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Rectangular Surveys: Difference between revisions
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==== Principal Meridians and Base Lines ==== | ==== 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.<ref name="Hawkins">Kenneth Hawkins, ''Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office: Record Group 49'', Reference Information Paper, 114 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007), 9. {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}} {{FHL|1440124|item|disp=FHL Ref Book 973 J53hrL}}</ref> Each color-block in the following map shows the states, or part of a state, surveyed | 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.<ref name="Hawkins">Kenneth Hawkins, ''Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land Office: Record Group 49'', Reference Information Paper, 114 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 2007), 9. {{WorldCat|146498814|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}} {{FHL|1440124|item|disp=FHL Ref Book 973 J53hrL}}</ref> Each color-block in the following map shows the states, or part of a state, surveyed using that area's principal meridian and base line. | ||
[[Image:U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png|647px|U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png]] | [[Image:U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png|647px|U.S. Principal Meridians and Base Lines.png]] | ||
For a larger version of this map, [http://www.blm.gov/cadastral/meridians/pmmap2.jpg click here], and then click again to further enlarge it. | For a larger version of this map, [http://www.blm.gov/cadastral/meridians/pmmap2.jpg click here], and then click again to further enlarge it. | ||
==== Numbered Townships and Ranges ==== | ==== Numbered Townships and Ranges ==== | ||