Rectangular Survey System Quiz
Township-and-range grid impacts on borders (10 questions).
Rectangular Survey System Quiz: Quick Study Notes
The Rectangular Survey System, also known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), is a method used to survey and describe land in the vast majority of the United States. Established by the Land Ordinance of 1785, it created a standardized grid of townships and ranges, profoundly influencing the geopolitical landscape, property ownership, and the straight-line appearance of many state, county, and local borders, particularly across the Midwest and Western states.
Key Aspects of the Rectangular Survey System
Established by the Land Ordinance of 1785 to systematically divide newly acquired Western territories for sale and settlement.
Based on a grid of Townships (6×6 miles) and Ranges, subdivided into 36 one-square-mile Sections.
Led to distinct, straight-line boundaries for states, counties, and individual property parcels across much of the US.
Utilizes Principal Meridians (north-south) and Baselines (east-west) as fundamental reference points for surveys.
Key Takeaways
- The PLSS (Rectangular Survey System) was a critical tool for westward expansion and land management in the United States.
- It imposes a uniform, rectilinear pattern on the landscape, contrasting with older metes-and-bounds systems.
- Townships are 6×6 mile squares, divided into 36 one-square-mile sections (640 acres each).
- Principal Meridians and Baselines serve as the fixed points from which surveys extend.
- The system has shaped the characteristic grid-like appearance of many agricultural areas and urban layouts in the western U.S.
- It influenced the creation of straight-line political boundaries (e.g., state, county) where natural features were absent.
- Section 16 in each township was typically reserved for public education, funding schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rectangular Survey System?
It’s a method of land surveying developed by the U.S. government to parcel out public lands for sale and settlement, primarily in the Midwest and Western United States. It creates a grid of townships, ranges, and sections.
When was the Rectangular Survey System established?
It was established by the Land Ordinance of 1785, and further refined by the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
How large is a township in the Rectangular Survey System?
A standard township is approximately 6 miles by 6 miles, covering 36 square miles or 23,040 acres.
What is the purpose of a section within a township?
Each township is divided into 36 sections, each 1 mile by 1 mile (640 acres). Sections are the primary unit for describing individual land parcels. Historically, Section 16 was often designated for funding public schools.
Which U.S. states primarily use the Rectangular Survey System for land division?
Most states west of the Ohio River (excluding Texas and parts of California, Hawaii, and Alaska) were surveyed using this system. This includes states like Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and all states west to the Pacific Ocean (except areas with pre-existing Spanish/Mexican land grants).
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