'Corner Crossing' at checkerboard Fed/Private survey corners may be a protected right - or not

[California]

My great-grandparents lost a farm they had homesteaded when that checkerboard railroad land grant was put through their land subsequently. They and neighbors raise $20k, a huge sum in 1870, for an attorney in DC. He disappeared and they had to start over elsewhere.

But eventually they did ok, and gave developed farms to each of their several sons.

 

[California]

All railroad land was given like this. Why, I don't know as it's only created issues later on.

It took huge incentives for any private company to build the first transcontinental railroad across near-useless western desert.

The partnership of Gold Rush barons including Leland Stanford (Stanford U) were able to persuade Congress to give checkerboard land as part of the payment for the project.

The value of their new, developable land made the railroads into an even more powerful factor influencing Congress.

 

[Torvy]

And then the railroads built in a circuitous route to increase the miles and the land they were granted.

 

[ponytug]

This case has been percolating along for quite some time.

@Snobdds Thanks for the local insights and behind the scenes color. Have you seen the corner in question? I've read a few articles, and none of them have a photo. I'm just curious how the fencing is actually done.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Chewwy]

Well, I know him so...

People put a lot of faith in google.

And a lot of faith in people posting on websites such as this. The info on the owner of the property is a matter of public record.

The property owner

*“has a history of multi-million-dollar philanthropy, a long track record of conservative political donations, a complex inventory of land transactions in Carbon County — including the donation of several conservation easements — and a willingness to litigate.”

*from Wyofile.com — WyoFile is an independent, member-supported, public-interest news service reporting on the people, places and policy of Wyoming. The organization incorporated in 2009 as a Wyoming 501(c)3 nonprofit, and is a member of the Institute for NonProfit News.

 

[bcp]

The federal and state governments made far more then the value of the granted land in reduced freight rates and increased taxes.

One example:



Bruce

 

[Chewwy]

I can picture the scenario I think. They cross a corner where they theoretically aren’t touching his ground with their feet but their shoulders arms etc are trespassing. If I’m picturing it correctly he is correct, it would be trespassing and if he fenced his ground they could only get across it by climbing his fence.

Lots of things going on here from a legal point of view, easement by necessity, adverse possession, estoppel and some other things I can’t think of. The bottom line is he is just being a pain in the behind.

Here is pic of the corner in question.

 

[Jstpssng]

This is a BS

The federal and state governments made far more then the value of the granted land in reduced freight rates and increased taxes.

One example:

View attachment 811957

Bruce

Ancient history. The public land is STILL publicly owned land.

 

[bcp]

Ancient history. The public land is STILL publicly owned land.

I agree. I got sidetracked about the RR land grant comments.

Bruce

 

[ultrarunner]

Pole vault?

Helipad to fly in and out?

Tunnel???