Osgood in Ripley County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bilby Steel Tower

0.6 miles

Photographed By Amy Buskey, October 31, 2021

1. Bilby Steel Tower Marker

Inscription.

Jasper Sherman Bilby, internationally known surveyor, moved to Ripley County by 1893. Joined U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1884. He performed geodetic surveys, accounting for the curvature of the earth, for commercial and infrastructure purposes. Invented Bilby Steel Tower, 1926-27; improved efficiency and cost. Herbert Hoover commended Bilby's invention in 1927.

Bilby's tower allowed surveyors to sight over obstacles when measuring long distances. Made of steel instead of wood, they were reusable, portable and quickly assembled. Saved federal government $3,072,000 within first ten years of use. Used nationally and internationally for over 50 years; the resulting data served as foundation to modern mapping and GPS. (Marker Number 69.2016.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 39° 7.084′ N, 85° 16.966′ W. Marker is in Osgood, Indiana, in Ripley County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 421 and County Road W300N, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 421. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1245 W 300 N, Osgood IN 47037, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Crusher Lane (approx. half a mile away); The Bilby Tower (approx. half a mile away); Bilby Loop (approx. half a mile away); Willson House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ohio and Mississippi Railroad (approx. one mile away); William Forsyth, Artist (approx. one mile away); James Harrison Cravens (approx. one mile away); John Andrews, Master Craftsman (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Osgood.

Photographed By Amy Buskey

2. Bilby Steel Tower Marker

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 19, 2022

3. Bilby Steel Tower Marker

Bilby Steel Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Amy Buskey

4. Bilby Steel Tower

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2021, by Amy Buskey of Cincinnati, Ohio. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on January 1, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2021, by Amy Buskey of Cincinnati, Ohio. 3. submitted on September 24, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on October 31, 2021, by Amy Buskey of Cincinnati, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.