The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has recently announced the publication of an updated version of a map which depicts Ohio’s original land subdivisions - from the largest areas to the smallest sections and ranges.

The new map clearly delineates the myriad system of land divisions that occurred in the settlement of Ohio. Many sections of land were set aside for specific purposes. The Firelands, for instance, represented land given to “fire sufferers” from the area surrounding Norwalk, Connecticut, who were the target of British raids during the American Revolution. The Ohio Company Purchase was made through the efforts of the Ohio Company of Associates, a land investment and development group headed by the likes of General Rufus Putnam, Benjamin Tupper, Samuel Parsons and Manasseh Cutler. The United States Military District lands, which included the modern counties of Delaware, Knox, Licking, Coschoton and others, were given in compensation for the service of soliders of the American Revolution – although many of the recipients sold their land without ever reaching Ohio.

Interestingly, Ohio cities and towns in each of these sections developed somewhat differently, as street configurations, building styles, and even street names tended to be consistent within each district.

Several of the smaller subdivisions of land are not included on the map, but are a part of the GIS-based files which are also available from the ODNR. The wall map itself is a great deal for only $15!