| Land Surveying in Alabama has a long history, | | | | the pre-established boundaries of a plot of land. |
| dating back to colonial times. At one time, there | | | | Land surveyors in Alabama must follow strict |
| were British, French, and Spanish settlements in | | | | requirements, in part to prevent such land |
| the area of present-day Alabama, all at the same | | | | disputes that required so many surveys in |
| time. Its borders changed over and over from its | | | | Alabama's past. All surveyors must certify that |
| first settlement in 1663 until Alabama became a | | | | their maps, plats, and drawings are completed in |
| state in 1821. With so many changes in Alabama's | | | | accordance with the current Standards of Practice |
| borders over time, it is no wonder that land | | | | for Surveying in the State of Alabama. These |
| surveying played a large role in the state's | | | | standards are required by the Alabama State |
| development. | | | | Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and |
| In fact, the first officially surveyed boundary of | | | | Land Surveyors; if they are not followed, the land |
| the United States, conducted by Major Andrew | | | | surveyor may lose their license. In addition to |
| Ellicott from 1798 to 1800, ran through Alabama | | | | state requirements, Alabama land surveyors must |
| territory along the 31st parallel North. The only | | | | also comply with standards set by federal and |
| stone monument set by Major Ellicott during this | | | | local government agencies. |
| survey, known as the Ellicott Stone, sits today in | | | | Surveyors in Alabama must use up-to-date |
| Mobile County, Alabama, along the North bank of | | | | equipment and methods for the smallest possible |
| the Mobile River. The Ellicott Stone is also the initial | | | | margin of error in their measurements; there are |
| point for all Public Land Survey System surveys | | | | minimum accuracy requirements set by the state |
| conducted in the Southern parts of Alabama and | | | | for all surveys. All boundary surveys must be |
| Mississippi during the early and mid nineteenth | | | | accompanied by physical monuments marking the |
| century. | | | | corners; these boundary monuments themselves |
| Today, land surveyors continue to play an | | | | must meet a set of standards set by the state |
| important role in Alabama's development. Because | | | | of Alabama. Regulations govern every aspect of |
| of the long history of land surveying in Alabama, | | | | surveys conducted within the boundaries of |
| many surveys conducted today are known as | | | | Alabama, from initial measurements to the final |
| "retracement" surveys, in which a modern | | | | plat map. |
| surveyor retraces previous surveys to determine | | | | |