

Indiana is the only state where every portion of the state is part of a township government, regardless of other municipalities. Municipalities such as cities may incorporate or annex land in the township, which is then generally removed from the township government. The most common responsibilities are things such as helping the indigent, fire protection, cemetery maintenance, weed control and other duties. The responsibilities and the form of the township government are specific by the state legislature, and many have a trustee and an elected board.

This law established the rectangular system of survey, which divided land into townships six miles square, with sections a mile square containing 640 acres, and quarter sections of 160 acres.Ī unit of government found primarily in the northeast and north central United States townships are a subdivision of a county ranging in size from 6 to 54 square miles with 36 square miles being the normal.Įach township is identified by name, such as Westfield Washington Township. The Wayne Township Trustee Office employs more than 30 full and part-time staff, all with a goal of serving the residents of Wayne Township. Congress provided for surveying and selling public lands in the Land Ordinance of 1785.

Under the Constitution, land not included within the boundaries of the original thirteen states became public domain, owned and administered by the national government.
