The Archives of Michigan now has original survey maps of Michigan’s 1,400 individual township parcels available for search, to browse and print at www.seekingmichigan.org.

Take a look at what White Lake looked like in 1823.

According to the state, the initial survey of the state of Michigan was conducted primarily between 1815 and 1860.

"The federal government contracted land surveyors who earned between $3 and $4.25 per mile, which covered payment of their crews and supplies," a press release states. "Crews usually conducted surveys in the winter because their line of sight was improved and they could walk across frozen lakes and ponds. It took about 20 days to survey a township with two surveyors, two axe men to trim brush, and two chain men."