. Your peace of mind starts with a precise survey.

Expert Land Surveying | Bolingbrook, IL | PLCS Corporation

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 21:11:15 GMT

When it comes to managing, developing, or buying property in Bolingbrook, IL, understanding the exact boundaries and characteristics of your land is crucial. Land surveying provides property owners with the accurate and detailed information necessary to avoid costly legal issues and construction errors. At PLCS Corporation, a trusted provider of land surveying services near Bolingbrook, IL, we recognize that precise land data is foundational to any real estate or development project. This article explores why land surveying is essential for property owners, contractors, and developers alike, ensuring every project is built on a solid foundation.

Building With Confidence: The Importance of Professional Land Surveying

Accuracy in Boundaries

One of the most critical reasons land surveying in Bolingbrook, IL, matters is boundary accuracy. Property owners need to be certain about where their property lines lie to prevent disputes with neighbors, resolve title issues, and comply with local regulations. Professional land surveying services use precise instruments and methods to establish clear property boundaries. This accuracy can prevent future legal battles that arise from boundary confusion or encroachment.

Successful Construction Projects

For property owners and developers undertaking construction projects, land surveying services in Bolingbrook, IL, are indispensable. Surveyors provide detailed information on the land’s topography, slopes, and existing structures, ensuring that construction plans align perfectly with the real land conditions. By investing in land surveying early in the process, property owners can avoid expensive delays and costly mistakes that occur when construction starts without fully understanding the site.

Real Estate Transactions

Whether buying or selling land, land surveying in Bolingbrook, IL, is often required during real estate transactions. Lenders and title companies may demand a survey to confirm the exact size and boundaries of a property. Land surveying services provide peace of mind to both buyers and sellers by clarifying what is actually included in a transaction, helping prevent surprises after the deal closes.

Inside Look: What to Expect From Expert Land Surveyors

Experienced Surveyors

Professional land surveying services are delivered by experienced surveyors who understand the unique landscape and municipal regulations of the area. These experts offer precise, locally informed surveys that reflect the town’s specific zoning laws and geographic conditions. Companies like PLCS Corporation specialize in land surveying, ensuring that their findings are both accurate and compliant.

Variety of Services

Land surveying encompasses a broad range of service types tailored to different needs. Typical offerings include boundary surveys to define property lines, topographic surveys that map land elevations and features, and construction staking that guides builders during site development. Customers looking for comprehensive land surveying services in Bolingbrook, IL, can expect solutions that cover every phase of a project, from planning to final execution.

Accurate and Reliable Results

A hallmark of reputable land surveying services is delivering precise and dependable results. Accuracy is paramount to ensuring that land boundaries are respected, legal documentation is correct, and construction projects proceed smoothly. Companies committed to quality in land surveying in Bolingbrook, IL, guarantee survey data that property owners and developers can trust, minimizing risks related to property disputes or regulatory noncompliance.

Why PLCS Surveying Is Bolingbrook’s Trusted Choice for Land Surveys

When it comes to land surveying in Bolingbrook, IL, PLCS Corporation provides a combination of local know-how, efficient service, and outstanding customer care that sets them apart. Here’s why they should be your top choice:

Local Expertise: PLCS Corporation’s deep understanding of Bolingbrook’s zoning laws, property regulations, and unique topography ensures that every survey is tailored to meet the area’s specific needs. This local knowledge gives clients greater confidence, knowing their projects comply with all local requirements.

Timely and Efficient Service: Time is critical in any real estate or construction project. PLCS is known for delivering accurate land surveying services in Bolingbrook, IL, promptly and without delays. Their streamlined processes enable property owners and developers to keep projects moving on schedule.

Committed to Customer Satisfaction : Clear communication and personalized attention are hallmarks of PLCS Corporation. Clients appreciate how the team makes every effort to thoroughly explain survey results, ensuring transparency and trust. This dedication has earned PLCS a reputation as a reliable and client-focused land surveying provider in the Bolingbrook community.

Together, these qualities make PLCS Corporation a dependable partner for all your land surveying needs in Bolingbrook, IL.

Ready to Secure Your Property?

For property owners, contractors, and developers in Bolingbrook, IL, land surveying is an essential step toward safeguarding your investment and guaranteeing the success of your project. Accurate land surveying services provide clarity, prevent disputes, and ease construction challenges. Contact PLCS Corporation today to schedule a consultation or request a quote for reliable, expert land surveying services in Bolingbrook, IL. Partnering with PLCS means gaining peace of mind and a solid foundation for all your real estate and development needs.

The Role of Land Surveying Services in Real Estate

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 21:21:32 GMT

Whether you're buying your first home or preparing to sell a piece of land, one crucial step can make or break your real estate transaction: land surveying services in Aurora, IL. Property lines, encroachments, and legal boundaries aren’t always clear on paper, but they’re critical in practice. That’s why this blog explores how land surveys play a vital role in protecting buyers, sellers, and agents throughout the process. From avoiding costly disputes to satisfying lender and title company requirements, we'll break down the value of professional land surveying in Aurora, IL, and what you need to know before closing the deal. If you're navigating the real estate market in the area, companies like Professional Land and Construction Surveyors can help ensure everything is aligned—literally and legally.

Why Land Surveying Matters in Real Estate

Land surveying forms the backbone of nearly every real estate deal, especially when property boundaries are in question. Before a title company issues insurance or a lender releases funds, a land survey is often required to verify property lines, uncover encroachments, and confirm legal descriptions.

Surveys reduce the risk of future legal disputes and allow buyers to invest with confidence. From new home buyers in the suburbs of Aurora to commercial developers downtown, everyone benefits from understanding exactly what they’re buying—or selling.

Protecting Buyers: The Crucial Role of Land Surveying

For homebuyers, a property purchase is often the largest financial decision they'll make. Without an accurate survey, they could unknowingly purchase a property that includes an encroachment, illegal fence, or shared driveway that impacts its use or value. Professional land surveying services in Aurora, IL, identify the following key elements:

Boundary lines.
Building setbacks.
Fence or structure encroachments.
Easements or utility access.

By clarifying these details, land surveying ensures post-sale disputes or legal claims don't blindside buyers. It also helps with planning future improvements, such as pools, additions, or fences, that must stay within legal boundaries.

Why Sellers in Aurora Should Invest in Land Surveying Services

Sellers stand to gain significantly from investing in a recent, certified land survey before listing their property. Providing a professional survey signals transparency and builds trust with potential buyers, two elements that can lead to quicker offers and smoother negotiations. It also helps prevent last-minute surprises that could derail a deal, such as boundary disputes or unrecorded improvements, which can delay or even cancel a closing.

In a competitive market like Aurora, land surveying services in Aurora, IL, can also support a seller’s asking price by verifying total acreage, identifying usable land, and clarifying access points or easements. For those selling vacant land, multi-acre properties, or homes near neighboring structures, a survey is often the key to justifying value and speeding up the closing process.

