If you look at a map of South Dakota where it borders Montana, you will see a straight line with a kink of about one mile. Everywhere else the border is a straight line. The kink does not benefit any local landowner, and no other states are involved.
Why is the kink there?
Is is because of South Dakota Highway 20.
ReplyDeleteIn the late 1960's, the short stub between Akaska and U.S. 83 was redesignated as South Dakota Highway 20 Spur. SD 20 was extended northward along U.S. 83 to U.S. Highway 12, then through Mobridge and across north central and northwest South Dakota, absorbing the alignment of what had been South Dakota Highway 8.
Got this info from Wikipedia.
www.guessthelogo.blogspot.com
I would guess that the pen/pencil that was drawing the line hit a kink in the table when the map was being drawn.
ReplyDeleteThe one mile kink is not associated with any physical or geographical feature of the landscape. When first surveyed, two teams were sent out; one from the North and one from the South. They missed each other. It was easier to put the kink in the border than to redo the survey!
ReplyDeleteI second Mike. He is correct. I remember reading that fact but can't remember any details - year and who was involved.
ReplyDelete