As we frequently run across legal descriptions that refer to government lots that no longer exist (i.e. they've been platted into subdivisions), I would like to create a historical government lots dataset as a reference layer. Has anyone else done this? Any tips on arriving at the best end result?
I put in the government lots as a separate layer several years ago. Barton County has fractional lots all along the Arkansas River, used by the oil & gas researchers on a regular basis. We also have fractional lots around an old military reservation that existed before the area was surveyed in 1873. Current legal descriptions still refer to them so they had to be mapped.
Hi We have always mapped the government lots. They are essential parts of mapping as they are part of the original GLO maps and are integral to the sections in every county. You cannot separate these "fractional sections" from the full sections without losing the integrity of the base land mapping. I will getoff my soapbox now!
a few years ago some of us... went through some state records and found all the state owned and government owned/untaxed parcels. We also had some lists from state D of A of property owned by and leased to the state. I don't remember all the details of what we did or how we did it, and I don't want to single out anyone else who helped with this, but something like this has been done at a state level.
Kyle
KSLS, Kansas Society of Land Surveyors has had the original GLO notes and plats scanned that would show these government lots. I'm not sure if you can purchase them by county or have to pay for the entire state.
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