Jordan Soil Plots
historical marker
In State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania, you will find the historical marker for the Jordan Soil Plots. This marker was erected by the Penn State Alumni Association. The Jordan Soil Plots themselves were established in 1882 by Professor Whitman H. Jordan. Their purpose was to determine the long-term effects of fertilizers on soil and crops. These plots, originally 144 in number, were located between what are now Curtin Road and College Avenue. Some of these plots remained under study as late as 1959. The Jordan Soil Plots represent Penn State's first large-scale undertaking in scientific research. They are recognized as the oldest continuous fertility test plots in the United States. The exact year the historical marker was erected is not explicitly stated in available records, though it was documented in 2019. This site is historically significant as Penn State's first large-scale scientific research undertaking and for its role as the oldest continuous fertility test plots in the United States.