This set of four matching maps represent the effort to map the Mullan Wagon Road. This road was the most famous road ever constructed in the high Northwest, according to Wheat. These four map were produced to show the path of the road. The lot consists of the following:

1) "Map of the Military Reconnaissance from Fort Dalles, Oregon, via Fort Wallah-Wallah, to Fort Taylor, Washington Territory…" (35.5 x 21.3"). This map follows the Columbia River from The Dalles in the Cascades east to Ft. Taylor well above the Wallah-Wallah Valley. Locates the Umatillah and Wallah Wallah Rivers as well as several creeks.
2) "Map of the Military Reconnaissance from Fort Taylor to the Coeur d'Alene Mission, Washington Territory…" (20.3 x 21.6"). It shows the Snake River entering the Columbia at Fort Taylor and extends to today's northern Idaho. Locates Coeur d'Alene Lake.
3) The most important map of the series is, "Map of the Mountain Section of the Ft. Walla Walla & Ft. Benton Military Wagon Road from Coeur d'Alene Lake to the Dearborn River..." (49.5 x 21"- on two sheets joined). It is considered to be the most significant both from an historic and a technical viewpoint. It is historically important for the illustration of developments in the region; gold mines, the location of La Barge City, Johnny Grants and habitations of early settlers such as Dempsey, Barr and Adams. It is also a technical tour de force as it was the " first ... general map using the contour method to represent topography ... in the west."
4) "Map of the Military Road from Fort Walla Walla on the Columbia to Fort Benton on the Missouri…" (34 x 17.7"). Wheat calls this the fourth map, but it really is an overall map showing the entire route. Locates gold mines, forts, proposed railroad routes, and much more. Mountains shown in hachure.
5) Plus, the lot includes a Secretary of War document containing the "Reports of Capt. William Mills and Lieut. William J. Turner concerning work performed on the Mullan wagon road, Montana Territory. 20 pp. Doc. No. 3, 46th Cong. 2nd Sess., (5.5" x 6").

References: Wheat (TMW) #1077, 1078, 1079 & 1080.

Condition: B

All maps are folding, as issued. With occasional light toning on folds and fold intersection splits.