Real Estate Agents: Avoid Surprises and Protect Clients

Real estate professionals in Aurora juggle everything from pricing strategy to closing logistics—and the last thing anyone needs is a boundary dispute emerging after the ink has dried. That’s where land surveying services in Aurora, IL, become a powerful tool for protecting clients and maintaining professional credibility. A thorough land survey can uncover issues like encroachments, easements, or inaccurate legal descriptions before they become deal-breakers.

By recommending a survey early in the buying or selling process, agents can identify potential red flags, ensure that property dimensions listed in marketing materials are accurate, and avoid legal complications tied to misrepresented land boundaries. This not only helps prevent delays or renegotiations at closing but also builds confidence with both buyers and sellers. In a fast-moving and competitive real estate market like Aurora, being proactive about hiring land surveying services strengthens client relationships and reinforces an agent’s reputation for due diligence and professionalism.

Common Property Problems Found Through Land Surveying

Even when everything seems in order, a certified land survey can reveal surprising (and often expensive) problems. Some of the most common issues discovered through land surveying in Aurora, IL, include:

1. Encroachments

A neighbor’s shed, fence, or even part of a building may extend past the boundary. Encroachments can lead to disputes and may affect the value or usability of a property.

2. Easements

Undisclosed utility easements or rights-of-way can restrict development or impact plans for additions. Surveys identify these legal limitations before construction begins.

3. Inaccurate Legal Descriptions

Old property records might not reflect recent changes in boundaries. A land survey updates and corrects these errors, protecting both buyer and seller.

4. Unrecorded Improvements

Driveways, garages, or additions that haven’t been legally recorded can be uncovered during a survey, which may require resolution before closing.

A Smart Partnership: Why Aurora Agents Trust Professional Land and Construction Surveyors

In the fast-paced world of real estate transactions, having a knowledgeable and reliable land surveyor on your side can make all the difference—and in Aurora, IL, local expertise is everything. That’s why so many real estate professionals turn to Professional Land and Construction Surveyors as their go-to partner. With a proven track record across both residential and commercial projects, we offer:

In-depth familiarity with Aurora’s zoning regulations and permitting processes.
Rapid turnaround times that keep transactions on schedule.
Precise, lender-approved documentation that ensures compliance and clarity.
A reputation for responsive service and strong client relationships.

When agents and developers work with Professional Land and Construction Surveyors, they gain more than just a survey—they gain peace of mind. Every step of the way, our team helps eliminate uncertainty, prevent costly delays, and move deals toward closing with confidence.

Take the Next Step Toward Smooth Land Surveying Services

In the dynamic world of real estate, clear boundaries mean clear expectations—and fewer headaches. Whether you're a buyer, seller, agent, or developer, land surveying services in Aurora, IL, are essential to protecting your investment and ensuring a smooth, dispute-free transaction. From identifying encroachments to satisfying lender and title company requirements, a professional survey brings confidence and clarity to every real estate transaction. For accurate, timely, and trusted land surveying in Aurora, IL, turn to Professional Land and Construction Surveyors. Call us today to schedule your survey and move forward with certainty.

The Chicagoan

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 16:57:00 GMT

The Following life story was taken from a document found in the PLCS archives which was preserved by Chicago Guarantee Survey Company. Said archive dates back to the mid to late 1800s.

The archive contains hundreds of indexing maps, atlas books, land survey note books, tax maps and record maps.

These archives help our company to produce boundary lines by determining placement weighing on past and present conditions.

We have added snippets of information taken from the archive to help illustrate some of the places referenced in this story. The Survey notes shown herein were taken from our collection of books created at the time Emil Rudolph had ownership of the company.

Written 1936 by Emil Rudolph

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS

OF

EMIL RUDOLPH

PREFACE

For the past ten or more years, suggestions have often been made by our grandchildren-

JAMES and JEAN HELLER and

CHARLES and ELINOR STEELE

To give them a story of the Chicago Fire, October 9th, 1871 as witnessed by me, and of some of the important projects, etc. which made our city great and famous.

In addition I will add a biographical sketch of our family, which in the absence of any data, only goes back as far as 1800 A. D. It gives me great pleasure to dedicate this narrative to them.

EMIL RUDOLPH

Jan. 1936

Rudolph Family Tree

Through no fault of mine, I can only trace the Rudolph family tree back to 1800 A. D. From father, I learned that grandfather Paul Rudolf, was born in that year, He was a native of Saxony not many miles From Carlsbad and lost his parents early in life.

He became a farmer and tilled the soil, migrating across the Saxon border to a settlement called "Maria Ratschitz"( Mariánské Radčice ) near Briix ( Brüx ) in Bohemia ( Czechia ). If I remember rightly, during the later years of life he became blind and in consequence accidentally fell and died in 1885. Grandmother's family name was Dieterich.

My father, Josef, was horn Feb. 5, 1825, on the farm at Maria Ratschitz. He was the eldest of three boys. In order of age, they were Josef, Paul, and Ferdinand. Pursuant to customs, the elder of the boys was to receive the college education and the other members of the family to remain on the farm. Josef, having received his preparatory education at Prague was sent to Vienna to finish in college.

I have no date when he entered college, but do know when and how he left. During the year 1848, a revolution occurred over all of Europe. The principal participants or conspirators were the students of the various Universities and Colleges. The Revolution, which had assumed threatening proportions was suddenly checked through the united action of the various Powers by shooting the main conspirators.

Father, being one of them, made his escape under the cover of night and after weeks of hiding and traveling on foot landed in Bremen, where he, with other confederates effected passage on a sailing ship for America which was the mecca for the unfortunates.

At that time, no steam boats existed and it took anywhere from six weeks to several months (depending on the wind) to make the trip. Incidentally, I may mention that it took mother seventy-two days to cross. She often mentioned that trip and the hardships suffered.

In sixty days all the provisions on the ship gave out and finally they subsisted on rice only three times a day, for two weeks. We children often joked mother whenever we had rice at the meal- saying we had enough of that when we came over the sea. Father landed in America either late in 1848 or early in 1849. He went to Cincinnati where a majority of the Revolutionists had settled or made their headquarters. They had organized a society called "Jungmänner Verein" and father soon after becoming a member was elected Secretary. The organization had over 1500 members.

Father's funds did not last long, and not being accustomed to physical labor he was obliged to resort to all kinds of endeavors to make a living. He told us often how he managed to get along on five cents a day.

His first venture was to acquire the knowledge of making a shoe polish which he accomplished then with a stock on hand, he had to make a house to house canvass to dispose of it. Shoe polish evidently was not used to any great extent and consequently father had to look for something more remunerative. It looked as though father was not cut out to be a salesman. His next step was to acquire the art of making cigars, but he did not follow this very long.

Father was quite popular in his Society and in time became associated with Fritz Hassaurek, and together they published the first German newspaper in Cincinnati. I believe the name of the paper was the 'Freidenker" (free thinker). I do not know how long he continued in the newspaper business, probably not more than a few years.

