The Land Ordinance of 1785 marks the beginning of the Public Land Survey System.
When did the Public Land Survey System begin?
The “rectangular survey system” was first proposed by Thomas Jefferson and enacted into law by the Land Ordinance of 1785 . To handle the rapidly increasing surveys, public land sales, patents, and land entries, Congress created the General Land Office in 1812.
Why was the Public Land Survey System developed?
The PLSS was established by Congress in 1785. Its purpose was to partition public lands into small, clearly-defined units so that settlement of the western United States could proceed in an orderly way .
Who was the original surveyor who began the Public Land Survey System?
The Public Land Survey System is a method surveyors use to describe land parcels. Often abbreviated PLSS, this system was first used in the 1700s when the United States first began expanding west of the 13 colonies. In fact, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the PLSS was developed by Thomas Jefferson .
What is the US Public Land Survey System?
The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is a way of subdividing and describing land in the United States . PLSS surveys, which are available for portions of land in 30 southern and western states, are made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The PLSS typically divides land into 6-mile-square townships.
What is Glo in surveying?
U.S. Department of the Interior. The General Land Office (GLO) was an independent agency of the United States government responsible for public domain lands in the United States.
Where are long lots found?
Areas settled under French influence used the “long lot” land survey system. To take advantage of water front locations, settlers received long, narrow grants of land along the rivers. These lots are characteristic of French settlements in Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan .
Do section lines run north and south?
The work of dividing the townships into sections starts at the southeast corner and extends across the township to the north, taking a tier of sections at a time and always working from south to north. The section lines are run parallel to the east township line rather than due north.
What are the characteristics of a subdivision plat map?
It should contain standard features, such as a location map, title block, scale, and dimensional and zoning information . A basic site plan may be accompanied by other plans that detail landscaping, utility corridors, building design, easements, lighting, soil erosion control, stormwater management, and more.
Which type of survey system is also known as the Public Land Survey System PLSS )?
of the United States
The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is the surveying method developed and used in the United States to plat, or divide, real property for sale and settling. Also known as the Rectangular Survey System , it was created by the Land Ordinance of 1785.
Where is the rectangular survey system used?
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 .
Where is the Principal Meridian?
Meridian, First or Principal
The Principal Meridian, sometimes referred to as the Winnipeg Meridian, ran northward from a point on the 49th parallel 10 miles (16 km) west of Pembina , where astronomical observations had been made to determine the exact position of the parallel in that location.
What is the metes and bounds system?
Metes and bounds are the boundaries of a parcel of real estate that identified by its natural landmarks . ... A metes and bounds legal description starts from a point of beginning, then traces the outline of the property’s boundary lines until there is closure in the legal description.
How do I read a PLSS map?
A parcels complete PLSS description is read from left to right so the location above would be read as the south 1/2 of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 14 , Township 2 south, Range 3 west.
What is a survey system?
The Survey System is the most complete survey software package available for all types of questionnaires and research projects from web, phone, PDA , or paper questionnaires . This exceptional survey software package is ideal for mixed-mode surveys, which combine two or more of those methods.
What is a range in surveying?
Range (Rng, R): A measure of the distance east or west from a referenced principal meridian, in units of six miles . Section: An approximately one-square-mile block of land. There are 36 sections in a survey township.
