[3] Lafayette is a six by six mile square, except that the north side is irregular, following the course of the Yellow River.

The six by six mile squares that became Lafayette were first surveyed in the fall of 1848 by crews working for the U.S. government.

In August and September 1849 another crew marked all the section corners of the eastern half of modern Lafayette (and the west half of modern Sigle), walking the woods and swamps on foot, measuring with chain and compass.

[4][5] When done, the deputy surveyor filed this general description: The Surface in the North-Eastern part of this Township is flat - the Soil wet and poor.

The timber is small and thrifty - chiefly Maple, Birch Oak, Elm Ash and some small Pine.- It is tolerably well watered - the banks of the Streams are generally low and frequently overflow.

[6]For the surveyors' description of the square that includes the west half of modern Lafayette, see Hallie.