In the good old days, life was not easy or pleasant for the newly arrived immigrants. They were easily distinguished from the natives. Most of them wore clothes hemmed with green binding and that fact, probably coined the word "greenhorn"'. During that time the natives were very antagonistic to the immigrants and when any of them passed a crowd, they were often stoned and chased.

Father became acquainted with mother in Cincinnati and was married there June 14. 1853, moving afterwards to St. Louis and then to Dubuque, Iowa. I believe they came to Chicago in 1855 where the family remained with the exception of a little over a year during 1863- 64 when we lived in New York and Hoboken.

Father possessed a most amiable and lovable character and was always most considerate for the welfare of others. I never heard or knew of anyone that did not speak of him with the highest praise.

From what I can gather, and to the best of my recollection I will tell you briefly how, when and where he was engaged in business. In 1855 he was in the notion and jewelry repair business on N. Clark St. 50 ft. S. of the S. W. corner of Michigan St. now ( Austin Ave.) where I was born.

Next we find him at S. E. Cor. Clinton and Randolph Sts. in the same line (1859-63) having a store window in Uncle Carl Wetzler's dry goods store.

Rudolph Book 319 Pages 146-147

Survey Notes year 1905, SWX Randoph and Clinton

This neighborhood was considered to have the homes of the elite of the Germans in Chicago at that time. I will later give a little more of the family history explaining who Uncle Carl was. We remained at Clinton and Randolph Sts. until 1863 when we moved to New York. In 1865 we returned to Chicago and lived on Eric St. near Franklin, Superior near Wells and Wells near Chestnut and finally in 1868 moved to our home 160 Sedgwick St. S. of Oak St. This home was destroyed by the great fire of Oct. 9, 1871 and then rebuilt in 1874 where the family remained until 1887.

Rudolph Book 2, Pages 126-127

Oak and Sedgwick, July 1881

On returning from New York, father entered Uncle Carl's employ in his new furniture business, west of the N. W. Cor. of Wells and Randolph St., having during our absence given up the dry goods store. In 1870 father with an associate bought Uncle's business under the firm name of Rudolph and Thomalen. This business continued until the Great Fire at 73 Randolph St. just west of N. W. Cor. State St. After the fire the business was at 155 W. Washington St. between Union and Halsted until the fall of 1873 when the firm failed . At the time of the fire the business people all over the country came to the rescue of Chicago sufferers by voluntarily offering liberal credit to their customers and by offering to settle all claims at 15 to 25 cents on the dollar which was accepted by nearly everybody. Father politely refused with thanks and insisted on paying in full. But the financial panic overtook them in that year and they were unable to meet their obligations.

Sometime after the failure father entered the employ of the Federal Government in the Internal Revenue Department where he remained several years. In these good old days a government job meant that you were expected to be an active working politician which was very distasteful to father. I believe he stayed there three or four years. He made us boys promise never to hold any political or elective office- which promise was kept.

He then entered the cabinet furniture manufacturing business of Bauerle and Stark on the west side and continued there until in the eighties. Do not remember the date when he severed his connection with the B. and S. concern, but know that he left to go with the Zangerle Co. on the North Side where he was nearer home. They manufactured parlor furniture frames and were the largest concern in that line. Father became general manager and was given an interest in the firm. He was there quite a number of years when the partners died and the business was sold. Father now retired from active business, but soon became restless, as he could not sit down and idle his time away, and went daily to brother Frank's factory to look after his interests. After Frank sold out his various interests to the American Can Co. father came out to Highland Park daily, keeping busy-planting trees, etc., on our Homestead "Linden Park."

He would come out from the city on an early train and remain until nearly 5 o'clock dailv. His time was occupied in the garden most of the time which kept him in good health. He kept this up until his 90th year. He now began gradually to lose his eyesight and was obliged to stay nearer home and not venture far. Father died Dec. 25th, 1917 when he was nearly ninety three years old.

Mother's maiden name was Charlotte Wetzler. Her parents were from Saaz-Bohemia, only an hours ride from father's home; strange to say, they never met until fate threw them together in America. Grand father's name was Joachim Wetzler-do not know his age, but can say it was about the same as grandpa Rudolph- they died only a few years apart. Grandmother Wetzler's maiden name was Adler. The Wetzler family consisted of two sons, Albert and Karl (Charles) and four daughters- Hannah (Esther) Kohn. Charlotte Rudolph, Eliza Canmann and Babette Eckstein, Moritz Wetzler was a half brother and the youngest of the family. Charles Wetzler came to America in 1847, Albert and Charlotte in 1849, Eliza and Babette in 1849.

Mother was born Feb. 10th, 1828. We always celebrated our parents birthday on the 5th of February. For me to dwell upon her lovable traits and the events

happening during her career would more than fill a volume. Both of our parents were spared to us for a long time- mother passed away March 26, 1924, passing her ninety-sixth birthday. For the last eight years she was blind; but nevertheless remained cheerful at all times.

The Rudolph family consisted of four children:

Charles born March 22, 1854, Emil, Nov. 24, 1855, Franklin, Aug. 8, 1858 and Bertha, Oct. 18, 1860. Brother Charles never married, and died in 1901 after a lingering illness of six years. He followed architecture as his life work, graduating from the Vienna Polytechnic School in 1876. He was musically and artistically inclined, playing the violin efficiently. He associated himself with friends of similar disposition and many musical treats were had at home by a quartet of friends playing violin, piano and cello. Upon his return to Chicago in 1877 from abroad he opened an Architect's office. His first order was to build a swimming pool for L. J. Kadish at the N. W. cor. of Michigan Ave. and Jackson Blvd. It was the first of its kind in America and proved to be such a successful business venture that a second one was built on the South side of W. Madison St. between Laflin and Loomis Streets and a third on N. Wells St., N. of Schiller St. He designed and constructed many buildings in Chicago; his last work was as Architect for the Board of Education for the City.

Brother Franklin passed for High School but never attended. He started his working days early in life. His first job was to help Uncle Carl Wetzler in buying old metals, such as lead pipes, copper, iron, etc., which were gathered by searchers amongst the ruins of the great fire. This lasted only about six months when he became an apprentice to a Japanner. After serving his apprenticeship he embarked in business for himself-making and japanning tin for trunks and stove boards. With the aid of father who looked after his office affairs, he became quite successful. He patented different machines used in his business and thereby associated himself with the canning interests. I believe it was in 1900 that he sold out his business to the American Can Co. which was then organized. He intended to retire, but was requested and begged to stay with the Company which he did in an advisory capacity. He married in 1901 and was finally persuaded to accept the vice-presidency and General managership of the Company until his death, Dec, 27, 1922. He left a wife and three children, Franklin, Charles and Pauline. Aunt Bertha you have with you today, and I know you all love her. There is one of the dearest and sweetest of mortals that ever lived, and all that ever met her will verify that. She never married and how we all wished that she had found a life partner and had her own happy little family. It was she who kept up the care of the old home and was a comfort to our dear parents who were spared to us longer than the average human life. Aunt Bertha will be seventy-five this year and has her own little home which she maintains with the aid of a housekeeper. Should it happen that she meet with adversity after I have passed, I know that she will be taken care of.

