V08F_25- History of the Government Land Office

This course will examine the United States Public Lands, their extent and how the government acquired them. Covered in detail will be the forming of the land system by Thomas Jefferson and his committee. It will also cover the system of survey contracts and the surveyors that walked the land. You will understand the instructions for field operations and why modern survey distances differ from historic records. The seminar also contains actual maps and diagrams of government surveys along with information on equipment used to complete this survey. You will learn to appreciate how these original surveys became the basis for every modern resurvey - a must for anyone dealing in land boundaries. Pictures and information on governmental land office (GLO) locations and staff related to Alabama will also be part of this seminar. The final part will deal with accuracy of original surveys and the relationship to modern survey equipment. If you work in a GLO state, this seminar is a must for the Professional Surveyor. 

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the historical context and processes through which the United States government acquired public lands, including the role of Thomas Jefferson and his committee in forming the land system.
2. Analyze the system of survey contracts and the methodologies used by surveyors in the original surveys, and compare these with modern survey techniques.
3. Interpret historical maps and diagrams of government surveys, and understand the equipment used in these surveys to appreciate their significance in modern resurveys.
4. Evaluate the accuracy of original surveys in relation to modern survey equipment and techniques, and understand the implications for current land boundary determinations.