The Division of Geology and Land Survey enjoys
a long and celebrated history
in Phelps County.

Sesquicentennial celebration planners organized a parade and activities in Rolla to mark Phelps County’s 150th year June 2. The Department of Natural Resources was well represented by staff from the Division of Geology and Land Survey who entered floats in the parade. Participating in the county's Sesquicentennial parade was an honor for the division. Historical reenactments and interpretations were also part of the day’s events. Bob Priddy from “Across Our Wide Missouri” was guest speaker.

The event was held in conjunction with the 13th Annual Route 66 Summerfest, a celebration held in downtown Rolla encouraging summertime fun and the adventure of Route 66. “A Step Back in Time” was the parade theme. Civic organizations, government agencies, business, academia and individuals were represented in each of the fifteen decades in the Saturday morning parade. The parade began at the high school parking lot and traveled through the city, continuing to the courthouse.

Staff from the Land Survey Program entered the parade in the 2000 decade, highlighting professional land surveyors. The float showed the bridge from past land surveyors to present day land surveyors, with the theme, “Land Surveying—Bridging the past to the future.” The float depicted a land surveyor from the 1800s, one from present day and tools used past and present.

The Geological Survey Program placed an entry in the 1900 decade. A unique aspect was the 225-pound piece of calcite crystal that sat inside an authentic ore cart, once used in mining. The calcite is one of several to win a gold medal at the 1904 World’s Fair in St Louis. In addition to the ore cart, a large ore bucket filled with choice rocks and minerals, was also onboard. Accompanying the rocks and minerals was a geologist representing Chief Henry A. Buehler (who carried a rock pick that was Buehler’s). Chief Buehler was State Geologist and Geological Survey Director from 1908-1944.  Mimi Garstang, state geologist and director of Division of Geology and Land Survey maneuvered the float through downtown Rolla and Bill Duley, deputy director for the division portrayed Chief Buehler.

Created in 1853, the Division of Geology and Land Survey enjoys a long and celebrated history in Phelps County. The division is the department’s oldest, having observed its 150th birthday in 2003. Phelps County was established Nov. 13, 1857.