1815 Louisiana Purchase Survey – Object #2 – Arkansas Primary Source Sets

Map Showing the Principal Meridians and Base Lines in the United States, 1913

<p>Map of the principal meridians and base lines surveyed in the United States, 1911. The U.S. time zones are also indicated on the map. Each principal meridian and base line is color coded as a section. The inserts show the definition of townships, the grid used to number townships, sections and partial sections with a geographical feature such as a lake.</p>

Map of the principal meridians and base lines surveyed in the United States, 1911, with inserts of townships, sections, and the plan of numbering townships from meridians and base lines.

Questions:

How can you use this map to explain the importance of surveying an area? What happens after you survey an area?
How do the inserts of townships help you explain the act of surveying?
How does this map compare to the 1802 map of the United States? What do you see that is different?
What did you find out from this map that you might not learn from other sources?
What does this map tell you about Arkansas?
What questions do you have about this map?

Citations

North West Publishing Co, and Albert Volk. “Map of the Principal Meridians and Base Lines Surveyed in the United States” In Plat Book of Fayette County, Ohio: Compiled from County Records and Actual Surveys. Des Moines, Iowa: Northwest Pub. Co, 1913. Map. Page 39 of 42.