Perpetuation of Land Survey Data

The items covered in this paper are a historical background of survey types and their records available today (1966). The sectionalized system of land division used in developing the United States is reviewed; metes and bounds systems are described, as well as standard systems of fractionalizing sections. Control systems used in the past, those used today, and possible future systems are described. Various methods of recording property corner data are presented. The results of a modern resurvey program in Carver County, Minn. are described. Transportation industry practices in land acquisition and description writing are presented. Problems of private land surveyors with respect to inadequate and incomplete records and conflicting field locations are covered. Conclusions and future recommendations are listed as guide lines to assist road agencies and others in improving future methods of perpetuating land survey data.