11 May 1887, Page 2 – The New York Times at Newspapers.com. (n.d.). Newspapers.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
43 U.S. Code § 178 – Patents for lands in New Mexico; lands contiguous to Spanish or Mexican land grants. (n.d.). Legal Information Institute. Retrieved September 19, 2022, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/43/178
Blackwell’s, Ward’s and Randall’s islands and adjacent shores of East and Harlem rivers from 51st St. New York to Lawrence’s Pt. (n.d.). [Image]. Library of Congress. Retrieved September 19, 2022, from https://www.loc.gov/item/2008628260/
Johnson, W. (1814). Reports of cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court of Judicature; and in the Court for the Trial of Impeachments and the Correction of Errors in the State of New York (Vol. 10, 1st ed.). I. Riley; C. Wiley, Printer.
Julian, G. (1887). Land stealing in New Mexico. The North American Review, 145(368), 17–31.
McDonald, H. J. (1994). Children under the care of the Scottish Poor Law, 1880–1929 [Doctoral dissertation, University of Glasgow].
Williams, R. H. (1967). George W. Julian and land reform in New Mexico, 1885–1889. Agricultural History, 41(1), 71–84.
STEM Connection: Mapping Power – Surveying, Land Use, and Legal Systems
This selection of sources offers a unique opportunity for educators to guide students through the intersections of science, geography, and legal infrastructure—revealing how land itself became a tool of power, control, and systemic inequity.
Geography & GIS Technology: Historical maps such as the one from the Library of Congress charting the East and Harlem Rivers show the early use of cartography to delineate ownership and jurisdiction. These documents invite hands-on comparison with modern GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Students can examine how elevation, waterways, and road systems influence property lines and community access—or redesign historical land parcels using open-source GIS tools.
Surveying & Mathematics: The U.S. land patent system (explored in the Cornell LII citation) introduces students to the practice of surveying, which is rich in geometry and trigonometry. Teachers can walk students through how chains and compasses were once used to measure parcels, then connect these skills to GPS and satellite triangulation used today. This sets up a comparison between manual and digital land measurement, offering real-world applications of math.
Legal Systems & Data Ethics: Court cases like Johnson (1814) and Julian’s exposé on New Mexico land fraud reveal how laws were written to favor settlers and companies over Indigenous or communal claims. Students can explore how data (maps, surveys, census records) were used as evidence in court—and ask critical questions about data bias, power structures, and legal ethics. Mock trials or debates on historical land disputes offer engaging ways to synthesize law, history, and technical analysis.
Environmental Science & Urban Planning: The use (and misuse) of land also shapes ecosystems. Students might use historical maps to determine how land reform impacted river pollution, soil depletion, or urban overcrowding. Lessons can focus on sustainable zoning, comparing historical land use practices to today’s environmental planning standards.
Ultimately, this section gives students the tools to question how “ownership” is measured, mapped, and legally enforced—through science, through story, and through power.