A Treasure: Pulaski County’s Original Survey Maps

This section of history will draw from previously published posts and pages and a priceless resource from the State of Indiana: original survey maps from before Pulaski County was legally formed. The surveys were conducted using the metes and bounds method.

For those who love survey maps, this will be an excellent resource. A member of the Historical Society who reviewed the maps had this to say. “Wow, these maps are amazing.  There are all the ‘post in mounds’ and ‘metes and bounds,’ section corners, etc. Interesting the wetlands and dry prairies the early surveyors encountered. As farmers, we have certainly changed the topography of Pulaski County.” 

The first gem of information she found was this: “In section 18 in Harrison Township. there are a couple of plots labeled “Canadian Warrant Frederick Bissell”. Why would Canada give land warrants in Pulaski County prior to this area even becoming a county?”

From the person who made these available to us,  Ryan Martin, we heard, “It’s fascinating to see where the ‘roads’ or more likely Indian traces were back then.”

From the PDH Academy comes this description of the “metes and bounds” method of mapping.

Metes and bounds is a method of surveying land that is centuries old. It was the principle way to measure land before the Land Act of 1785, so much of the land in the original 13 colonies was measured this way… Before technology, or even before sophisticated measuring instruments, land surveying was fairly imprecise. The plots could be large, often encompassing many acres of farmland or heavily forested areas. Parcels were often defined by formations such as rivers, trees, roads, or other landmarks. Of course, trees eventually die, rivers can erode land, and roads can be moved.

Worse, when no obvious marker or indicator was present, a pole or stake may have been driven into the ground to mark the boundary. These can fall over on their own, or malicious neighbors can intentionally move them. According to SurveyHistory.com, compasses, which are not always a 100 percent reliable indicator of direction, were often used in these surveys as well. Land was described as starting at a certain point and continuing in a line based on the compass needle. Thus, considering the impreciseness of these tools and descriptions, numerous lawsuits have been filed over the years disputing the borders in states that used metes and bounds.

What, Specifically, Are Metes and Bounds?

Metes are distances between two points measured with straight lines, regardless of what is in between them. Bounds are less specific. They may appear in a description as a building, rock, or other nonpermanent marker.

When using this method to survey land, the description directs the surveyor to start at a certain point. This may be at an intersection of roads, a particular point on a stream or something even more nebulous. From this point, the surveyor follows the compass needle for a specified number of feet, until reaching another point, be it a physical marker, tree, or rock.

This 1876 map is from the Indiana Historical Society. The major towns represented, starting with the top third: Tippecanoe Township – Monterey. Middle third: White Post Township – “Medarysville”; Monroe Township – Winamac. Bottom third: Salem Township – Francesville; Indian Creek Township – Pulaski; and Van Buren Township – both Star City and Rosedale (later Thornhope).

Physical Features

From a 2021 post on the Historical Society’s main site comes this information from the book Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana, which was published by A.F. Battey & Co., Chicago, in 1883. The speaks of the topography before the county was formed. LINK TO PHYSICAL FEATURES OF PULASKI COUNTY HERE

Pulaski County Takes Shape

From the published series regarding the Native American experience comes this information. Included is a link to an interactive map that shows Indiana counties taking form. LINK TO THE COUNTY TAKING SHAPE HERE. The survey maps below were taking shape as the state formed and divided into legal county entities.

Drainage

Another 2021 post on the Historical Society’s main site deals with drainage. This comes, also, from Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. By 1883, the publication date, a mere 44 years after the county was legally formed, the topography was changing by the hand of man. LINK TO DRAINAGE ISSUES HERE 

Original Survey Maps 

The County was formally established in 1839. Before it could be declared a county, surveys were needed. The following maps come from Indianamaps.org. This disclaimer is on the first page.

The purpose of this map is to assist in retrieving digitized PLSS notes and plats. The county and PLSS Township lines are for graphical reference only and do not represent true boundary or survey lines.

No attempt has been made in either the design or production nof this map to define the limits or jurisdiction of any federal, state, or local government. This map is intended for use only at the published scale of 1:24,000 or smaller and is for reference purposes only. It should not be construed as a legal document or survey instrument. A detailed on-the-ground survey and historical analysis of a single site will differ from this map. Your use of these files is an acceptance of these terms.

The linked images (and any subsequent modifications or derivatives) are forever in the Public Domain.

No business entity or person involved in the creation or distribution of this information make any warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including but not limited to the accuracy, completeness, fitness, or usefulness of the map or the images for any particular purpose, and under no circumstances shall they be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from or related to their use. Do not alter documents. Document names should not be changed. Document names describe the source and location of document location. Your access to (and/or use of) the map and images serves as your acceptance of these terms and conditions.

To go to the source rather than to view the following PDFs, GO TO THE FEDERAL PLATS LINK HERE. You will have to sign up to view the site. (It is free.) You will probably find the online maps to be clearer, but if you hesitate to sign up for yet another website, they are presented here.

Taking the county by thirds, starting at the top, going from left to right.

Cass Township
Rich Grove Township
Franklin Township
Tippecanoe Township
White Post Township
Jefferson Township
Monroe Township
Harrison Township
Salem Township
Beaver Township
Indian Creek Township
Van Buren Township