Research Article
Autumn 1980

The Land Surveys Of Ontario 1750–1980

Publication: Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization
Volume 17, Number 3

Abstract

Abstract

The author discusses land survey systems in the lands bordering the northern shores of the Great Lakes from the late 18th century through to the present day. In the early period during the French regime settlement was discouraged in favour of the fur trade and, consequently, very little surveying was done. After the fall of Quebec, the British continúed this land survey policy until the arrival of the Loyalists during and after the American Revolution forced the opening of Ontario to settlement. The policy of the British administrations in Canada was always to survey settlement land before it was occupied by surveying farm lots within townships, a practice that continued until 1935. Surveys made during these township subdivisions were consequently used to produce the first maps of Ontario, and in many areas they remained the only detailed maps until the topographical surveying of Canada was commenced in 1904.

Résumé

L'auteur examine les systèmes d'argentage qui ont été utilisés sur les terres qui bordent les rives nord des Grands Lacs de la fin du 18e siècle jusqu'à nos jours. Au début, sous le régime français, on privilégiait le commerce des fourrures au détriment de la colonisation, de sorte que très peu de travaux d'arpentage ont été faits. Après la chute de Québec, les Anglais ont maintenu cette politique d'arpentage jusqu'à ce que l'arrivée des Loyalistes, pendant et après la Révolution américaine, rende nécessaire la colonisation de l'Ontario. Sous le régime anglais, la politique a toujours consisté à arpenter les terres avant qu'elles ne soient occupées; jusqu'en 1935, on arpentait des lots agricoles à l'intérieur des townships. Les levés ayant servi à établir des subdivisions de townships ont par la suite été utilisés pour dresser les premières cartes de l'Ontario. Dans bon nombre de régions, ces documents sont demeurés les seules cartes détaillées jusqu'à ce que l'on entreprenne les levés topographiques du Canada, en 1904.

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Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization
Volume 17Number 3Autumn 1980
Pages: 65 - 106

History

Published in print: Autumn 1980
Published online: 12 October 2006

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L M SEBERT
Surveys and Mapping Branch, Ottawa

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L M SEBERT
Cartographica 1980 17:3, 65-106

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