Ever wonder how the Township, Range and Section are determined? Well get ready for a history lesson.
Our story begins in 1785, toward the end of the American Revolution as the U.S. received new land in thanks to the Treaty of Paris. In order for the U.S. to properly assess the new land, the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) was developed to plat or divide real property for sale or settling. The PLSS is now the primary surveying method for the majority of America, excluding the original 13 colonies and Texas.
How the System Works
First, a baseline is established that runs east to west. In Arizona, it’s Baseline Road. Then a principal meridian, which runs north and south is defined. Our principal meridian is the Gila River or roughly 115th Avenue. Next, lines parallel to the baseline are plotted along the map. These are called standard parallels. These three lines, the baseline, principal meridian and standard parallels, form a foundation grid that allows for more detailed survey work.
Township lines that run parallel to the baseline are plotted, typically in intervals of 6 miles. Range lines that run parallel to the principle meridian are plotted, usually in 6 mile intervals.
Once the township is established it is then divided into 36 sections measuring 1 square mile, giving us what we see in our tax records today.
Here is an example using Monsoon.
This property is in section 31, 1 Township north of the baseline and 4 Ranges east of the principle meridian.
Anonymous
A township is divided into 36 sections and each section is a township as per your map. Are you F-ing serious!???!!!
Chelsea O
It is a very confusing topic. I was confused when I first addressed it. So yes each township is divided into 36 sections that are apx 1 mile, but sections are not divided into townships. I made a slight adjustment to the map to hopefully elevate the confusion. Thanks for pointing it out.
Anonymous
i’m looking foe section 13, township 14, north range 32 in Lincoln county, ne
Chelsea O
State to state things could be slightly different. This article was written for the AZ market. To help in your search, here is Public Land Survey System map for Nebraska. http://www.nebraskamap.gov/datasets/township-and-range It should help you identify the specific area you are looking for in Lincoln County. I hope this helps.
Anonymous
Hard for “City folk” to understand. If you grow up in “Farm and Ranch country”, it’s obvious. MOST rural roads run on “section lines”. The “Back 80” or “the 1/4 section that Grandpa farmed” are common terms. 640 acres cut in quarters gets you 160 in a quarter section .. or an 80 or a 40. BUT townships don’t always “line up”. IF the “flat earth” nuts were right, they would, but LONGITUDE LINES are NOT parallel to each other — especially as you get “Up North” they come closer together. The person mentioned NEBRSKA. There are many places — going from Kimball County into Banner County [the far west edge of Nebr] where you have “jogs in the roads” to correct for section lines being offset. Iowa has a town — Correctionville [east of Sioux City] — named for the map adjustment. JL
Chelsea O
I understand where you are coming from being someone who grew up in a very rural area. Things do not always line up as nicely as described in this article. The explanation of the article was for the Phoenix metro area. It is very well laid out, which makes it easy to identify the township, section and range. If you are looking at a specific area of the country, this site may be able to help. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/public-land-survey-system-plss
Anonymous
I’m deaslilng with some old mineral deeds for parcels located in Cherry County Nebraska. But none of the townsip/range descriptions match. Example: “Township 35N, Range 29W”.
Was the system changed sometime after 1955?
James Marcus
It’s possible there is a local deviation to how it was done in Nebraska. Have you tried this search: https://sso.nebraska.gov/repo-new/search-str.html.