I will tell you about grandmother's family. The parents were Mark and Eliza Canmann of St. Louis where they lived until in the nineties and then moved to Chicago. They were blessed with ten children, five girls and five boys. The girls were Hannah, Fannie, Julie, Lenora and ·cora. The boys, Simpson, Albert, Charles, Dave and Harry; those living today (1936) are Albert, Fannie, Julie, Leonora, Cora and Harry. I feel that one of the survivors could give you a better biographical sketch of the family, than I, with details which no doubt would be forthcoming upon your request.

I will now attempt to give you an account of myself from memory as events happened from the time I left high school in May of 1871. It was accidental that I entered -the surveying business. I was taken from school on account of failing health caused by over study (please don't laugh). As a school boy, I was always ambitious, especially to rank in class as Number One. I never reached that goal, but got up as far as number two and stayed there. Number One was always held by the same pupil and I was never more surprised and mortified than when I discovered that during an examination he used dishonest means. He sat behind me and would open his book behind my back copying answers to questions.

Upon leaving school. father secured a position for me with Mr. Alex Wolcott who was the County Surveyor. When I called upon him, he thought I was too small and didn't see how he could use me. Father insisted that he take me, and that I would serve without pay as he wished me to be occupied out of doors in order to regain my health. Mr. Wolcott consented for me to come the next morning and bring my lunch along. That eventful morrow was the 23rd of May, 1871 and my activity began from that moment and serving without pay.

Our office was in the Courthouse and City Hall which stood in the middle of the square where the present Courthouse and City Hall stands today. We were on the floor above the basement or County Jail facing Washington St. Just prior to the Fire, two additions were built to the Court House one extending it to La Salle St. from the west face of the building to be the City Hall Annex and the other extending to Clark St. from the East face of the old building and was called the East wing of the Old Court House.

I will recall a few events happening during the first six months of my career as a helper to a surveyor. During August of 1871 we were called to survey and lay out an 80 acre tract of land extending from 77th to 79th and from State St. to South Park Ave. and belonging to Judge Henry Fuller. Our party consisted of the Engineer Jos. P. Esch, two helpers and myself. It was a warm day and there being no house in the vicinity it devolved upon me to find a place to care for our coats, lunches, etc. I selected a fine large oak tree, and soon had everything in shape so that horses and cows grazing around could not get at them.

On my last trip up the tree I was suddenly startled by a buzzing and being stung. You can imagine I lost no time in getting down with an army of hornets after me, Grandpa was no poor sprinter in those days, and it must have been a run of over a thousand feet before I came to a halt and took stock of what happened. I was stung so badly it took over a week to recover. The miscreants were yellow jackets, known as hornets, their sting being more poisonous than that of a bee. The dinners and coats were safe next to the hornet's nest but they had to be removed at dinner time. This was done by using fire brands and clogging up the entrance to their hive with paper. You can bet that Grandpa was not the clogger. The hive was then cut from the tree and brought to the office as a trophy, I mention this latter fact as it was put into a vault which was used as a storage place and was one of the few things saved in the office from the ravages of the Great Fire.

Another impressive event occurred on Oct. 5th (four days before the Fire). We, the same party before mentioned, were making a survey at the S. W. Corner of 26th and Western Ave. a shack was upon the premises and occupied by a squatter, a man named Denis Nolan. We were just about through with our work when he pounced upon us with a shotgun. Arguments were out of the question and we did not lose much time in getting away while he followed us with gun in hand and threatened to exterminate us if we came back again.

THE GREAT FIRE

At midnight, Sunday, Oct. 8, 1871 we were aroused from our slumbers by father's upholstery foreman, a Mr. Hauschild, who said the whole downtown portion of the city was ablaze. We lost no time in starting, and naturally had to walk as there were no such luxuries as mid-night street cars. We were four in the party- father, Hauschild, brother Charley and myself. We crossed the river by using the LaSalle St. tunnel which at that time had a walk for pedestrians located along the east side of the tunnel. The entrance and exit to this walk was at the N. S. of North 'Water St. on the Northside of the river and at the alley N. of Lake St. on the south side.

Arriving at Lake and LaSalle Sts., brother Charley left us at the office of his employer, Mr. Aug. Bauer, which was at the S. W. corner. 'When we reached the N. W. corner of Clark and Randolph (the present Sherman House Corner) I left father and made my way to the Court House where we had our office in order to help save some of the field notes, instruments, etc. I was not permitted to enter as the policeman at the entrance said the dome was already burning.

I then left for father's store, where he and Mr. Hauschild went to save his books. The fire was moving fast. the heavens were lit up so that you could read a newspaper. The sky was filled with sparks as plentiful as flakes in a snow storm. The store was located at 73 Randolph St. about 80 feet West of the N. W. corner of State St. The structure was a 4 story and basement brick building about 40 feet wide. and iso feet deep to an alley, and the office was located on the ground floor at about the center of the store. When I came in, father directed me to go to the rear of the store and he on guard so that we were not trapped by the fire. To the east of our store was the Brown and Bohner Crockery and Queensware store. In those days, they received their goods in crates, packed with straw, and it happened there were quite a number of empty crates with straw in them stored on the platform at the alley. The air was filled with flying sparks and I was kept busy extinguishing the fires, but I finally had to give it up as they got beyond my control. I ran to the front to tell father to get out as the rear of the store was on fire. He had just finished packing his hooks when the gas light went out and we hurriedly left. (weeks afterward I was told that the gas was turned into the sewer from the plant to prevent an explosion at the works which were at that time located on the N. S. of Adams St. from Franklin to Market.)

On leaving the store by wav of Randolph St. we proceeded east by going to State St., thence north on State to Kinzie St. I shall never forget the scenes on our way, as it was one thrill after another and no telling what would happen next. The streets were jammed and crowded with people carrying bundles or pushing hand trucks. Really, I never saw so many of these trucks used before. You were permitted to help yourself to anything you wanted in all the stores as everyone knew nothing would be left in less than another hour. I have often marveled and remarked "Whatever became of that multitude that was downtown at the night of the fire?" It was estimated that over 200 people lost their lives and I have never heard that it exceeded that number. but my guess would be thousands instead of hundreds.

After leaving the store and going north on State St. we passed the alley north of Randolph where everything was ablaze and as we crossed Lake St. fire burst from all the basements east and west of State Street. In those days basements were entered by stairs leading down from the sidewalks and not from the inside. We reached State St. bridge which was of wooden construction and got safely across. We were among the last to cross as the top of the viaduct had already caught fire.

