Rectangular Surveys

United States Land and Property  Rectangular surveys

In the United States, depending on the state, one of two main survey systems have been used to determine the borders of property:


 * the older metes and bounds primarily used in state land states
 * the newer rectangular surveys (also known as Congressional township rectangular surveys) primarily used in federal land states

The Land Ordinance of 1785  established the Public Land Survey System. Land was systematically surveyed into square "Congressional" townships, six miles (9.656 km) on a side. Each of these townships were sub-divided into thirty-six sections of one square mile (2.59 km²) or 640 acres. These sections could then be further subdivided for re-sale by settlers and land speculators.

Principal Meridians and Base Lines
The rectangular survey system is based on principal meridians  and base lines  determined by precise scientific measurements. As each territory or state opened new public lands, the government identified a meridian (running north and south) and a base line (running east and west) to guide all future land surveys in that area. Each color-block in the following map shows the states, or part of a state, surveyed on the same principal meridian and base line.



For a larger version of this map, click here, and then click again to further enlarge it.

Numbered Townships and Ranges
Numbered townships were laid out in tiers north and south of the baseline; numbered ranges were laid out east and west of the meridians. The intersecting lines of townships and ranges formed a checkerboard or grid of townships. For example four townships south of the baseline, and three ranges west of the principal meridian is an easily identifiable in the Rand McNally's Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide found at most large libraries.



Numbered Sections
The basic unit of the Township and Range System is a section. A section contains 640 acres. Thirty-six sections in a square pattern, (6 miles by 6 miles), makes up a township. The following diagram shows the numbering of a township:

6          5           4            3           2           1 7           8           9           10         11          12 18         17         16          15         14          13 19         20         21          22         23          24 30         29         28          27         26          25 31         32         33          34         35          36

Each township has a range line and a township line. Together they create an address for that township within the boundaries of the Principle Meridian and Baseline. Begin counting where the principal meridian and baseline intersect. If the township address is T2N R3E, it means that the township is two sections north of the baseline, and three sections east of the principal meridian. Similarlly, a township address of T3S R1W would be three sections south of the baseline, and one section west of the principal meridian.


 * To find the Principle Meridian for the state you are researching check the following website:

www.blm.gov/cadastral/meridians/meridians.htm


 * For further discussion on Township and Range:

www.rootsweb.com/~ilmage/landmaps/range_map.html or

www.outfitters.com/genealogy/land/twprangemap.html


 * See Land &amp; Property Research in the United States, by E. Wade Hone, FHL US/CAN 973 R27h, chapter 8.