Understanding the Term: Point of Beginning
What Is a Point of Beginning?
The ‘Point of Beginning’ (POB) is a foundational term used in land surveying, particularly within the Metes and Bounds surveying system. It refers to the precise location that a surveyor uses as the starting and ending point of a survey. This point is essential to accurately describe and define the boundaries of a parcel of land.
In a Metes and Bounds survey, the surveyor begins at the POB—typically a well-known landmark or a fixed point that can be easily identified by subsequent surveyors. From this point, the survey progresses by specifying distances and directions (angles) in a sequence, ultimately returning to the original starting point to create a closed loop, ensuring the tract of land is evenly enclosed.
Examples of a Point of Beginning
Example 1:
Imagine a surveyor starts at the center point of a well-documented street intersection in the town. They state, “Beginning at the center of Main Street and First Avenue…” From there, the survey expands out to define the corners and edges of the property in question, eventually coming back to the same intersection, completing the enclosure of the tract.
Example 2:
A tract of farmland begins at a marked corner where an old oak tree stands, a landmark widely recognized during the historic establishment of property boundaries. The description might read, “Commencing at the aged oak tree at the northwest corner,” and then iterate the direction and distance to every corner and boundary edge until it returns to the oak tree.
FAQs about Point of Beginning
What is the significance of the Point of Beginning in surveying?
The POB ensures that surveys remain consistent and verifiable, enabling surveyors to accurately and reliably establish land boundaries.
Can the Point of Beginning be any landmark?
Usually, the POB is a strong, identifiable landmark that has legal recognition or established stability, such as the intersection of two streets, a survey marker, or a durable natural feature like a large tree or rock.
What happens if the Point of Beginning is not well established?
A poorly determined POB can lead to ambiguities and potential disputes over land boundaries. Thus, utmost accuracy and verification are crucial in establishing the POB.
Is the POB marked on official documents and maps?
Yes, the POB is generally noted in the official legal description of the property and marked on survey maps to ensure clarity and precision.
- Metes and Bounds: A system of land description where boundaries are defined by measurements of direction and distance.
- Tract: A defined area of land. In a survey, the tract is the area contained within the described boundaries.
- Survey Marker: A physical marker placed by surveyors to denote key points used in their measurements (e.g., property corners, POB).
Online Resources
- National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS): Provides standards and resources for professional surveyors.
- US Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Offers historical and technical information on land surveying and boundary establishment.
- Boundary Survey Guide by LANDPKS: A tool to understand and execute boundary surveys using technology.
References
- “Instructions for Conducting Cadastral Surveys in Alaska (Manual)”, US Bureau of Land Management, 2020.
- “Professional Surveyor” magazine, May 2019 Issue.
- “Surveying Principles and Applications” by Barry F. Kavanagh.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Brown’s Boundary Control and Legal Principles” by Walter G. Robillard and Donald A. Wilson
- “Surveying: Principles and Methods” by Alfred Leick
- “Interpreting Land Records” by Donald A. Wilson
Point of Beginning: Fundamentals Quiz
### What is a Point of Beginning?
- [x] The starting and ending point of a land survey.
- [ ] The midpoint of a property's boundary.
- [ ] The lowest elevation point in the surveyed land.
- [ ] A temporary marker used during construction.
> **Explanation:** The Point of Beginning is the precise location where the survey begins and ends, establishing a closed loop to define a property.
### What kind of system commonly uses the Point of Beginning?
- [x] Metes and Bounds
- [ ] Public Land Survey System
- [ ] Cartesian Coordinate System
- [ ] Grid Surveys
> **Explanation:** The Point of Beginning is a cornerstone of the Metes and Bounds system, which uses physical measurements and directions.
### What is a crucial feature of a well-defined Point of Beginning?
- [ ] It should be within the middle of the property.
- [x] It must return to the same location to close the survey loop.
- [ ] It should be dynamic and change with updates.
- [ ] It should be represented digitally.
> **Explanation:** A proper POB must be well-defined and consistent, allowing the survey to close correctly by returning to the original point.
### A suitable landmark for a Point of Beginning could be:
- [x] A well-documented street intersection.
- [ ] The nearest lamp post.
- [ ] A temporary construction marker.
- [ ] The corner of a wooden fence.
> **Explanation:** Ideal landmarks for POBs are those that are permanent and well-documented, ensuring accuracy and verifiability.
### Which occupational role relies heavily on the accurate determination of a Point of Beginning?
- [x] Surveyor
- [ ] Real estate agent
- [ ] Architect
- [ ] Urban planner
> **Explanation:** Surveyors rely on the accurate determination of POB to ensure the precise establishment and mapping of property boundaries.
### In the legal description of property boundaries, the Point of Beginning is:
- [x] Often the first mentioned element.
- [ ] Never mentioned.
- [ ] Sometimes included if relevant.
- [ ] Added as an appendix.
> **Explanation:** The POB is typically the first mentioned element in the legal description of property boundaries to establish clarity and accuracy from the outset.
### How does the Point of Beginning contribute to resolving boundary disputes?
- [x] Provides a clearly defined reference point.
- [ ] Serves as temporary solution
- [ ] Offers financial settlements.
- [ ] Determines ownership automatically.
> **Explanation:** The POB provides a clearly defined reference point that can be used to resolve boundary disputes by referencing the accurately delineated survey.
### How is the Point of Beginning documented by surveyors?
- [x] Using precise measurements and identifiable landmarks.
- [ ] Through random selection.
- [ ] By community vote.
- [ ] Using ephemeral points.
> **Explanation:** Surveyors document the POB with precise measurements and identifiable landmarks to ensure reliability and verifiability over time.
### How does Metes and Bounds surveying progress from the Point of Beginning?
- [x] It follows specified distances and directions to describe the boundary.
- [ ] It circles outward in radial patterns.
- [ ] It's an abstract mapping without fixed references.
- [ ] It focuses on geographic coordinates alone.
> **Explanation:** Metes and Bounds describe boundaries by measuring distances and directions from the Point of Beginning around the property until closing the loop at the POB.
### Why is returning to the Point of Beginning vital in a survey?
- [x] Ensures the boundaries are enclosed and accurately defined.
- [ ] Standards require repetition.
- [ ] Simplifies drawing processes.
- [ ] Increases the property's value.
> **Explanation:** Returning to the POB is vital to ensure boundaries are enclosed and accurately defined, avoiding ambiguities or potential disputes over the area covered.
