This lot contains a pair of maps illustrating the historical Northern Pacific Railroad, which connected the Great Lakes with Puget Sound, opening vast new agricultural and mining lands and linking Washington and Oregon to the rest of the country. The railroad was chartered by Congress in 1864 and construction began in 1870, but due to several financial obstacles including bankruptcy, was not completed until 1883. It continued to expand and was embroiled in the financial panics and monopolies that dominated the railroad industry at the end of the 19th century.

A. Map of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and Connections by Rand McNally, published 1881, (29 x 7.8"). This map is contained in the 48 pp. Annual Report for the Northern Pacific Railroad. This report was issued shortly after the company had been taken over by Henry Villard. The folding map of the northern United States details the lines of the Northern Pacific Railroad from Chicago to the coastal cities in Oregon and Washington. The route is shaded on both sides to depict the railroad lands for sale. The report gives details on the condition of the rail lines, construction progress, and land sales. Condition - the map has one tiny fold separation that just passes the neatline, else fine. The report is complete. (A)

B. Northern Pacific Railway by L.L. Poates, dated 1899, (28.8 x 10.8"). This map covers approximately the same area as the first, but with updated information as of 1899. In the intervening years the Northern Pacific Railroad had suffered its second bankruptcy resulting in control eventually falling to John Pierpont Morgan. The existing lines are highlighted in red and the proposed lines are dashed red. Indian, Forest and Military Reservations are noted. (A+)

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See descriptions.