How many sections of land were railroads required to survey per mile of tract constructed according to the Constitution of 1876?

The Constitution of 1876 established guidelines for the surveying of land associated with railroad construction in Texas. According to this historical document, railroads were mandated to survey 16 sections of land for every mile of tract they constructed. This requirement aimed to ensure that railroads provided sufficient land for their right-of-way, which would facilitate not only the construction of rail lines but also the potential development of adjacent areas.

This provision reflects the importance placed on rail transport during that era, as railroads were crucial to the state’s economic development and connectivity. The stipulation of 16 sections is significant in understanding the expansive land grants required to support the rail infrastructure that was vital for transportation and economic growth in post-Civil War Texas.