Agriculture reflects culture and makes an imprint on the landscape Cadastral surveys document the boundaries of land ownership Township and Range System Land Ordinance of 1785 sets pattern for distribution of land to settlers

The Land Ordinance of 1785 adopted by the U.S Congress (Articles of Confederation) goal to raise $ by sale of land in the unmapped NW Territory divided into sq. "townships", six miles on a side. sub-divided into thirty-six "sections“ (one sq. mile or 640 acres) further subdivided for sale to settlers and land speculators. also a significant mechanism for funding public ed. Sect. 16 in each township rsvd for public schools. How is this reflected on the landscape?

Agriculture reflects culture and makes an imprint on the landscape Cadastral Township and Range System Land Ordinance of 1785 sets pattern for distribution of land to settlers rectangular = based on a grid system that creates one-square-mile sections establishes checkerboard pattern = 75% of US

Dominant Land Survey Systems in the U.S.

Agriculture reflects culture and makes an imprint on the landscape Cadastral Metes and Bounds Survey: uses natural features to demarcate irregular parcels of land “beginning with a corner at the intersection of two stone walls near an apple tree on the north side of Muddy Creek road one mile above the junction of Muddy and Indian Creeks, north for 150 rods to the end of the stone wall bordering the road, then northwest along a line to a large standing rock on the corner of the property now or formerly belonging to John Smith, thence west 150 rods to the corner of a barn near a large oak tree, thence south to Muddy Creek road, thence down the side of the creek road to the starting point."

Dominant Land Survey Systems in the U.S.

Agriculture reflects culture and makes an imprint on the landscape Cadastral Long-lot Survey System: Divides land into narrow parcels stretching back from rivers, roads, or canals prevalent in French America (Louisiana, Mississippi Valley, Quebec and Canadian Maritimes Lot fragmentation depends on use of “primogeniture” eldest son inherits = lot sizes stay intact Northern Europe and colonized areas land divided amongst heirs = fragmented lots Asia, Africa and Southern Europe

Rural Settlement Patterns Clustered concentration Dispersed concentration 50% of global population lives in rural clusters crossroads, hamlets, villages nucleated centered around focal point Courtyard, intersection, church etc. protected (older) circular hilltops (leaves level land for farms) sometimes walled Grid pattern (newer)

Rural Settlement Patterns Clustered concentration Dispersed concentration 50% of global population lives in rural clusters crossroads, hamlets, villages nucleated centered around focal point Courtyard, intersection, church etc. protected (older) circular hilltops (leaves level land for farms) sometimes walled Grid pattern (newer) linear = non-nucleated

Rural Settlement Patterns Clustered concentration Dispersed concentration 50% of global population lives in rural clusters crossroads, hamlets, villages nucleated centered around focal point Courtyard, intersection, church etc. protected (older) circular hilltops (leaves level land for farms) sometimes walled Grid pattern (newer) linear = non-nucleated Family farmstead surrounded by farm buildings and farmland NW Europe England, Germany (Italy) Typical in Midwest, Western US New England originally clustered but became more dispersed as community ties and needs decreased less chance of attack by Native Americans population became more diverse