On reaching the north end of the viaduct (about 100 feet S. of Kinzie St.) we encountered an area of dust and dirt, similar I now imagine to a sirocco or what a sand storm on the desert of Sahara must be. When we did emerge, we were covered with dust and dirt from head to foot and looked like Ethiopians. My mouth was filled with dirt and I was almost suffocated and had 1t not been for father who held my hand while going through this ordeal, I should have perished. When we did reach Kinzie St. (S. W. cor. State), we_sruck a fine breeze of clear air and rested about ten minutes. On looking south in the direction of State and Randolph Sts., we beheld a sight I shall always remember. Now bear in mind, the heavens were lit up so, that you could read a newspaper and the sky was full of sparks. At an elevation of say, a thousand feet, we saw what appeared to us to be large planks, joists or timbers aflame and floating leisurely eastward towards the lake.

We never could figure out what really was burning or held this mass in suspense. About ten years ago (1925) down in Sarasota, Fla., while reminiscing about the fire with Joseph Downey our former Building Commissioner, I brought up this subject. He said he witnessed the same spectacle and concluded that the burning mass was composed of galvanized iron cornices. They were carried high in the air when the burning buildings collapsed. At that time, nearly all brick buildings had galvanized iron cornices and those constructed for about thirty years thereafter were made of the same material. Regarding this spectacle, I am of the opinion today, (Oct. 9, 1935), that it was composed of charred or nearly consumed joists or boards still aflame and carried aloft when buildings collapsed.

While standing at the same place and looking towards the North, I noticed the skeleton of the Holy Name Cathedral spire which was then being constructed at the S. E. Cor. of N. State and Huron Sts., topple over to the East several hours before the fire reached that neighborhood.

We reached our home on Sedgwick St., South of Oak St. at about 3:30 A. M. and there was no thought of going back to bed. By daybreak friends began to arrive at our home with their families and belongings, many of them unloading their goods in our yard.Father beseeched them to move on to the suburbs as he felt sure that our home would be destroyed before the day was over. We must have fed fifty persons at breakfast.

Father was very nervous and excited when we returned from our midnight trip. He ordered us children to put on our best clothes, feeling that we would lose everything. The fire crept on; nearer and nearer. Finally, about 3:00 P. M. our home was consumed. We managed to save two express wagon loads of our household goods. Brothers Charley, Frank. Aunt Bertha and little Anna Kohn had charge oi the first load and landed with it about 100 ft. north of the N. E. corner of Noble and Chicago Avenues, having secured permission to store the load in a low basement. Father, Mother and I, and our Newfoundland dog, Felix, dumped part of our load on the prairie South and East of North Avenue bridge where thousands of other families were herded with their belongings. It was a sight never to be forgotten.

We left our big dog in charge of part of our goods on the prairie and proceeded with the same expressman to meet the balance of our family at Mach's place as arranged. We all did meet there and had enough room. It was a three story frame house. The top floor was not occupied and was tendered to us and accepted. The first floor was Mach's saloon where the old Germans of the better class congregated and gossiped over a glass of beer. The second floor was his home. The building was 100 feet N. of the N. W. cor. of Canal and Randolph now occupied by the North Western Depot. We were not far from the downtown fire, only across the river, and of course we did not know what minute we would have to move again. For a whole week, the nights were almost made daylight by the reflection of the fire from the ruins and of the burning grain elevators. There were quite a few in that vicinity.

The next morning October 10th, Frank and I returned to North Avenue bridge where our load of goods with the dog were left and found them intact. Our immediate neighbors of the prairie were not so fortunate to find cover and naturally were obliged to camp out of doors overnight. A slight shower drenched them-the first drop of rain in over nine weeks. They told us that robbers had attempted to break open our bureaus and other cases, but were driven off by the savage attacks of our faithful dog. He was a funny sight to see. Having had nothing to eat, the poor animal found amongst our goods a five gallon crock of goose grease which mother had prepared for family winter use. The crock was almost empty and his head was a mass of plastered hair from the melted goose grease. You can imagine his joy when we got there. We made arrangements to have our belongings moved the same day.

Our occupancy of the Mach habitation lasted a week before we could find a place that looked a little more home-like. It was a cottage at the N. W. corner Sampson (now W. 13th St.) and Throop St., two blocks west of Blue Island Avenue. Memo-As a boy I kept a diary from the time I started to work of my day's doing;s and observations and have kept one to this day. My mind was refreshed in comparing facts with dates, etc., from this diary.

You have all seen the picture of the “Kerfoot Block." This was the first building erected after the fire and you can say it was built while the fire was still burning. I will give a little story of its construction and occupancy. It was built of wood, size about 20 ft. by 15 ft. deep. The exterior was made in sections, each a side of the shanty as we called it. On Tuesday morning, Oct. 10th, operations in construction were begun at Rietz Bros. Lumber Yards, located at the S. E. corner of Lake and Canal extending east to the river and south to within 100 feet of Randolph St. (This is the opposite side from the Mach place where our family landed the night before.) The builders were Geo. Birkhoff. Sr. and Wm. A. Merigold. Wednesday evening. the following day, the Sections were hauled through the burnt district to 89 Washington St. the ante-fire location of Mr. Kerfoot's office. While the ruins were still smoldering, the shanty was erected m the middle of the street as it was impossible to find any other place.

In about a week, the ruins had cooled off and the shanty was moved on the lot. The exact location is between what was the J. B. Hobbs Bldg. and the U. S. Express Building on the N. S. of Washington St. between Clark and Dearborn Sts. and about opposite to the entrance of the Chicago Title and Trust Building. On Thursday morning, Oct. 12th, we moved the office of the County Surveyor consisting of a desk to the Kerfoot Block. There were about a half-dozen others to whom Mr. Kerfoot accorded this privilege. There were no partitions in the building. I was installed as office boy, having charge of the care cf the Block which was quite an honor as it automatically made me the first janitor in the Loop. I think it was sometime in February 1872, that we moved into the ruins of the Court House which was temporarily fitted up by the County for the use of its offices. Thus ended my career as janitor.

I will now give you briefly an idea how things looked in the area of the burnt district after the fire which extended approximately from Harrison St. on the South, the Lake on the East (with the exception of two grain elevators at the mouth of the river-one of them still standing in 1936), Fullerton Ave. on the North, West by the River to Orchard St. also portion of the west Side North of Bunker St. and East of Des plaines and South of Harrison St. The South Side or business portion was completely destroyed and buildings collapsed (all brick buildings) with a few exceptions. Those left standing were the Post Office, East and west wings of the Court House (also the walls of the old building). Tribune Building, First National Bank, Nixon Bldg. being a new building at Northeast corner Monroe a1id LaSalle, the exterior walls of the Grand Pacific Hotel which is now covered by the Continental National Bank Bldg. were standing. The Lind Block at the Northwest Cor. Randolph and Market was left intact and not destroyed, it being the only block that escaped the holocaust on the South Side. The streets were impassable on account of the ruins of the fallen walls but were practically cleaned up in a week. On streets where the street cars ran, the rails were warped bv the heat and in instances scattered about the street.On the North Side the majority of the improved streets were all built between nine feet high stone walls about four feet wide on the base and battering on the lot side to a top of eighteen inches wide. The space between these walls was filled with ashes, broken stone, etc., and the surface of street finished in most instances with Nicholson pavement which was then in vogue. This pavement consisted of pine blocks, four inches wide and six inches high, set one inch apart between rows running from wall to wall. The space between the rows of blocks was filled with ~mall gravel. These wooden blocks rested on a one inch board foundation, tarred, which in turn rested on a three inch sand filler. The top was then tarred thoroughly and finished off with a small gravel covering. In many instances where the gravel had been worn off, the blocks were burned and the pavement destroyed. The ruins left a peculiar view as the improvements were nearly all wood. including sidewalks, and naturally burned to the ground. The grades of the street improvements were raised from four to six feet above the natural surface, making the stone walls holding the streets look like fortifications. It was lucky that grandfather was becoming a surveyor, otherwise we probably could not have found where our old home stood.

