South Dakota PLSS

Are you taking the LS exam, state-specific portion? I've been told we have to write a history of surveying in South Dakota and your question seems to be right-on with that idea. I'm taking the SD test in October myself in Rapid and I've got a copy of the History of SD Surveying or whatever that pamphlet is if you or anybody else for that matter wants a copy.

Do you have an electronic copy of that?

No, just trying to find historical information on South Dakota and North Dakota.

According to White’s History of the Rectangular Survey System, p. 130:

“The 1860 Annual Report indicated that most of the surveys in Iowa were completed and that the surveys in Dakota were progressing rapidly, but with no land office, sales could not be made.” Then, a few paragraphs on, “Also on March 2, 1861, 12 Stat. 239, The Dakota Territory and the office of Surveyor General were created; the Dakota Territory included all the Nebraska Territory between 43° and 49° north latitude. George D. Hill was appointed he first Surveyor General of Dakota Territory and he took office on June 27, 1861. He established his offcie at Yankton, South Dakota , on July 1, 1861.”

White indexes no later references to South Dakota.

Hope this helps.

Dennis--
George D. Hill was appointed the first Surveyor General of Dakota Territory, and took office on June 27, 1861, his office being in Yankton.

On April 10, 1890 after South Dakota's admission to the union on November 2, 1889, Boetius H. Sullivan became the states first Surveyor General, with his office in Huron.

South Dakota's last Surveyor General was William A. Lynch, appointed March 23, 1916 and he held that office until the state's surveys were completed and his office was closed June 30, 1962. Ther state became a closed public land state. The records were transferred to the state, are today in the office of Commissioner of Schools and Public Lands at Pierre. The plats of mineral patent surveys of South Dakota are filed in the Montana State Office of the Bureau of Land Management in Billings, Mt. and the necessary mineral surveys are directed from that office.

The above is from C. A. Whites " A History of the Rectangular Survey System".

If you check that source there is a lot more information provided by Mr. White pertaining to the 3 meridians used and the extension of the same. Enough where I filled up two and a half type written pages when I took the test in the dim long ago.

Good Luck to you.

Scott

Thanks for all the information, hope to return the favor someday.

Thanks for the help

Just a paper copy for now, but I could scan it if you'd like. Just let me know, I don't think it's too terribly long