Definition
A Township in real estate refers to a specific land measure, used in the United States public land survey system. It is typically a 6-mile by 6-mile (36 square miles) tract of land that is delineated by the government rectangular survey system. Each township is further divided into 36 sections, each one mile square. This system helps in systematically designing land ownership and property distribution with precision.
Examples
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Township General Plan: Imagine a township in the state of Illinois well-documented in the government survey records. It shows precise boundaries laid out in 1785 as per the Land Ordinance, dividing land into sellable square-mile sections.
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Property Deed Description: A real estate lawyer’s description of a property might include phrases like “South half of the Northwest quarter of Section 20, Township 3 North Range 4 East,” indicating the exact private lands within a specific township.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the primary purpose of the Township system?
The primary purpose of the township system is to create a methodical, easily understandable scheme for land distribution and ownership management. This eventually simplifies land sales, acquisitions, and transfers.
How many sections are there in one township?
One township is divided into 36 sections. Each section is one mile square, making it 640 acres.
When was the township and range system established?
The township and range system was established by the Land Ordinance of 1785 under the supervision of Thomas Jefferson to aid in the systematic division and sale of western lands.
Can Townships vary in size?
While the standard size is 6 miles by 6 miles, some townships near the borders or public lands can vary slightly based on geographic or survey discrepancies.
How is a Township identified?
A Township is identified using township lines (north/south direction) and range lines (east/west direction). For example, a township could be designated as Township 2 North, Range 3 East (T2N, R3E).
Related Terms
Section
A Section is a one square-mile (640 acres) unit of land within a township used in the Public Land Survey System.
Range
A Range refers to the vertical column of townships in the government’s rectangular survey system. It runs parallel to a principal meridian.
Principal Meridian
A Principal Meridian is the main north-south line that serves as the reference line for the grid layout of the rectangular survey.
Baseline
A Baseline is a principal east-west line used as the reference to survey land within the Public Land Survey System.
Quarter-Section
A Quarter-Section is a division of a section into four equal parts, each consisting of 160 acres, utilized for describing smaller land plots.
Online Resources
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Survey Information
- National Archives Land Entry Case Files
- United States Geological Survey (USGS)
References
- “Principles of Real Estate Practice” by Stephen Mettling and David Cusic
- “Real Estate Principles” by Charles Jacobus
- “The United States Public Land Survey System for Dummies” – Schmidke, ed., 2020
Suggested Books for Further Study
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“Land Surveying Simplified” by Paul Gay
- An introductory book on the essentials of land surveying.
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“The Principles and Practices of Land Surveying” by E. W. Carlton
- A foundational text covering critical survey principles and practices.
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“Legal Aspects of Surveying Water Boundaries” by Allan Philip Chronister
- Comprehensive text focusing on the legal principles of land surveying, particularly on water-adjacent properties.
