Land records · Parcel maps · October 7, 2026
Railroad Land Grant: Checkerboard Ownership
What a railroad land grant was: federal grants of alternating sections to railroads in the 1800s, creating checkerboard ownership still seen in records.
Railroad land grant refers to federal grants of public land given to railroad companies in the 1800s to encourage construction of rail lines, especially across the West. Starting with the Illinois Central grant in 1850 and expanding with the Pacific Railway Acts of 1862 and 1864, Congress granted railroads alternating sections of land, typically odd-numbered sections, within a belt on each side of the track. Railroads sold much of this land to settlers to raise money. The pattern of alternating private and public sections, called checkerboard ownership, still appears on maps today. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
How grants worked
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Alternating sections | Usually odd-numbered sections granted to railroads |
| Grant belt | Several miles on each side of the line |
| Indemnity lands | Substitutes where land was already claimed |
| Right of way | Separate grant for the track corridor |
| Patents | Issued as the railroad completed segments |
Checkerboard ownership
Because railroads got odd sections and the government kept even sections, maps show a checkerboard. Some even sections remain BLM land, creating access challenges. See what is a section township and range.
Railroad sales to settlers
Railroads advertised land to settlers and immigrants. Deeds from railroad companies to individuals appear in county records and may include reservations of minerals or rights of way.
Right of way vs land grants
The track corridor was usually granted separately as a right of way. See what is a railroad right of way on a plat. Ownership of abandoned corridors depends on the nature of the grant.
Records
Federal patent records show patents to railroads. Railroad company records, state archives, and county deeds document sales. See what is a land patent.
Mineral reservations
Some railroad deeds reserved minerals, so mineral rights on former railroad land may still be held by successor companies.
Example
A ranch in Wyoming includes alternating sections bought from a railroad’s land company in the 1880s, while the even sections are BLM land leased for grazing. The railroad deed reserved coal and other minerals, which a successor company still owns.
Research tips
Search federal land records for patents to railroads, then county records for railroad deeds. Look for mineral reservations.
Access across checkerboard land
In checkerboard areas, private and public sections touch only at corners. Crossing from one public section to another at a corner, called corner crossing, has led to disputes and litigation over whether people may step across the shared corner point. Access to landlocked public sections may depend on roads, easements, or agreements with private owners.
Land grant forfeitures
Railroads that failed to build lines on time sometimes forfeited grants, returning land to the public domain. Forfeiture acts and later legislation affected title to large areas, which is why research may show land that was granted, forfeited, and later patented to settlers.
Bottom line
A railroad land grant gave railroads alternating sections of federal land in the 1800s, creating checkerboard ownership. Railroads sold land to settlers, sometimes reserving minerals. Check federal patents and county deeds to trace title. Explore section grids via the Platbookmapper map.
Railroad land grant FAQ
What was a railroad land grant?
Federal land given to railroads to encourage construction.
What is checkerboard ownership?
Alternating private and public sections from railroad grants.
Did railroads keep the land?
Many sold it to settlers.
Do railroads still own minerals?
Some reserved minerals in deeds.
Where are railroad grant records?
Federal patent records and county deeds.