 
The Seven Ranges Survey
Thomas Hutchins, the first Chief Geographer of
the United States, in 1785 did a landmark survey of public lands near East
Liverpool. Known as the "The Seven Ranges" survey, it became the model for the
American rectangular survey system which later was used throughout the West.
 The Continental Congress was planning ahead, at
the time, planning future expansion into Ohio. Hutchins was hired to plot
seven blocks of land called ranges in this new territory. Beginning at the point
where the Ohio River reaches Pennsylvania, Hutchins ran a line west 42 miles and
then determined north and south lines, resulting in six mile-square checkerboard
patterns of land. The Seven Ranges now covers Jefferson, Harrison, Monroe and
Belmont counties, and most of Carroll County along with portions of other
surrounding Ohio counties.
Prior to his experience as a surveyor - indeed
prior to the American Revolution - Hutchins served in the British army and
participated in the French and Indian War. He refused to fight against his
fellow Colonists during the Revolution, however, and in 1780 he resigned his
commission.
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