A baseline, the equator was designated as 0 degrees latitude.Ĭolorado Baseline: The baseline in this area is 40 degrees 00 minutes 07 seconds north latitude from the equator and runs from the easternmost point of the Kansas-Nebraska boundary to the western boundary of Colorado. The Greenwich Meridian was selected for use as the prime meridian or 0 degrees longitude. Surveyors utilized longitude and latitude lines in establishing baselines and meridians in each survey area. The government survey created a checkerboard of identical squares covering a given area.

The original corners established on the ground by the original surveyors are to be considered correct and take precedence over subsequent field notes and plats. The primary purpose of the survey was to mark boundaries on the ground. The original thirteen states plus Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Hawaii were not included in this survey, which was done by and continues under the Bureau of Land Management. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)Īn ordinance passed by the Continental Congress in 1785 directed that the public land of the United States be surveyed.

Meridian township parcel map