1861 Report Upon the Colorado River of the West, explored in 1857 and 1858 by Lieutenant Joseph C. Ives
DESCRIPTION
Report Upon the Colorado River of the West, explored in 1857 and 1858 by Lieutenant Joseph C. Ives, corps of Topographical Engineers, Under the Direction of the Office of Explorations and Surveys, A.A. Humphreys, Captain Topographical Engineer in Charge. – FIRST EDITION
By: Lieutenant Joseph C. Ives
Published by: Government Printing Office
Date: 1861 (dated) Washington D.C.
Best known as the engineer and architect of the Washington Monument, Joseph Ives was promoted to first lieutenant in 1857 so that he could officially lead an expedition up the Colorado River from its mouth in the Gulf of California. The primary objective was to in gain intelligence on suitable supply routes in the event of a potential war between the United States and the Mormon settlements in their self-proclaimed state of Deseret.
Ives purchased a steamboat (featured on the original cover) in Philadelphia, had it disassembled and shipped to the Isthmus of Panama, moved overland to the Pacific coast and shipped north to the mouth of the Colorado River where the expedition would meet and begin their journey, launching on New Year’s Eve, of 1857. While no full-blown war ever erupted between the United States and Mormon Settlers of Utah, the expedition did mark the first exploration of the Grand Canyon, naming it “Big Canyon of the Colorado,” and offered new and updated information on the people, flora, and fauna of the region.
About the Maps
The cartographic material produced from this expedition includes two maps of the “Rio Colorado of the West.”
The first map is done in four panels and follows the route of Ives during their 57 day journey from the mouth of the Colorado to Fortification Rock, which is now known as Rock Island as the surrounding area was flooded when the Hoover Dam was constructed, producing Lake Mead outside of Las Vegas. It was at this point that the river steamer could not continue as a result of too many rapids and rock hazards.
The second map shows much of the New Mexico Territory from the California border to Fort Defiance and presents the first printed depiction of the Grand Canyon (Big Canyon of the Colorado) to be printed on a map. It also delineates the overland route of the expedition from Beal’s Crossing (day 59) to the south rim of the Grand Canyon (day 73) through the San Francisco Forest (Flagstaff, AZ), to the Moquis Pueblos, ending in Ft. Defiance on day 103.
These maps and the exploration of the Grand Canyon from its mouth would set the stage for the Powell Expedition to descend the Colorado River from northern Utah on 1869, completing the journey and mapping the largest river in the United States that feeds into the Pacific. In addition to the maps, the book contains many views and sketches (several that fold out) of the Grand Canyon, Moquis people, desert and mountainous landscapes, and fossils.
Condition:
Inventory #11203
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622
CONDITION
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622