English astronomers Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon surveyed the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland between 1763-1767. The Mason-Dixon line was extended to present-day West Virginia in 1779. The surveyors had to deal with many different hazards, not the least being the Native Americans living along the survey route. Even though the survey team had Native American guides, hostile residents kept the party from reaching their goal 36 miles further west. This stone marks their halting spot on Brown’s Hill.
Step 1: Posted coordinates are near an historical marker at the Park. Read the sign to find the year the "western end of the original Mason-Dixon Line was set..."
Step 2: Take the year and: A = year - 1497 B = year - 1829 Final is at N39 43.A W80 07.B The path begins behind the log cabins up in the field.
The first several hundred feet of the trail is very steep, but there are benches along the way to rest. Much more can be learned by visiting the park or through the internet at http://www.vicoa.com/mason-dixon/. Please keep in mind that the park closes at dark, and to park only in designated areas.