A photograph of the East wing of the old Court House ( as they called it) can be seen hanging in the Chicago Title & Trust Co. office, showing Clark St. from Randolph to Washington Sts. one year after the fire. Our office is located in the second story the sign resting on the window sill reading "County Surveyor's Office”. The top floor was about 150 feet North and South hy 80 feet wide and the story was about 30 feet high. The roof rested on steel trusses and was covered with slate. There were many nooks and corners in the roof which were occupied by countless pigeons. Access to the roof was had by a 30 foot ladder which I scaled time and time again bringing home many squabs. The offices in the old ruins were occupied for about a year.

The City was being rapidly rebuilt. Father rebuilt the old home at 160 Sedgwick St. in 1874 and sold the place in 1886. I remained with Mr. Wolcott until Dec. 31. 1880 and embarked in the surveying field for myself Jan. 2, 1881. I was busy in my chosen occupation from that moment until my retirement Feb. 1. 1933, making a record of sixty-two and one-half years in one occupation.

On Dec. 23, 1883, I was married to Fannie Canmann of St. Louis. Our union has, and will continue to be a most happy and contented one. There were born to us, five children, Helen, Charlotte, Lisa, Paul and Carl. We lost Lisa at the age of three from typhoid fever. It was a sad blow. She was a remarkable child, having the mentality of children far beyond her age. It took us a long time to get over this shock. Helen is now Mrs. Albert Heller, Charlotte, now Mrs. Edward M. Steele and both boys as yet have not changed their names-well you know what I mean- they are still single. We have four grandchildren, and taking it all in all we have had many family reunions and manage to be a happy lot. I could write a volume on the lovable character, traits etc which are endearing to married life and a happy home. When I say that I am the luckiest and happiest of mortals to possess such a partner in life, it is putting it mildly and I know that it will always remain so.

You want to know something about Chicago and principally its growth. If I do say so, I hardly think there is anyone now living that is more qualified by having witnessed its marvelous strides. It was my privilege to have come in contact with the leaders in the large enterprises of the city. My work was in all parts of the city and county, and naturally I could not help but see and know what was going on. Mr. Wolcott, my old employer, was an early settler, coming here in 1834: his uncle with the same name, Dr. Alex Wolcott came in 1820 being the doctor at Ft. Dearborn. He married John Kinzie's daughter. Through Wolcott's office and associations I became acquainted with nearly all the prominent old settlers living at that time, as his office was the mecca for old settlers and politicians. I have personally known nearly every Mayor Chicago has had.

STREET CARS

As near as my recollection serves me, the following street cars drawn by horses existed in 1872 on the west Side: The Milwaukee Ave. line started at State and Randolph, west to Halsted, north to Milwaukee Ave. then to Augusta Street and car barn. Madison St. car started at State Street, and west to Rockwell. Randolph Street line started at State St., west to Union Park, then to Lake St. then to Western Ave. Blue Island Ave. line ran west from State and Madison to Halsted, south to Blue Island Ave., thence to 14th St. The car barn was south of S E. corner 12th St. Clinton and Jefferson St. cars ran west on Randolph from State St. to Clinton. South to 14th (single track), west to Jefferson, north to Harrison; east to Clinton; north to Randolph, east to State Street. I believe there were only two cars on that line and it took over an hour to make the trip. There were no cross town cars in the City at that time. If you rode from one side of the city to the other it would necessitate paying two fares as they were separate companies and gave no transfers.

North Side Cars All cars started at Clark and N. Water Streets and did not cross the river. Clark St. cars started at this point and stopped at Wrightwood Ave. From here a steam car called a Dummy ran up to Diversey St. and then on Broadway to Graceland Ave. thence west to Clark St. or entrance to Graceland Cemetery. Larrabee St. cars ran west from Clark St. on Chicago Ave. to Larrabee St then north to Lincoln Ave. Clybourn Ave. line ran west from Clark and Division to Clybourn Ave. thence northwest to Clybourn Place. Sedgwick St. line ran west from Clark and Division to Sedgwick thence north to Menomonee St. South Side Cars Main line was State St. cars, a loop was created at Madison, north to Randolph, east to Wabash Ave. and South to Madison, west to State thence back south to 35th St. The car barns were at 33rd St. at the southwest corner. Archer Ave. cars ran same route as today ending at the car barns on the east side of the south bank of River, east of Ashland Ave. Cottage Grove cars turned east from State on 18th St. to Indiana Ave. thence southerly to 22nd and Cottage Grove Ave. thence south to 39th St. then by a Dummy I believe ran south to 55th then east to Lake Ave. There were no Indiana Ave. cars. The stock yards cars ran west from State St. on Root St. to Halsted. Soon after the fire, busses started running on W. 12th St. with Terminal at Ashland Ave. and on the north side from downtown on Clark St. to Chicago Ave. west to Sedgwick, then to Centre. That was about all the transportation we had in the early Seventies. The cable cars were introduced I believe in the early eighties, first on the south side, then west side and last on the north side.

The elevated roads were started in the nineties also electric cars and busses. The south side "L" was built in time for the World's Fair of 1893; the west and north

side lines later. The proposed passenger transportation subways are still to be built and it looks as though I will not live on long enough to see them. Our office made the surveys in 1930 and work was to be started in 1931.

The first high building was built in 1883, the Chicago Opera House and it was ten stories high and was erected where the Conway Building now stands. In 1890, the first skyscraper the Tacoma Building, was built. It was thirteen stories high. From that time on, skyscrapers were built for office, hotels and mercantile buildings. I believe the first apartment skyscraper was erected on S. W. Cor. State and North Ave. A great many have been erected, but practically none since 1930. It has been our privilege to make the surveys of not less than 85% of the sky scrapers erected.

Our Park System and Boulevards is the largest and the most beautiful and wonderful in the world. It would take at least two to three days of driving a car to see them by going over the Drives alone without stopping to see all that would be interesting Within the past few years, all the parks-- there were about twenty each with officers and directors-haw been consolidated into one system and are managed by one board. It is expected that a great saving will be made for the taxpayers. Let us hope so.

