The Four Corners Monument is a well-known location, where it is essentially possible to stand in four states at one time.
This unique monument relies on a rare geographic style that sees the boundaries of four US states combine in one common location.
This location is the only one in the US which features four states at one point. In this article, we look at the monument in more detail.
Which four states are part of the Four Corners Monument?
The Four Corners Monument is located in the south-west of the United States. As mentioned, four states combine into one small area.
The states in question are Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
Origins of the Monument
Several changes in state boundaries in the early 1800s paved the way for the monument to be possible. These changes were caused by a mix of treaties, wars and even a concede of land.
By 1901, the four borders had been properly surveyed, meaning the monument was ready for completion. After further surveying, which had the intention of ensuring the monument was accurate, the official opening took place in 1931.
Since then, the monument has been a constant, with it surviving major events like the Second World War, Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis – to name a few. It is still going strong!
Recent history
There have been various reconstructions at the monument. 1992 witnessed a reconstruction, which largely is still seen at the site to this day. The most recent reconstruction came in 2010.
The monument has been open for several years. The only exception to this is during 2020 and 2021, when, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the site was closed.
There have been numerous controversies in the past regarding whether or not the location is where it should actually be. The difficulty of getting the geographical location to be perfectly accurate is substantial.
But while it may not be entirely 100% accurate, the site is still largely correct! The important thing, at the very least, is that it represents the four borders.
Tourism
Nowadays, the monument is a popular tourist attraction. An admission fee is necessary to reach the monument. The point where the four states actually meet consists of a small bronze circle on a larger, granite circle.
The words “Here meet in freedom under God four states” appear on the intersection of the monument. There are two words in each of the states.
The boundaries of each state are clearly shown. There is an abundance of souvenirs and food available too on the outskirts of the monument.
A common picture that people take involves a person positioning themselves so that they appear in all four states at once.
The Takeaway
Overall, the Four Corners Monument is a very popular location, and one of the rare places on Planet Earth where you can be in four places at once!
The monument can be approached by any of the four states, and many people make it a must-visit on a trip to the United States.
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The title image “Four Corners Monument” comes courtesy of Creative Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. With thanks to Rich Torres, author of the image.
