The PLSS system was devised to make it easier to dispose of the lands of the west, to get into private hands. Ease of resurveying it a hundred years after that job was substantially finished really wasn't a consideration. Perhaps you could say that the systematic documentation of what was done helps a good deal.?ÿ?ÿ
Very good post.
Perhaps you could say that the systematic documentation of what was done helps a good deal.?ÿ?ÿ
Except that it is known that some of the original notes were fiction as to the actual order things were done, with lines stubbed in and given estimated distances instead of following the prescribed order that would have resulted in better accuracy.?ÿ And some notes were sloppy and/or omitted topo calls.?ÿ And all the original notes were recopied in the office with possible transcription errors and "cleaned up" and the originals thrown away.
... I am amazed how much care was take in many parts, clearly thinking Long Term
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some were fiction? Ha! Bunches were out in the West... the Benson mark was clear back home
It accomplished the initial goal. At this end of time it has turned back upon itself. Some places maintained it and others didn't. It allowed for table top deed writing and surveys not required. The simple square really not simple at all but you won't find that accounted for in many deeds.
In my area it's now just a huge mess. People want perfect math and they worked on the title records for more than a century to make the title records nice and mathematically correct. Only problem is that's not how it really is and for the most part never was. The people driving the bus LIKE the nice neat records. Should be simple to survey it Right? It's so mathematically simple and square! AND it should be FREE to download the location of the boundary from the internet and find them with your phone. That's what the public expects. How is it going to happen for FREE? Maybe Google or Amazon will do it.
The idea of protraction solved gaps and overlaps in the initial record but requires a higher level of surveying later. Do it on paper, occupy the land with do yourself measurement, then later require strict compliance with the cookbook, what do you have a LEGAL MESS. Is that what they contemplated when they set it up, probably not, but that's what we have.
