Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

How much land would a railroad company receive per mile of tract from 1854 to 1882?

1. 8 sections of land

2. 16 sections of land

3. 32 sections of land

4. 24 sections of land

The correct answer is: 16 sections of land

The correct answer is based on historical legislation regarding land grants to railroad companies during the specified period. From 1854 to 1882, railroad companies were often granted land by the federal government as an incentive to build railroads across the country. For each mile of track laid, the common practice was to allocate 16 sections of land, which approximately equates to 10,240 acres, given that a section is defined as 640 acres. This land was intended to support the construction and operation of the railroads, stimulate economic growth, and encourage settlement in the areas served by the new rail lines. This system of land grants was crucial for the development of the railroad network in the United States, as it provided the necessary resources for companies to invest in infrastructure development. The allocation reinforced the importance of railroads in transportation and economic expansion during that era.