The Land Survey of 1836
In 1836 US Government land surveyors measured an approximately six-mile square area described as Township 6 North, Range 21 East and divided it into a nearly-uniform grid of 36 one-mile square sections. By 1841 this area became known as the town of Greenfield. The town boundary lines became roads: Greenfield Avenue on the north, College Avenue on the south, 27th Street on the east, and 124th Street on the west. The section lines became Lincoln, Oklahoma, Howard, Layton, and Grange Avenues and 43rd, 60th, 76th, 92nd, and 108th Streets. Diagonal Indian trails recorded by the surveyors heading toward the mouth of the Milwaukee River became Janesville and Loomis Roads and National and Forest Home Avenues. Both the early paths of Native peoples and the grid of European American land ownership are now inscribed on the landscape of this area.
Greenfield's 1836 Greenery
The 1836 US Government land surveyors carefully noted the species and size of trees near their survey lines in the area that became the Town of Greenfield. Along the line that runs through the median of Layton Avenue from 27th to 124th Streets, 41 trees were recorded including 30-inch diameter oaks. The surveyors described a diverse forest with white and black oaks, sugar maple, hickory, basswood, white ash, and elm. Surveyors
also noted smaller swamps with swamp oak, black ash, and willow, as well as small marshes. Settlers were drawn to this area and many trees were cut for building homes, fences, and plank roads. While many elm and ash trees have succumbed to disease, many other trees have been planted in yards, parks, and along streets. Contemporary Greenfield retains its reputation as a Tree City.
Comments 0 comments