1864 Johnson's California with Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona
By: Johnson & Ward
Date: 1864 (published) New York
Dimensions: 17.5 x 24 inches (44.5 x 61 cm)
This is handsome map of the American Southwest showing the state of California and the territories of Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The map was published during the Civil War, when westward expansion was well underway but prior to the completion of any trans-continental railroad, when the west was truly wild!
The map presents what would become the southwestern states in a period of constant change, with regards of the indigenous people that inhabited the land for over millennia prior, the new settlers and miners pouring into the region, territorial boundaries, expansive counties, and continual founding of new towns and settlements. Wagon routes and paths of exploration from past expeditions are delineated throughout the map, many with names and dates that include Captain Sitgreaves (1851), Captain Gunnison (1853), Lieut. Fremont (1842,43,45), Proposed Pacific Railroad routes, the Spanish Trail from Great Salt Lake to Santa Fe, and the short-lived yet legendary route of the Pony Express, to name a few.
The map captures a time when the southwestern United States was still sparsely populated and defined by vast stretches of untamed land. Settlement and exploration were influenced by the recent end of the Mexican-American War in 1848, which had incorporated these lands into the United States. The Southwest's development during this period was driven by mining, agriculture, and the gradual influx of settlers seeking opportunities in the West.
About Alvin Jewett Johnson
Alvin Jewett Johnson (1827–1884) was an influential American publisher and mapmaker known for his detailed and decorative maps of the United States. Initially working as a book canvasser, Johnson shifted his focus to cartography in the 1850s, partnering with other notable mapmakers to produce maps and atlases. By the early 1860s, Johnson had established his own publishing company, producing his signature Johnson’s Family Atlas, which included some of the most accurate and finely detailed maps of the era. Johnson's maps were known for their distinct borders and meticulous attention to political boundaries, making them popular for both educational and decorative purposes. His work provides a valuable historical record of the American landscape during a period of significant expansion and change.
Condition: Map is in B+ condition with exception color over clean paper. The only condition issue is the top left margin which has somewhat deteriorated just above the page number. Still, enough margin remains for framing.
Inventory #12888
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