Rectangular Surveys: Difference between revisions

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.<ref name="Hawkins" />  

With careful examination for grid markers, the federal-land-state townships and ranges usually can be identified in a Rand McNally ''Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide''<ref>Rand McNally and Company, ''Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide'' (Chicago : Rand McNally, 1989). {{WorldCat|22500935|item|disp=At various repositories (WorldCat)}}.</ref> found at most large libraries. Each township has a range line and a township line. Together they create an address for that township within the boundaries of their ''principle meridian&nbsp;'' 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 units north of the baseline, and three units east of the principal meridian. Similarlly, a township address of T3S&nbsp;R1W would be three units south of the baseline, and one unit west of the principal meridian.  

[[Image:Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png|647px|Congressional Township Rectangular Survey Grid.png]]