New geodetic techniques and computer technology are providing scientists in the United States and other countries of North America with the precise tools needed to modernize the North American horizontal and vertical geodetic control networks—a web of geodetic survey monuments that spans the continent. When the project is completed in 1987, it will provide an improved base for mapping and engineering projects, crustal motion studies, inventories of natural resources, land parcel recordation, and the launch and recovery of space vehicles. In particular, the earth scientist will have available, in an instant, 100 years of historical geodetic data in computer‐readable form, supplying valuable information on crustal motion and earthquake prediction.The National Ocean Survey (NOS) through one of its main line components, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), is responsible for the geodetic mission of the United States government. This task began on February 10, 1807, when the Congress enacted legislation proposed by President Jefferson to perform a ‘Survey of the Coast of the United States,’ thereby creating the first federal scientific agency. The first work performed was the measurement of two baselines and an 11‐station triangulation network in the vicinity of New York City during the period 1816–1818 [Powell, 1976], The first geodetic leveling survey was made during 1856 and 1857 by the U.S. Coast Survey (renamed the National Ocean Survey in 1970). This survey, directed by G. B. Vose, was in support of a detailed study of tides and currents in the vicinity of New York Bay and the Hudson River [Berry, 1976].