Bartlett Garcia Continental Survey Point

The line ran here because of a bad map. The 1847 Disturnell map attached to the treaty put El Paso about half a degree too far north, and it showed New Mexico's southern line both at 32 degrees 22 minutes and eight miles above El Paso, two readings far apart. Bartlett accepted the Mexican latitude in return for measuring longitude from the river; the surveyors made nearly 500 observations of eleven stars to fix the point. The American surveyor Andrew Gray refused to certify it, Washington repudiated the deal, and the Gadsden Purchase settled it.

What the plaque says

Official Scenic Historic Marker Bartlett Garcia Continental Survey Point On April 24, 1851, John Russell Bartlett for the United States and Pedro Garcia-Conde for the Republic of Mexico, erected near here a monument designating 32° 22' north latitude on the Rio Grande as the initial point for the official survey of the U.S.- Mexico boundary. After the Gadsden Purchase of 1853, the international boundary was moved south and the former Mexican lands were ceded to the U.S.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Mesilla Plaza — 7.9 mi
  A plaza laid out in 1848 by people who meant to stay in Mexico, American six years later, a stage stop and Civil War headquarters, and scene of a deadly political riot in 1871.

More markers nearby

• Doña Ana — steps away
• Shalam Colony, 1884-1901 — 0.9 mi
• Doña Ana (1604-1680) — 1.0 mi
• Rio Grande — 5.1 mi