[188]       

Von Schmidt State Boundary Monument

San Bernardino County, California
(Belongs to Clark County)
  35.01426, -114.66182

"Well, this is it. As far away from Nevada as I can get in the State Marker System. The stats are daunting enough -- more than ten hours away from my home in Carson City. If I've driven this far in my effort to catalog every state marker then I think my loyalty stands true. Von Schmidt's marker is certainly in the middle of nowhere and while I was expecting a long drive, I sort of expected a little different setting ... perhaps closer to the Colorado River. Instead, downing a Dew or two at the original steel column, pen in hand, camera around my neck while the breeze conjures up the spicy aroma of creosote bush ... and the thought presses away. I suppose if I imagined enough I could probably force the sound of a swirling eddy or two. I'm sure by the time this is all over people will ask whether I have an interest in capturing historical markers in other states ... specifically, the Golden State well-disguised at this particular location to look like Nevada. It would be easy enough to start after all. The nearest and next California marker is only ten road miles from here. But the Silver State is enough. While I can't say the idea doesn't intrigue me, I feel my allegiance stands Battle Born. Besides. I still have too much to do. #188 conquered." -- Journal Entry, March 2009

Along Needles Highway, 1 mile south of the Nevada state line
 * From SR 163 (1 mile west of Laughlin), head south on Needles Highway for 7 miles *

Original Date Visited: 3/16/09

Signed: This marker has never been signed by the SHPO since it's located within California and out of the jurisdiction of Nevada. The closest thing we have is a sign for California's SHL 859 (CA's "Von Schmidt Marker") -- Northbound side of the road.

A Nevada Historical Marker ... In California?
We present you with a very interesting marker! Yes folks, you read that correctly. As ridiculous as it sounds [188] was placed over the line in the Golden State. The "Needles Highway" is a useful backroad for both Nevada and California and is well-marked from SR 163. Depending on the season traffic may or may not flood this route. Nevada has upgraded their Needles Highway to a four-lane boulevard, but things get very different upon crossing the state line! The California portion of road is horrible and in dier need of repair, and despite this, it gets crowded very quickly during the summer. It's regular for motorists to take this narrow, potholed road at 65mph - not only a dangerous venture, but impossibility as you try to spot this marker.

[859]

Here's the kicker. If it wasn't for California signing their version of the Von Schmidt Boundary (SHL 859), you'd never know this marker was here. To make things even more interesting, this one sits well back from the highway making it nearly impossible to see from the road. For any signage to occur in the future it would have to be a collaborative effort between NDOT and CalTrans. This marker has never been signed by the SHPO since it's located within California and out of the jurisdiction of Nevada. NDOT placed this marker so far back from the pavement that even catching a glimpse of it in the corner of your eye will be a stroke of luck, so don't expect to find it on a first attempt. I speak for myself that if I hadn't seen the sign for SHL 859 in my rear mirror I could've easily kept on driving! Here is the view you'll get as you pass the marker. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

[188]

Keep your eyes peeled about 1 mile south of the state line for the giant sign to the AVI Casino. This will be the junction "Aha Macav Parkway." The turnout for Von Schmidt is literally seconds of this junction on the left. The signage for SHL 859 is on northbound side with nothing at all on the southbound side. In other words if you see the photo above you've already passed this marker. Turn around and head back the way you came. Good luck!

  • [188] Dawn falls on these remote markers
  • [188] Marker 188 plaque
  • [188] Can you spot the marker?
  • [188] This is about as far away from Nevada as you can get
  • [188] We never thought wed have to leave Nevada to conquer a Nevada historic marker!

Exact Description:
This marker commemorates the iron column erected in 1873 at the southernmost tip of the boundary survey line run by Allexey W. Von Schmidt, U.S. astronomer and surveyor. The line dividing Nevada and California was based on preliminary geodetic work by Lieutenant Joseph Christmas Ives. Ives determined the Colorado River end of the proposed oblique California-Nevada boundary. Von Schmidt calculated and ran the first complete survey of the boundary. His solar observations erred slightly--the actual line now being 3/4 mile to the north.

[188]

   Marker Superlative
- [188] is the southernmost Nevada historical marker -- 1 mile south of the Nevada state line in California
- Lowest Nevada historical marker in elevation -- 466 feet above sea level!
- Only Nevada historical marker located in another state

California Historical Marker #859
As you know, [188] shares its space with California's SHL 859 -- Von Schmidt Marker State Boundary Monument. Here is a brief tribute to this one!

[859]

Exact Description:
This marker commemorates the iron column erected in 1873 at the southernmost tip of the boundary survey line run by Allexey W. Von Schmidt, U.S. astronomer and surveyor. The line dividing Nevada and California was based on preliminary geodetic work by Lieutenant Joseph Christmas Ives. Ives determined the Colorado River end of the proposed oblique California-Nevada boundary. Von Schmidt calculated and ran the first complete survey of the boundary. His solar observations erred slightly--the actual line now being 3/4 mile to the north.

This boundary monument, a cast iron column erected in 1873, marks the southern terminus of the California-Nevada State Boundary established by A.W. Von Schmidt's 1872-73 survey. Von Schmidt's line, the first officially recognized oblique state line between California and Nevada, erred slightly. The boundary was later corrected to the present line, 3/4 mile to the north.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 859.

Next Marker:

 SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD YARDS 

Related Links & Markers:

  Marker Superlatives  CHL No. 859 Von Schmidt Boundary Monument (CA Landmarks) 

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