Property Surveys  Legal Description  Definite boundaries  Must be clear – only one point  Must not change with time  Courts assume:  First in time – First in line  Markers supercede descriptions

Metes and Bounds  Earliest Legal Descriptions  Where my land meets yours…  My boundary begins where yours ends…  Not limited to rectangular shapes  Followed rivers, ridges, etc.  Roads often had to fit along the boundaries

Metes and Bounds  Early description -  From an apple tree 30 paces NNW of Johnson’s Mill, south to a fence corner, thence east to an elm tree, thence NNE along the creek to a large rock outcropping, thence west to said apple tree.  Vague descriptions of corners  Description may have been obvious when written, but hard to duplicate.

Metes and Bounds  Items required  Point of beginning  Definite corner points  Directions and distances  Basis of bearings  Date  Other things included  Enclosed area  Tie to other surveys

Metes and Bounds  More Detail -  From a charred cedar stake in the center of Mill Road, 100 feet north of Baker’s Ford, that point being the point of beginning, thence along a bearing of S4°36’E a distance of 3 chains, 2 links to a 4” elm tree, thence along a fence line bearing S90°00’W for a distance of 3 chains, 3.2 links to a charred cedar fence post, thence along a bearing of N47°6’E a distance of 4 chains, 8.2 links, to the stake being the said point of beginning; that boundary to enclose an area of 0.46 acres, more or less.

Metes and Bounds

Point of Beginning

Metes and Bounds

City Lots and Blocks Developer creates plat - drawing identifying location of each block, street, and easement. Plat is filed with County Recorder (MN) or Register of Deeds (ND) Plat assigned a name - Harrison’s First Addition to the City of Moorhead

City Lots and Blocks Legal Description - Lot 15, Block 5, Harrison’s First Edition to the City of Moorhead, MN, as recorded in the Clay County Recorder’s Office, January 16, Requires date and location of recording

City Lots and Blocks  Note width of streets  80’: too wide  Curb, boulevard, sidewalk  Plat should show monuments  Surveyors required to record new monuments