1855 Reconnaissance and Survey of a Railway Route from Mississippi River near 35th Parallel…to Pacific Ocean
By: Amiel Weekes Whipple
Date: 1855 (dated) Washington D.C.
Dimensions: 26.5 x 75 inches (67.5 x 190.5 cm) approximate size of both maps
This is an authentic antique map showing a proposed route of what would later become much of the Santa Fe Railway by Lieutenant Amiel Weekes Whipple. These are the larger maps that were included in the rare 8vo Pacific Railway atlas published out of Washington D.C., dated 1855.
To quote Wheat, “[Lieut. A. W.Whipple] "had demonstrated that the route which he had surveyed was practicable for a railroad, and the Santa Fe Railroad now traverses much of it … This is an important map, in its two parts, and reflects great credit upon Whipple and his entire party." This pair of matching maps is the result of the explorations and surveys of Lieut. A.W. Whipple and Lieut. J.C. Ives, Topographical Engineers, and A.H. Campbell, Civil Engineer.
The first map begins the route in the vicinity of Memphis and Vicksburg and extends to the Rio Grande valley at Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The second map continues from Albuquerque through Cajon Pass all the way to Los Angeles. Throughout both maps, forts, gold and silver mines, pueblos and Native American lands are located. Also noted along the route is every camp site of the exploring parties totaling 152 days.
Condition: Map is in B with light offsetting and separations fold intersections and light paper toning along the folds. The first map has a 3” binding tear at left. Both maps were originally issued folding.
Inventory #18898
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