Historical Map of the United States - West of the Mississippi - 1859
Description
D. McGowan and George H. Hildt���s 1859 map of the United States west of the Mississippi was based on an official map of 1857 produced by the Pacific railroad surveys.
In the 1850's, Americans concluded that they needed to build a transcontinental railroad linking the east and center of the country with the Pacific coast. The U.S. Congress authorized the army topographical service to undertake engineering surveys and general assessments of five possible routes: from Saint Paul, Minnesota; from Council Bluffs, Iowa; from Saint Louis, Missouri; from Memphis, Tennessee; and from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Cities, states, and business groups competed fiercely to be the eastern terminus of the transcontinental railroad.
This map offers an excellent example of a promotional map used to encourage settlement and investment in the American West.
Published in Saint Louis, it emphasizes potential routes emanating from that city. The focus on Pike���s Peak highlights the recent discovery of gold in Colorado.
The map is hand-colored, framed in decorative borders, and shows drainage, state boundaries, cities and towns, and transportation and communication networks.
Materials
Archive Paper
Premium fine art paper that provides accurate color reproduction with high-contrast, high-resolution print output and maximum image permanence. A high-quality print ready for framing.
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- Museum quality paper for high-quality fine art.
- Ultra smooth, neutral white matte finish.
- Heavy-weight 230 gsm, 9.5 mil thickness.
- Printed with pigment inks for longer print life and enhanced fade resistance.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.