Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, August 13, 2026
I enjoy spotting the little mundane survey markers that are usually overlooked. Besides attempting to mark a permanent location, they often have interesting histories.
For example, a survey marker just over a mile from my house possibly marks the location of an old cabin where George Weyerhaeuser was held captive by kidnappers in 1935. The marker was placed in 1936 and named Kidnap. Fortunately, George escaped and was helped by neighbors down the road.
The marker pictured is near Silver Lake Washington and has the following text stamped on it:
“U.S. Engineer Office, Survey Mark, Seattle Wash, No. A, $250 Fine or Imprisonment”
When attempting to locate the marker in the Seattle survey online databases, I could not find anything. This probably means the marker was placed before 1976.
God gives us a location of sorts. I like the following verses.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:27,28
God promises to hold us in his hand. He will not forget us, and no one can take us away from that location.