base lines, principal meridians and townships

This process continues, creating a smaller and smaller grid that can be used to identify the specific location of any property. Those quadrangles are divided into smaller squares called townships. Using those lines for references, quadrangles are formed, which are smaller squares identifiable by where they are located near the principal meridian and baseline. These principal meridian lines are named or numbered to identify their location. The rectangular survey system is comprised of principal meridian lines that cover most states in the US, running north to south and baselines running east to west. Metes and Bounds surveys are still used in many states however, they differ from the Public Land Survey System as they are not based on any grid but instead identify objects on the land, measurements, and compass directions. This system was part of the Land Ordinance enacted in 1785 by President Thomas Jefferson.īefore the Rectangular Survey System was established, the Metes and Bounds survey was the only way of identifying who owned what land. As the United States grew from its original 13 colonies, a system was needed to identify who owned what land. The Rectangular Survey System was established in 1785 to identify, divide, and measure land, creating boundary lines for property owners.

The grid is divided into smaller sections known as quadrangles, townships, sections, half-sections, and quarter-sections, used to describe property boundaries in most of the United States. The Rectangular Survey System, also known as the Government Survey System or Public Land Survey System, is a method of plotting land boundaries in the United States using a large grid made up of rectangles.

Base lines, principal meridians and townships