The township and range system is a surveying method that played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the United States, particularly in the western territories. This system, imposed by the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, was designed to facilitate organized and efficient surveying of the public domain. By understanding this system, we gain insights into the historical and geographical evolution of the American landscape.
To appreciate the township and range system, it's essential to understand its historical context. The late 18th century marked a period of rapid westward expansion for the United States. As territories were acquired through treaties and wars, the federal government needed a practical method to survey and divide these lands for sale and settlement. This was where the township and range system came into play.
Understanding the Base Grid
The system is based on a rectangular grid of ranges and townships, with each range extending five miles wide and each township spanning six miles. These units form a landscape of straight lines and perfect squares, a stark contrast to the natural terrain they often divide.
At the heart of this system lies the meridian, a north-south line from which all other lines radiate. Each range is further divided into five-mile by five-mile sections, called townships. Every township comprises 36 sections of one mile by one mile.
Townships
Townships are the fundamental units of the system. They are named based on their location relative to the base line, which runs east-west through each range. The first township south of the base line is named '1 North,' and the first township north of it '1 South.' This nomenclature extends indefinitely, creating a simple and intuitive system for identifying each township.
Each township is further divided into 36 one-mile squares, or sections. These sections are often further subdivided into quarter-sections, for a total of 144 quarter-sections per township. This fine-grained division enabled the efficient sale and settlement of public lands.
Ranges
Ranges, running perpendicular to townships, act as the system's vertical lines. They take their name from their east-west location relative to the principal meridian. The first range west of the meridian is '1 West,' and the first range east is '1 East.' Like townships, ranges extend indefinitely, creating a grid of intervals that cover the entire surveyed territory.
The combination of townships and ranges forms aflexible and expansive system that can be adapted to varying terrain and land use. This built-in flexibility was a key factor in the system's widespread adoption and success.
Implementation and Impact
The township and range system had profound implications for the American landscape and society. It played a crucial role in the nation's westward expansion, enabling the efficient surveying, sale, and settlement of vast tracts of land.
One of its most notable impacts was the uniform landscape it created. The straight lines and perfect squares of the system often contrast sharply with the natural terrain, leading to the term 'cartographer's revenge': when man-made grids fail to account for natural features, often resulting in illogical or inefficient land use.
The Rectangular Survey
The rectangular survey, as the township and range system is often called, was responsible for much of the Midwest's checkerboard landscape. Its lines became roads, fences, and property boundaries, shaping the environment and influencing culture. The system's regularity also facilitated the establishment of schools, churches, and other community institutions along these lines.
However, the system was not without its criticisms. Its rigid adherence to straight lines and right angles often ignored natural obstacles and features, leading to inefficient land use. Despite these shortcomings, the township and range system remains a potent symbol of America's westward expansion and a testament to the power of a simple, repetitive geometric model to reshape the landscape.
Today, its impacts are still visible in the American heartland. As we look at the straight roads and perfect squares of the Midwest, we're reminded of the historical and geographical significance of the township and range system. Moreover, it serves as a poignant reminder of how the intersection of human ambition and geographic reality can shape the world around us.