Legal Definitions - landmark

Landmark refers to two distinct concepts in a legal context:

• First, a landmark can be a physical feature or object that defines a property boundary.

  This feature, whether natural or man-made, is referenced in legal documents like deeds or surveys to precisely mark where one piece of land ends and another begins. It provides a fixed, identifiable point for establishing property lines.

  • Example: An old property deed for a rural farm describes its western boundary as running "from the large sycamore tree at the creek bend, north to the stone wall."

    Explanation: In this scenario, the "large sycamore tree at the creek bend" functions as a landmark. It is a specific, identifiable natural feature used to legally establish a corner or starting point of the farm's boundary, ensuring clarity about the property's extent.

• Second, a landmark can refer to a building, site, or structure recognized for its historical, cultural, or architectural significance.

  These landmarks are often protected by law to preserve their unique value for future generations, preventing their alteration or demolition without special permission.

  • Example 1: The city council designates a 19th-century opera house, known for its intricate Victorian architecture and role in local arts, as a protected historical landmark.

    Explanation: The opera house is considered a landmark because of its significant architectural style and its historical importance to the community's cultural development. This designation often comes with legal protections to ensure its preservation.

  • Example 2: A state preservation society successfully lobbies to have the site of an important Civil Rights movement protest declared a national historic landmark.

    Explanation: Here, the protest site is recognized as a landmark due to its profound historical and cultural significance to the nation's struggle for civil rights. Its designation ensures its protection and commemoration as a place of national importance.