When land is surveyed, it is depicted on a map as a matrix of numbered squares. The major unit in this geographic grid is called a township. A township is a perfect square with sides 6 miles long. Each township has vertical and horizontal coordinates assigned to it that uniquely identify its position within a larger grid. These coordinates, called township and range, are something akin to latitude and longitude. As an example, Medina is township 118, range 23.

Townships are further subdivided into numbered one-mile-square units called sections.

Each section contains 640 acres and is still further subdivided into quarters of 160 acres each, the maximum size for a homestead claim.

Sections are then carved up into individually-owned parcels with names relative to their location. For example, the east 1/2 of the northeast quarter of Section 23. Or the southwest 1/4 of the southeast 1/4 of the southwest 1/4 of Section 23.

The map above shows a portion of southeast Medina as it was laid out in 1913. The large numbers represent public school districts. The smallest numbers indicate acreage per owner. The medium-sized numbers represent section numbers, and they are marked right in the center of each section. The little squares denote house locations.

Quiz Questions

1. In which sections did the Reisers own land?

2. How many acres did Frank Stumpf own?

3. What school district probably served the Stumpfs, Reisers, Scherers, Roehls, Kassubes, Polkers and Leuers?

4. Where was Frank Stumpf's farm house relative to Section 23?