MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • June 7, 2020
By 1783, the American Revolutionary War pretty much bankrupted Massachusetts. Seeking relief from its financial straits, the Bay State turned to the District of Maine, where it owned vast areas of public lands that were considered to hold great value for settlement and development, and later, timber. The plans to turn Maine into a cash cow demanded large-scale surveying to section off the wilderness for sale. From 1783 through 1878, many surveys were done until virtually all publicly owned state lands were subdivided into 6-mile-square township blocks, each identified with one of some 15 land survey designations in a range and number system. Grab your Maine Atlas and AMC Maine Mountain Guide, select a few hikes and go exploring. ~ Carey Kish