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PLSS Remonumentation

History of the PLSS

The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) was established under the United States Ordinance of 1785 and implemented in Minnesota beginning in 1847. Federal  surveyors set over 300,000 monuments across the state to establish section and township boundaries. These monuments form the legal foundation for land ownership in Minnesota.

Many original monuments were constructed of stone, wood, or earthen mounds. Over time, some monuments have deteriorated or been disturbed. Although the federal government conducted the original surveys, preservation of PLSS monuments is now a local responsibility.

To view original Government Land Office (GLO) plat maps, visit: Minnesota GLO Historic Plat Retrieval System

Pope County PLSS Status

The current status of PLSS corners in Pope County is as follows:

  • There are 2,500 PLSS corners, including 36 Township corners.

As of February 2026:

  • 369 PLSS corners have recorded Corner Certificates.

  • 257 of those corners (approximately 10%) include geodetic coordinates.

Minnesota Statutes §381.12 requires certification of PLSS corners when they are used, restored, or perpetuated as part of a land survey.

For more information on Minnesota’s statewide PLSS efforts, visit: https://plss-minnesota.hub.arcgis.com/.

The evolution of Minnesota’s PLSS Remonumentation Legislation can be found here: http://macsinfo.org/doc/MSPS-PLSS-LEG-Final-2022-10-21.pdf.

Grant-Funded Improvements

In 2024, Pope County was awarded a Type II grant through the Minnesota PLSS Monument Grant Program. Grant activities included:

  • Reviewing available land survey records related to PLSS corners

  • Creating a centralized land records repository

  • Developing a web-based PLSS Corner search tool

  • Preparing a PLSS Remonumentation Plan

 

 

PLSS Remonumentation Plan

 

The Pope County Board of Commissioners adopted the PLSS Remonumentation Plan by Resolution 202612 on 3 March 2026. A copy of the PLSS Remonumentation Plan may be obtained here: PLSS Remonumentation Plan – FINAL – ADOPTED – 3 MAR 2026

The long-term goal is to preserve and remonument PLSS corners and collect geodetic coordinates to support improved alignment between field monumentation and county GIS mapping.

Disclaimer

The data provided is not intended to be a substitute for proper field surveys to locate government corners, property lines, or related features. Pope County does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the data and records available herein. Certain government corners depicted may originate from neighboring counties and may be shown in the coordinate system used by that county. Users are responsible for verifying coordinate systems and datum information prior to use. Pope County expressly disclaims and shall not be held liable for any and all damage, loss, or liability, whether direct or indirect, which arises or may arise from this information or the use thereof by a person or entity.

Helpful Links

Links to external websites are provided for informational purposes.