Beale [1822-1893] had a long career in the West including Indian Agent, surveyor and camel driver. His most lasting contribution was as a wagon road builder. This map resulted from the survey of a road across present-day Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico and originally appeared in Beale's "Construction of a Wagon Road from Fort Smith to the Colorado River." His route roughly follows the Canadian River and closely parallels or is identical to the trail of Lt. Whipple just a few years earlier. A dotted line indicates where the routes diverge. The map names Van Buren, Fort Smith, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque. Beale's 62 daily campsites are shown.

References: Wheat [TMW] #939; Koepp #1048.

Condition: B

Folding, as issued. Good impression with wide, original margins. Scattered light foxing in map.