On November 10, 1815, U.S. government survey teams led by Prospect Robbins and Joseph Brown established this Initial Point for the survey of most of the Louisiana Purchase Territory. It marks the intersection of the 5th Principal Meridian and the Baseline survey lines. Only after this point was established and land surveys were conducted outward from it could land grants be issued, settlers, prospectors, and ranchers stake claims, or towns be platted. Here the settlement of the American West began.