I will now conclude by giving you some of the larger activities that I was engaged in during my life occupation. For the Sanitary District: Making a survey of the Chicago River, from its mouth to Western Ave. locating and establishing all Block corners adjoining same for future identification. Survey for the Park Commission The entire Lake Front, from the Indiana State line to the Wisconsin line. The Northwestern elevated Railway: Selection and location of right-of-way with all buildings with reference to their lot lines a block or more on each side of their right-of-way. The Chicago and Northwestern R. R. Co., Depot Site with track elevation including territory to Western and Northern City Limits locating all Block corners for subways. The Union Station Site (Pennsylvania R. R.) with connections South and East to Indiana State Line and West to Rockwell Street, and South to City Limits. The straightening of the South Branch of the Chicago River from Polk St. South to 18th St. including the complicated boundary line settlements between the numerous Railroads.

Rush and Delaware 1894

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 20:21:00 GMT

Survey of lot 4 and the East 12′ of lot 5.

Lets take a look at what is there now:

Well, it just so happens that I have been surveying this property for the past couple of years now. This block is known today as the 900 N Michigan building.

It is an air rights division comprised of retail, condo, and hotel properties. It also has a garage division on the west side of the block that I have updated time and time again.

Here is an image:

This doesn’t look at all like what it did back in the day and I cannot find any running notes in the subsequent pages. Lets try to translate:

“Survey lot 4 and the East 12 feet of lot 5 in the subdivision of lots 1 and 2 in block 13 of C.T. sub of the south fractional quarter section….Charles Siegmund 81 Dalaware Place”

” I give record distance from Rush St and agree with BK Beu East line of original lots.”

As you can see on the sketch, Michigan ave was pine street at that time.

Also, from my previous surveys of the block the only alley that remains is the tiny 10′ alley East of Rush street that also has a vertical component to it in its current alteration. Said alley also runs North the entire length of block 13.

I am curious as to what the dashed line means that runs North to South along the sketch, is this the original line of Lake Michigan? If so, it is very far away from its current state.

Note: The figures in black are from Peltzers atlas.

Schaumburg Township 41, July 23, 1840

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 21:41:00 GMT

This one seems kind of overwhelming at first. The pages are so battered and torn that it is hard to decipher some of what is going on.

What I do know is that this is a survey of Township 41, Range 10 and I presume to be a full breakdown of the township.

I will do my best.

What I can see is that the surveyor measures just about 80 chains or 5280 feet for each section and I am curious as to how these measures where made. As you can see, most of Schaumburg was marshland at this time.

Sections were surveyed from south and east to the north and west the sections got narrower on the north end, being the reason for the errors distributed on the north end of the township. You can see this at the top of the sketch.

Lets see this error in sections with a more current example:

As you can see all of the streets above North Ave. are offset to the East a bit just as we see in the sketch of the Township.

Lets now try to decipher the running notes. I dont think that I put them in the correct order.

“I subdivide this township 41 Range 10 of the 3 principal meridian at the same variation of 5 degrees, 50 minutes at which the eastern boundary of said township was surveyed established by measuring chain and compared with the standard chain found to be of the right length. All the east and west subdivisional lines were run at a course of N 87 degrees 30 minutes East and run parallel with the south boundary of the township. North between sections 35 and 36 T41 north R10 east of the 3rd principal meridian.

16.00 chains= Left Marsh

35.00 chains= Entered another marsh bearing east

39.50 chains= Left the same as above

40.00 chains=Raised a mound in which set a quarter S corner post. Land all rich soil but too flat and met for cultivation.

80.00 chains= Deposited 2 quarts of charcoal 3 inches below the natural surface of the earth and one the same raised a mound in which I set a post corner to Section 25,26,35 and” 30 something I cannot make out due to the lack of paper.

Land all rich in 1st rate prairie cultivation.”

Just noticed a notation in the township sketch that indicates “Sarahs Grove” did a map search:

” East on a random line between sections 25 and 36 T41…..

40.00 chains= set a temporary quarter section corner post

79.72 chains= Intersected the east boundary of the T41 N R 10E, 27 links South of corner to sections 25 and 36 from which corner I run. West on a true line between sections 25 and 36″ again notating the township and range.

“39.86 chains= raised mound on a true line at average distance in which I set a quarter South corner post, land all rich in 1st rate prairie and fit for cultivation.

79.72 chains= the corner to sections 25,26,35 and 36. Land all rich in 1st rate prairie and fit for cultivation.”

Thence

“North between sections 25 and 26” again noting the townshiptownship and range.

“15.50 chains= Entered marsh bearing east and west

19.50 chains= Left the same

40.00 chains= Raised a mound in which I set a quarter south corner post. Land all rich with 1st rate prairie and fit for cultivation.”

The rest of the page is torn and illegible.

Continued run:

“80.00 chains= deposited 2 quarts of charcoal 3 inches below the natural surface of the earth and over the same raised a mound in which I set a post corner to sections 23, 24, 25, and 26 in township 41 N Range 10 east of the 3rd principal meridian.Land all rich in 1st rate prairie and fit for cultivation.”

Thence

“East on a random line between sections 24 and 25 T41N,R10E of 3rd PM.

40.00 chains= set a temporary quarter section corner post.

79.80 chains= Intersected the east boundary of T41N,R10E at corner to sections 24 and 25 from which corner I run.

West on a line between sections 24and 25” 25 I think, paper is torn.

“34.10 chains= entered marsh bearing north and south

38.60 chains= Left the same

39.90 chains= Raised a mound on a tree line at average distance in which ate a quarter south corner post. Land all rich in 1st rate prairie and fit for cultivation.”

The rest of the page is torn in undecipherable.

The remaining pages seem to be very similar in describing the distances the surveyor measured to the particular types of land found along said measures. This is true, in its definition, surveying the land.

In a modern day scenario it is very similar, only the objects being described are more established and, most of the time, surveyed/documented once before. Lets roll on to the last page and see if that has a different story than the last couple of pages.

As we can see the last page is the same as all the rest, raising a mound and depositing charcoal. Although you may think that these notes are repetitive and inconsequential, they hold a key into the past that determine the outcome of future boundaries in the area and, at times, hold precedence in land disputes.

Maxwell and Union January 28, 1881

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 21:49:00 GMT

I believe this survey to be done by Eckstein for Stein and Baumgarth of lot 8 in Nutts subdivision of lots 1,2, and 3 in block 64 of a subdivision of the Southwest quarter of section 21-39-14.

We can see that he starts off the survey with measuring from a point 66.00 west of a line of brick at the SE corner of Union and Maxwell. They measure West:

100′ 3 1/2″ to the west line of a brick, occupation

200.5′ to a fence line, occupation

250.85 to the West face of a fence. occupation

276.1 to the east face of a house

377.3 to the west face of the same house

430.45 to the line of Halsted as run.

He ran Halsted by a brick at the NE corner of Kramer and by pulling 66.00′ E of a brick that was 100.00′ South of Maxwell.

By running this line the surveyor finds that there is a brick on the South side of an alley South of Maxwell that is 2″ into the street and makes a note that this agrees with other monuments found along said line.

