Washington County - Survey and Land Management Division

The Washington County Surveyor's Office in Stillwater, Minnesota perpetuates the location of section corners that were established in 1847 for the United States Public Land Survey. Section corners are the foundation of land ownership. Townships in Washington County were among the first areas surveyed in Minnesota, as part of the Territory of Wisconsin. Following the government survey, a District Surveyor (later County Surveyor) was selected to survey roads, make maps, and maintain the government corners. Items for the Minnesota Digital Library include survey records of some of the first roads in Minnesota dating to 1847, early parcel maps of Washington County, and the 1912 Plat Book. The Washington County Surveyor's Office archives reside at the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS).