To locate the land parcels that fit the legal descriptions below,
click inside the correct TOWNSHIP for each problem.

1. NW 1/4, NW 1/4, S.6, T4N, R5W

2. SW 1/4, NE 1/4, S.29, T1S, R2W

3. SE 1/4, SW 1/4, S.35, T2N, R1E

4. E 1/2, SE 1/4, S.16, T3N, R2W (start with this one)
   and SW 1/4, S.15, T3N, R2W

5. Under the Homestead Act of 1862, any U.S. Citizen (or intended-Citizen) over the age of 21 could file a claim for 160 acres of government-surveyed land. In order to gain control of more than 160 acres, some families would print the number "21" on the soles of their teenagers' shoes and have them swear to the Land Officer that they were "over 21."

   Suppose the Millers are such a family. Hank Miller has found three quarter-sections along a substantial stream that he wants his family to own. He files a claim for the quarter-section to the north (SE 1/4, S.12, T2S, R1W). His wife, Mable, files a claim for the section just south of her husband's (NE 1/4, S.13, T2S, R1W). The Millers' 17-year-old son swears he is "over 21" and files for the section just east of his mother's (NW 1/4, S.18, T2S, R1E). Locate the Miller family's land, beginning with Hank's claim. When you have correctly located his land, proceed to locate the claims of Mable and her son.

   *If you care to suggest a name for the Millers' unnamed son, feel free to do so in class.

   Click to return to the Township/Range Lab.