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The General Land Office Survey

Alkali lake in 1879 as shown on the land survey map.

Land office surveys were conducted in the region from 1876 through 1879 when interior sections lines were layed out. These general descriptions are from the Surveyor's notebook. Images are areas of the survey maps.

T25N R39W

The quality of the land in this township is largely above the common average.

There is a large proportion of rich bottom lands or valleys which are dispersed over the entire township and are mostly all well watered by Lakes which are fed by Springs. The uplands are generally rolling and good and fine 2^nd rate land and adapted for cultivation. The land in the Township is well clothed with Gramma and other grasses and is unsurpassed as a Stock Range or Meadow.

There is no Stone and no Timber.

T26N R39W

The quality of the land in this township is largely above the common average. There is a large proportion of rich bottom lands or valleys which are well dispersed over the entire township and a large portion of these are splendidly watered by lakes which are fed by spring rains. The valleys consist of a vast stock range and are unsurpassed for meadow or grasslands. The uplands are generally rolling and are 1^st choice 2^nd rate soil adapted to cultivation. Dare [?] clothed with gramma and other grasses. There is neither timber nor stone.

T25N R40W

The quality of the land in this township is above the common average.

There is a fair proportion of rich bottom lands or Valleys which are chiefly situated in the eastern portion of the Township. They are are mostly well watered by small Lakes which are chiefly fed by springs with food favor water. The uplands are rolling and in places somewhat broken are all good second rate land and adapted for cultivation.

The land is all well clothed with Gramma, Buffalo, and other grasses. No timber whatever and no stone.

T26N R40W

The quality of the land in this Township is largely above the common average. There is a large proportion of rich bottom lands or valleys which are well dispersed over the entire Township and a large portion of them are splendidly watered by lakes which are fed by springs, the valleys consist of a vast stock Range and are unsurpassed for Meadow or grasslands. The uplands are generally rolling and are 1^st choice 2^nd rate soil adapted for cultivation and are clothed with gramma and other grasses. There is neither timber nor stone. In the southern part of Secs. 25 and 26 and Northern part of Sec's. 35 and 36 there is a large wet marsh.

Meadow southwest of lake named after Jim Stansbie.

Resurvey of 1914

T26N R39W was resurveyed in the fall of 1913 and 1914. This map includes more detail and accuracy. Hay meadows are show, with lakes and marsh prominent on the maps. Several homes are shown, that include:

• Frame house 20' x 20' in sec. 1

• Building and wind mill shown in sec. 2

• Sod house 15' x 20' in sec. 6

• Sod house 15' x 20' in sec. 11

• Frame house 15' x 15' in sec. 13

• Wind mill sec. 14

• Brennemann's Ranch: sod house 20' x 20', a wind mill and a second building in northwest corner of sec. 22

• Sod house 20' x 20' in southwest corner of sec. 30

The Surveyor notes said that Indian Lake was three feet deep. This survey work was done by H.R. Fransworth, mentioned in the Martindale community news at the time. Resurvey's were not done in every township and range.

Area of what is now known as Downing Lake, with Indian Lake on the north edge of the map area.

Sod house and gentle rolling valley features. Also shown is Sand Beach lake and the wet meadow and marsh in the adjacent valley to the north and east.