Episode 14 - Taking Measure

A growing need for infrastructure and order brings new innovations to Biscayne Bay, as visions of immense engineering efforts begin to germinate.

George MacKay’s survey of Survey Township 54 South, 41 East, which includes the majority of downtown Miami. The original Spanish donations to the Egans and Lewises were resurveyed, and the remaining area platted into squares according to the Public Land Survey System.
Source: LABINS

Gerdes’ 1851 sketch of the proposed Key Biscayne baseline.
Source: Tilghman, James. "Taming the Reef: The Coast Survey in the Keys." Tequesta, no. 71, 2011, pp. 5-58.

Detail of US Coast Survey triangulation of Biscayne Bay and the Florida Reef.
Source: HistoryMiami

US Coast Survey triangulation of Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys, and the Florida Reef.
Source: HistoryMiami