CROXTON PIONEER MEMORIAL PARK - MET MANUAL TRAIL EVALUATION – April 20, 2015
	UTM location of the Carsonite marker place in the north east corner of the park 10T 0474122 E
										4699637 N – Jim Ford

This analysis was based on the Research Principles, Methods and Guidelines noted in the OCTA MET MANUAL.

General Principles Are:
Probability:
‘…the exact location of an emigrant trail segment cannot be verified with absolute certainty.  …however, the trail researcher can strive for a higher degree of probability by utilizing…accepted procedures.’

Analogy:
‘The location of a possible trail segment can be authenticated only by comparing and contrasting it with what is already known about other verified emigrant trail.’  ‘documentary and physical evidence’.

The Cardinal Rules:
For ‘an emigrant trail segment to be considered as verified, it must conform to the following ‘Four Cardinal Rules’.  Where conditions exist that any of these four rules do not apply, the probability lever is reduced accordingly.’

1.  Coherence Rule:
‘There must be a linear uniformity so that trail segments form a continuous sequence; i.e., the trail segment under investigation has to link together (cohere) with the trail segments that precede and follow it.’

Linear Uniformity:  There is alignment between the GLO surveyed point south east of Croxton Park on Becon Street, UTM T10 0474797 E
	           	    4699115 N (FN Trails West) Bob Black    
and North West at the Visitors Center GLO survey point at Vine Street on Morgan Lane  
	UTM T10 0473508 
	          4700951 N (FN Trails West) Bob Black.

2.  Corroborative Rule:
‘There must be confirming documentary evidence of the trail; i.e., the trail segment under investigation has to have valid written or cartographic evidence to support (corroborate) its authenticity.’

Documentary Evidence:  The book, ‘Knights of the Whip’ by Gary & Gloria Meier, mention the Croxton land claim and it’s donation to the city as a park.

Written Evidence:  The 1854 Survey locates the Applegate Trail crossing the section line at the North East corner of the park.

Cartographic Evidence:  This surveyed point is located on the 1854 GLO Map.  See map.

3.  Collateral Rule:
‘There must be accompanying physical and/or topographical evidence of a trail; i.e., the trail segment under investigation has to have some geomorphic or artifact evidence (collateral) to confirm it as an  authentic emigrant trail.’

Topographical Evidence:  The 1854 GLO Survey and Map accurately locates this point located at the North East corner of the park.        

4.  Correlation Rule:
‘There must be overall agreement  among all types of evidence; i.e., the evidence resulting from the first three cardinal rules has to mutually support (correlate), and not contradict one another, in order to verify the location of a trail segment.’

YES

Classification Category

Class 4:  Altered Trail
	Description:  ‘The trail location is verified but elements of its original condition have been permanently altered, primarily by road construction, such as widening, blading, grading, crowning, graveling, or paving.  In some cases, the original trail has been permanently altered by underground cables and pipelines.  In other cases, trail segment, whose location are verified, may have been destroyed by natural events or modern developments, leaving no evidence of its original appearance.’

YES