The Big Survey - Part 1

I have had history on my mind lately.  Must have something to do with all of the money we've been throwing at the old barn to get it ready for the next 120 years of its life.  Too be fair it is the oldest and only remaining original building on the property - so it's deserving of the attention.

In any event one of the best sources of historical info have been the original survey notes that can be found online at the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands webpage. 

If you can believe it this property was surveyed by Sylvester Sibley in December of 1836. Imagine that.  No roads, no inns, no significant settlements - no nothing but wilderness.  Wisconsin was still a territory and it would be almost another dozen years until statehood in May of 1848.

But the Government Land Office knew that if they wanted to tame the wilderness and settle the landscape everything starts with a survey.  With good records and order imposed upon the wild landscape white settlement would follow.

The Platz is located precisely in the lower left hand corner of Section 15 - two 40 acre parcels arrayed south to north. 

Cover page from the original field notes..

Original sketch of the Township..

 Original plat map of the township...

click on images to enlarge