Where: Hennepin, Oklahoma
The most important rock in Oklahoma: The Initial Point, is located in one of the least known spots in the state. This sandstone is located on the Murray and Garvin County line, seven miles west of Davis, Oklahoma. It is also about a mile and a half south of historic Fort Arbuckle.
In 1866, the Reconstruction treaties required the Chickasaws and Choctaws to survey and subdivide their land east of the 98th meridian. by 1870, preparations were made for the subdivision of the Indian lands into congressional townships and sections. Indian territory was so remote from any other established base lines and meridians that the surveyors decided to establish a fictitious base line and meridian. A point near Fort Arbuckle was selected as the starting or initial point, and a line that was surveyed north and south from that point was name the Indian Meridian. The Indian Base Line was placed about thirty-six miles north of the thirty-fourth parallel of latitude, and the intersection of these two lines was established as the Initial Point in Oklahoma.
( from Dr. Mark Micozzi's notes, Department of Cartography & Geography, East Central University)
In 1866, the Reconstruction treaties required the Chickasaws and Choctaws to survey and subdivide their land east of the 98th meridian. by 1870, preparations were made for the subdivision of the Indian lands into congressional townships and sections. Indian territory was so remote from any other established base lines and meridians that the surveyors decided to establish a fictitious base line and meridian. A point near Fort Arbuckle was selected as the starting or initial point, and a line that was surveyed north and south from that point was name the Indian Meridian. The Indian Base Line was placed about thirty-six miles north of the thirty-fourth parallel of latitude, and the intersection of these two lines was established as the Initial Point in Oklahoma.
( from Dr. Mark Micozzi's notes, Department of Cartography & Geography, East Central University)
James and I determined to find this most important rock in Oklahoma. We traveled through Altus, Lawton, Duncan and stopped at Hennepin. We asked the people in a cafe there and learned that the Initial point is on private land, " before Indian Meridian, Lazy S Ranch, you won't miss it". With fences everywhere and no way to contact anyone from the Ranch. As the sun set, we gave up finding the rock. We took the Indian Meridian Road north to Pauls Valley where it ended in front of a new Chickasaw casino, prematurely ending our adventure. We hit the highway and made it back to Tulsa without a hitch.
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