Buchanan Township lies in the northern part of Renfrew County and was surveyed in the mid-19th century as part of Ontario’s Crown land distribution strategy. Though it never supported a large population, its lands were divided according to the standard concession system, with lots typically ranging from 100 to 200 acres. Settlement was slow, and many original patents were issued to absentee landowners or speculators.

The township’s sparse development meant few urban subdivisions, but its concession roads and original lot layouts remain largely unaltered. The terrain is a mixture of shallow soils and exposed Canadian Shield, limiting its agricultural use and preserving its original grid.

For land surveyors, Buchanan offers relatively intact cadastral records. Survey monuments placed during the initial surveys often remain undisturbed due to limited development, making retracement work unusually clean. Historical survey notebooks from the 1860s remain valuable resources for confirming original linework.