Map symbol

pepperj · Dec 1, 2015

I'm having a :icon_scratch:

and can't seem to find out the meaning of this symbol in the picture which is from a 1870's historical map, which is a plus sign inside a circle.

ARC · Dec 1, 2015

Well...
an "X" within a circle = Abandoned.
In most situations.

This appears a + sign as you say... letme looksee...
This map looks sorta familiar to me for some reason.

ARC · Dec 1, 2015

X and O separated often mean "special items" as well.
Combined... it can mean "tree stump" in low water or marsh lands.

pepperj · Dec 1, 2015

AARC said:
X and O separated often mean "special items" as well.
Combined... it can mean "tree stump" in low water or marsh lands.

The whole country was in stumpage in the early 1800's. :laughing7:

Crappies-n-Coins · Dec 1, 2015

Cemetery

pepperj · Dec 1, 2015

AARC said:
I need some more info on this map.

PM sent

pepperj · Dec 1, 2015

Crappies-n-Coins said:
Cemetery

They're marked with a larger cross or CM usually on the maps.

Isaac · Dec 1, 2015

I'm following this, looks interesting!!!

Crappies-n-Coins · Dec 1, 2015

pepperj said:
They're marked with a larger cross or CM usually on the maps.

If you're close enough to one of the areas you're asking about, you might go check it out. You may find the areas in question are smaller family cemeteries.

Dakota Sioux · Dec 1, 2015

Water Well?

tamrock · Dec 1, 2015

A well is what I'm thinking also.

ARC · Dec 1, 2015

Um... Not a well.
Wells were mostly spelled out "well" Spring" etc...
IF abbreviated... "W".
Now I said MOSTLY". heh

G.A.P.metal · Dec 1, 2015

A salt lick....that`s my guess !

ARC · Dec 1, 2015

Just to throw this out there...
From the late 1700's (1790's) to the late 1800's the + sign represented a church.
The circle around it may indicate something "about" the church.
But ?

Msbeepbeep · Dec 1, 2015

Maybe Catholic?

Ant · Dec 1, 2015

I can recall from my map reading classes that the map maker is responsible for making a legon that should depict what the symbols on his map represent. Here's some of the symbols that the USGS uses on their topographical maps, the X is a mining prospect and the O a landmark: