Legal Definitions - Monument

In legal terms, a "monument" primarily refers to a permanent, physical marker used to define the boundaries and corners of a piece of land. These markers can be natural features already existing on the land, such as a distinctive tree or a large rock, or artificial objects placed there by surveyors or property owners, like an iron rod, a concrete post, or a stone pillar. When a legal document, such as a deed, describes a property, it often references these monuments to precisely identify the property's limits.

Less frequently, "monument" can also refer to a written document or record that serves as conclusive evidence of a legal fact or transaction.

• Example 1 (Natural Monument): A property deed for a large rural estate describes one of its boundaries as running "from the center of the old sycamore tree at the river's bend, eastward to the large, flat granite slab."

  Explanation: Here, the old sycamore tree and the large, flat granite slab are natural monuments. They are permanent, physical features on the land that are specifically referenced in the legal description to define the property's boundary points. Should there ever be a dispute over the exact property line, these natural markers would be crucial evidence for determining the correct boundary.

• Example 2 (Artificial Monument): During the survey of a new commercial park, the corners of each business lot are marked with a brass cap set into a concrete cylinder, embedded flush with the ground. Each cap is stamped with the surveyor's registration number.

  Explanation: The brass caps set into concrete cylinders are artificial monuments. They are man-made, permanent fixtures intentionally placed by a surveyor to precisely indicate the corners of each commercial property. These physical markers are essential for future owners, developers, and construction crews to accurately locate the boundaries of their respective lots.

• Example 3 (Artificial Monument - Historical): An ancient land grant from the 18th century refers to a property line running "along the stone wall built by Farmer McGregor, to the large iron cross erected by the mission at the crossroads."

  Explanation: The stone wall built by Farmer McGregor and the large iron cross erected by the mission are artificial monuments. These are man-made structures that were permanent fixtures at the time the land grant was created. Even centuries later, if these monuments still exist, they would serve as critical physical evidence for understanding and re-establishing the historical boundaries of the property.