During the 1850s, the U.S. government sponsored an extensive series of expeditions designed to gather information on the vast new territories that had been acquired in western North America. The discovery of gold in California further stimulated westward traffic and heightened the need for a faster and more convenient way to bring the far-flung parts of the country together. In 1853 Congress commissioned the Army's Topographic Bureau to conduct a series of surveys to find a suitable route for a transcontinental railroad. There were six major expeditions; five of them covered the area between the Great Plains and west coast, and the sixth explored the coastal states of California and Oregon. All of these expeditions were accompanied by naturalists and artists to document the landscape, flora and fauna along the route. The reports, maps and lithographs were published in the 13 volume report "Explorations and Surveys to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a Railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific Ocean."

This map details the proposed routes across the territories of Missouri and part of Kansas. Three proposed railroad routes are shown and named. The North Missouri R.R. heads north from above Washington on the Missouri River. The Pacific R.R. follows the Missouri R. to Jefferson City then on to Independence where it reconnects with the Missouri and then moves upstream along the Kansas River. The South West Branch heads southwest to Springfield and beyond.

References: Wheat (TMW) #843.

Condition: B

Tissue backed with toning along folds.