1852 Map of the State of Texas from the Latest Authorities
By: J.H. Young / Thomas Cowperthwait & Co.
Date: 1852 (dated) Philadelphia
Dimensions: 13 x 15.75 inches (33 x 40 cm)
This 1852 map of Texas, created by J.H. Young and published by Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co., provides a detailed and dynamic view of the state at a time of rapid expansion, settlement, and conflict. It presents county divisions, settlements, major roads, trails, and geographic features, while also incorporating valuable annotations that describe the conditions of Texas’ vast and often untamed frontier.
Galveston: Texas’ Economic Gateway
In the 1850s, Galveston served as the main gateway for trade, immigration, and commerce, connecting Texas to national and international markets. As the largest city in Texas at the time, it played a crucial role in the export of cotton, cattle, and other goods, making it one of the most economically significant locations in the state. The inset map of Galveston City highlights the structured layout of this bustling port, reflecting its importance in shaping Texas' development. The prominence of Galveston in this map underscores the state's increasing reliance on maritime trade and its growing integration into the global economy.
The Unsettled Frontier: Annotations and Indigenous Lands
Throughout the western and southern portions of Texas, several annotations provide a glimpse into the challenges and characteristics of life on the frontier. The map marks regions where "wild horses and cattle" roamed freely, a reference to the large herds of mustangs and cattle that had multiplied across the open plains, remnants of Spanish ranching efforts. Along the Rio Grande, a significant landmark labeled as the “Grand Indian Crossing” indicates a well-known route used by indigenous groups such as the Comanche and Apache, who frequently moved between Texas and Mexico for trade, seasonal migrations, and raids.
Various trails and military routes crisscross the landscape, including the Presidio Trail, the El Paso Route, and the Comanche War Trail, all of which played a role in the movement of settlers, soldiers, and indigenous groups. The presence of these roads highlights the increasing push for infrastructure and connectivity, but also reveals the contested nature of these lands, where different groups struggled for control.
A Land of Conflict: Settlers, Comanche, and the Texas Rangers
The mid-19th century was marked by intense conflicts between white settlers and indigenous nations, particularly the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache. The Comanche, long dominant in the region, continued to resist U.S. expansion into their traditional lands, frequently launching raids into frontier settlements and extending their reach as far as Mexico in pursuit of horses and resources. In response, the Texas Rangers, a force originally established during the Republic of Texas, played a central role in defending settlements and conducting campaigns against indigenous groups. By 1852, the Rangers were engaged in near-constant conflict, utilizing their knowledge of the terrain and guerrilla-style tactics to counter the mobility of Comanche warriors.
Despite these efforts, much of West Texas remained under the control of indigenous nations, as indicated by the map’s references to Apache territory and the Comanche-inhabited Rolling Table Lands. These vast regions, though technically part of the state, were far from being fully settled or controlled by Anglo-American authorities. This reality highlights the complexities of territorial expansion, where Texas was simultaneously growing in infrastructure and population while still struggling to exert full control over its vast western lands. A series of forts can be found along the furthest extent of existing counties that underscore the settlers'' need for protection from Comanche raids.
Condition: Map is in A condition with a narrow top margin and small area of foxing in the bottom right margin. Colors are bright and bold on clean paper with ample margins for framing.
Inventory #12954.
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