Joseph C. Brown

Who was Joseph C. Brown?

Joseph C. Brown was a surveyor in the United States who made several major surveys in the Louisiana Territory.

Among his notable surveys:

Initial point of the Fifth Principal Meridian - Brown established the initial point of the Fifth Principal Meridian which was to be used for surveying lands in the Louisiana Purchase in the states of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. Brown established the baseline on October 27, 1815 at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Prospect Robbins surveyed north from the mouth of the Arkansas River on the Mississippi. Where the two lines met was the Initial Point which is in Louisiana Purchase State Park in Arkansas.

First plat of St. Louis, Missouri - Brown's starting point in the survey was the home of Auguste Chouteau

Indiana Territory Line between Missouri and Indian Territory - Brown surveys the line south from its origin at the confluence of the Kansas River and Missouri River and then surveys the Missouri-Arkansas line. Virtually all Native Americans south of the Iowa line were to be moved west of line.

Santa Fe Trail