Scope and Content: The Topographical Survey Commission was created in Massachusetts per Resolves 1884, c 72, and during its existence had a mandate to carry out two projects: preparation of a contour topographical map of the state in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey, and with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (1884-1887) to produce a town boundary survey (the determination by triangulation of boundary lines of cities and towns) starting in 1885. Additional legislation was initiated to authorize the commission to resolve problems with the state boundaries with Rhode Island (Resolves 1897, c 88), New York (Resolves 1897, c 25), and Connecticut (Resolves 1898, c 39). –The Board of Harbor and Land Commissioners took over the town boundary surveys in 1901 and completed them in 1914. Beyond that date, the following agencies succeeded the board in its responsibility for state surveying: Commission on Waterways and Public Lands, in 1916; Division of Waterways and Public Lands of the Dept. of Public Works, in 1919; Dept. of  Public Works as a whole, in 1927; and the department’s Division of Waterways, in 1938. –Atlases were produced in conjunction with these projects. Resolves 1890, c 57 authorized the production of topographical maps from plates engraved by the U.S. Geological Survey, showing only geological features. Copies of: Atlas of Massachusetts. Boston : Topographical Survey Commission, 1890 ((M-Ar)1548X (original maps in: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Maps and plans (M-Ar) 50)) were distributed free to every public library and historical library in the state (Resolves 1891, c 95), and to public schools in every town (Resolves 1894, c 83). Atlases of town boundary lines ((M-Ar(421X)) were authorized per St 1897, c 69, and were published in batches, 1898-1915. As each atlas was published it was distributed free to towns, public libraries, and various other agencies per St 1900, c 360.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Box 1: Items 1-4. Box 2: Item 5. Box 3: Item 6
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