Who installed or built the ditches?
Many tile systems were installed independently by farmers, or a group of farmers, to drain their adjacent cropland. Some tile systems drain only a few acres while others drain over 1000 acres. At times, especially with large areas involving many farmers, the farmers would file a County Ditch Petition with the County Commissioners. This action effectively appointed the County Commissioners as an independent agent to contract for construction of the ditch and apportion costs to the affected properties.