The measurement to this line leaves him with a surplus of 2.45 which is 0.5725 per 100′

You can see that the surveyor calls out for 100.56 and thus places the east line of lot 8 at 201.12 West of the West line of Union along Maxwell and the Alley.

He then figures out that the depth of the lot measures 90.00′ from evidence on the East side of Union and confirms this on the West side of Halsted. He makes a note that the depth agrees with occupation.

Lets see what the area looks like currently:

Jackson and Hermitage January 8,1881

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:54:00 GMT

Here we see a survey done of lot one in block 3 in Ashland addition to Chicago, being a re subdivision of the overall Chicago subdivision. This survey seems to also require a vertical component in the Chicago City Vertical Datum system. I am sure I will cover more on CCD, or Chicago City Datum, in later posts as they arise.

Owner of the property seems to be C. Roehl with the owners address being at 135 Madison. The property we are surveying is at the intersection of Hermitage and Jackson. Lets see what is there now:

So it seems to be a lot different. Probably a vacation of Hermitage and re dedication further to the east. Ogden looks to be in the same place. At the bottom of the notes it looks like it says grade 14.00 and a benchmark that was noted at 15.62 on some sort of building base at Van Buren. Which makes sense since building bases are about a foot or so above the walk and 14.00 seems about right for grade CCD in this area. Actually 14.00 seems just about right for most of downtown and surrounding properties being that this area is pretty much flat. On to the next page.

These are the running notes for the line of Jackson, everything is in reference to the line and is notated as such. So it seems like the surveyor found a monument at the North East corner of Ogden and then pulled 66.00′ south of it, which is a record distance, and also by a brick building at the South West corner of Ogden. In the city builders typically make use of the entire lot and build to a zero lot line which means that the buildings become monuments unto themselves.

The surveyor then ran the line of Ogden by the same stake found prior, but this time calls it out as being the NE corner of Jackson for they are running the line of Ogden and there is no need to reference Jackson again. For this line they are also using a brick building found on lot 9 in block 3: refer to the sketch.

Next the surveyor measured North along the west walk of Hermitage starting at 2″ north of a water table at the NW corner of Hermitage because, I am guessing, that they found the water table to be 2″ over the property line.

So North along Hermitage from the North line of Van Buren, as run:

Measure=

51’10” to north face of Brick,

150’4″ to 3 found nails,

250’6″ to N line of a brick,

250’6 half” to N face of stone coping,

315.05′ to a fence, Occupation

396′ 10 and a quarter” to the south line of Jackson as run previously

So, for line run to line run= 396.85′

They then tell us that the prorated lot line would then= 56.35′

You can see some of the record dimensions in the first sketch, but cannot make out the last number so, I would then need to dig further and consult the original subdivision numbers. I do not have these on hand so I cannot verify the proper pro ration. Lets assume they are correct.

They then run the line of Hermitage by 66.00′ N of a mark at the SE corner of Jackson, puts a tie of 14.00 to the curb, and by a brick at the NW corner of Van Buren. They make a mark on a fence that is 25 1/2′ South of the South line and 1 1/2′ West of the end of the fence. This makes the fence 1 1/2′ into the street. 18″ as you can see on the final sketch.

After this the surveyor places the South line of the lot by pulling a distance of 15.52′ Northerly along Ogden from a brick building at the N line of lot 9 and from there pulling another distance of 57.46′ to get to the NW corner of Lot 1. Then setting up on the Southerly line of said Lot and turning a right angle to place a monument at the intersection of the 2 South lines.

Here are the surveyors final dimensions:

You can see at the South West corner of the sketch that they have an elevation called out. I believe this to be a mark in a telephone pole which is 1′ above grade. Grade assumed to be +14.00 CCD.

Legacy at Millennium Park Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 21:04:13 GMT

Gremley and Biedermann were contracted to do Alta/ NSPS surveys, Air Rights Division, historical facade location, building/ damage control and skybridge locations. The historical facade was to remain as construction of the 73 story building took place behind.

Guinness World Record Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 21:02:53 GMT

PLCS was asked to calculate the height of the tallest stack of mattresses for the Guiness book of World Records.

The Art Institute of Chicago Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 21:00:49 GMT

James Schaeffer and Schimming were contracted to provide layout control for all aspects of the project. From laying out the building control to anchor bolt locations JSS equipped the entire site with the precision and accurate structural placement it took to complete the job

U505 Submarine Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 20:58:25 GMT

Being one of the most unique looking buildings in Chicago, the Aqua was a challenging project. Gremley and Biedermann provided our client with an air rights division that separated the condominiums, the apartments, the commercial and the hotel parcels horizontally and vertically. The four were then presented in a three dimensional depiction so that the client had a better vision of what is taking place.

The Aqua Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 20:56:24 GMT

Central Station Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 20:53:39 GMT

Gremley and Biedermann were contracted to prepare the "Central Station Subdivision" which required a large amount of field work to complete. With the use of field notes from our vast library of historic documents and current field analysis, we were able to determine the boundary line configurations. With the uses of state of the art equipment G & B were able to gather the information in a quick and accurate manner.

Chicago White Sox Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 20:51:53 GMT

James Schaeffer and Schimming was assigned the task of locating certain structural elements for the extension of safety netting.

Wrigley Field Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 20:10:43 GMT

When the Cubs needed more space in the bleachers, they came to PLCS. When the Chicago Sun Times wanted to know how far Glenallen Hill's home run really was, they called PLCS. Over the years PLCS has been providing service to the home of the Cubs. Specifically, Gremley and Biedermann have prepared topographic surveys while James Schaeffer and Schimming provided construction control for the parks restoration.

Trump Tower Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 20:07:23 GMT

Since 1930 Chicago Guarantee Survey has been preparing plats of survey for the Old Chicago Sun Times building. As you may know that building was demolished to make way for Trump Tower. All three of our companies have had a hand in the creation of the tower. Chicago Guarantee did the original Plat of Survey before construction started. James Schaeffer and Schimming worked on various layout and quality control tasks. Gremley and Biedermann then prepared the air rights division separating the commercial, residential and hotel parcels.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

University of Chicago Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 20:04:06 GMT

Over the past four decades Chicago Guarantee has been doing work for, and around the University of Chicago. Recently we provided preliminary topographic information for the quad restoration project. After the plans were finalized Chicago Guarantee then supplied the layout necessary to bring the project to completion.

Soldier Field Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 19:53:17 GMT

While Grem ley and Biedermann did the initial boundary and Topographic survey, James Schaeffer and Schimming were contracted to layout almost all aspects of the project. From column line control to grade staking, James Schaeffer and Schimming had their hands in every piece of the construction layout process. Since Soldiers Field needed to be completed in a hurry, our crews worked 24 hrs a day to complete the task on time

Willis Tower Land Surveys

Mon, 09 May 2022 19:51:19 GMT

Throughout the years Gremley and Biederman have been contracted to create ALTA/ NSPS surveys as well as vertical locations at various locations within the property.