Every land surveyor has heard it, “we can’t find the corner”. That statement sounds simple enough. The monument isn’t there, so naturally the corner must be lost, right? Not so fast.

In boundary surveying, there’s an important difference between an obliterated corner and a lost corner. Sometimes, finding that difference is where the real detective work begins.

An obliterated corner means the original monument has disappeared, but enough reliable evidence remains to identify its original location.

Maybe there’s a call in a deed to an old fence post or a chestnut tree along a common line. Field notes, maps and other references may help as well. The monument may be gone, but the surveyor still has a trail to follow.

A lost corner is a much tougher situation. A corner is lost when the original monument is gone, and there isn’t sufficient evidence remaining to determine its original location.

A truly lost corner must be reestablished using applicable surveying principles, legal requirements, records and procedures.

So next time you see a surveyor walking in circles, or appearing like they are lost in the woods, there’s usually a good explanation. They are probably looking for an old fence, buried monument, witness tree, iron pipe or neighboring corner.

A missing monument doesn’t automatically mean a lost corner. Sometimes the monument is gone. When the evidence stays, we follow the trail all the way to the answers.