The collection consists of sketches and (some with negatives and others photocopied with pictures of buildings) and survey notes (with related subdivision plat maps, blueprints, and correspondence) of Emory W. Tappan, a registered surveyor and civil engineer. Tappan's early association was with the firm Postiff and Tappan of Detroit, Michigan. Later, papers refer only to Emory W. Tappan, Civil Engineer and Surveyor, Registered, 413 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan.

Most of the surveys are from Ingham County (others are from Clinton, Eaton, Ionia, Otsego, and Antrim Counties) and were done for Lansing area realtors, insurance and finance companies, banks, business and industrial firms, and private individuals. Still others were done for architects, churches, schools, and the state and federal government.

Many of the surveys involve lots with buildings on them or parcels of land, while some are surveys for subdivisions or topographical surveys. Others relate to release and warranty deeds, estates, testimony in court cases, division or conveyance of ownership, assessments, and zoning changes. One is the survey of the area adjacent to he scene of an accident, with notes on visibility; while several others relate to proposed sites for the East Lansing post office, and include topographical specifications, soil tests, vouchers for purchases, and survey notes for the chosen site, on Abbot Road (#590, 593).

Tappan did the surveying for a Works Progress Administration project in St. Johns, Michigan, in 1935 (survey #720). Included are a proposal for the development of a city park, survey notes, and notes on construction, grading, and materials.

Several surveys for Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) include surveys for cross country courses (#1438, 1962, 3099). A letter signed by MSC President John A. Hannah relates to private surveys for him (#4330).

A negative file in box 3 contains photo negatives related to some surveys.