GLO (General Land Office)

The General Land Office (GLO) was a U.S. government agency established in 1812 responsible for managing public lands. It oversaw the surveying, mapping, and sale of federal lands to private individuals and businesses. The GLO played a crucial role in distributing land to settlers, encouraging westward expansion, and recording land titles. Its work helped organize land ownership, reduce disputes, and support development across the United States. In 1946, it merged into the Bureau of Land Management, continuing its mission of land management and public land stewardship.