The six mile square that would become the town of Rock was first surveyed in the summer of 1851 by a crew working for the U.S. government.

That fall another crew marked all the section corners of the six mile squares, walking through the woods and wading the swamps, measuring with chain and compass.

[3][4] When done, the deputy surveyor filed this general description: The general character of this Township is 2d & 3d rate the soil is mostly poor loam & sand, the timber is mostly Birch Oak Aspen TamaracK & Pine the Pine is 2d growth & very poor.

and If attended to would eventually alter the kinds of Timber to Oak as in places It can be distinctly seen where the fire has been the most severe.

The streams are not durable being fed by the swamps the surface is generally level & somewhat stony The stone being a sandstone of a reddish color.