The 1870s was a period of intense effort, by such prominent people as Clarence King, Ferdinand Hayden, and John Wesley Powell, to advance the geographical knowledge of the West. These various surveys presented a threat to the Army's supremacy in the field of mapping and to the related appropriations from Congress. As a result of these pressures, the Army Corp of Engineers developed a plan to systematically survey the entire West to be called the U.S. Geographical Surveys West of the One Hundredth Meridian. The region was divided up into 95 rectangles, with atlas sheets to be prepared for each, comprising an area 2°45' of longitude and 1°40' of latitude on a scale of eight miles to the inch. Lieutenant George Wheeler was chosen to head this immense project. Surveys were conducted each summer from 1872 to 1878, after which Congress cut off appropriations for field work; thus the survey was not completed as originally envisioned. Wheeler published annual reports from 1873 to 1884, as well as the final Geographical Report published in 1889. The maps from this report are a valuable document of the record of Western exploration.

This is Wheeler's 1876 report on Surveys West of the 100th Meridian that emphasizes the work completed in southern California. The report covers a broad range of topics and features geological reports by Jules Marcou and Oscar Loew, an ethnology report also by Loew, and an ornithology paper by H.W. Henshaw. Included with the 335 pages of text are the following three folding maps:

Outline Map of Parts of Southern California & South-Western Nevada, Showing the Relative Areas of Drainage... (19 x 14.3"). This map covers the region from San Diego north to Santa Cruz and east to the Sierra Nevadas. The map uses color and texture to identify three drainage regions: Coast Drainage, Great Valley Drainage, and the Interior Basin. The "Visalia Div. S.P.R.R." runs down the Great Valley Drainage meeting the Southern Pacific Railroad, and the "Old Salt Lake Road" runs northwest out of San Bernardino to a tiny Las Vegas. Condition: Mostly clean and bright with a faint damp stain confined to the top blank margin. (A)

Topographical Sketch Showing the Outward and Inward Route of a Party, While Examining the Practicability of a Diversion of the Colorado River for Purposes of Irrigation... (18.5 x 14.75"). This highly detailed lithograph covers the region from Los Angeles to Needles and north to the Las Vegas area, documenting the expedition's route. As the title suggests, the expedition's task was in understanding the viability of rerouting water from the Colorado River to southeastern California. In addition to highlighting the expedition's route, the map shows highly detailed topography and the early road system. Condition: Clean and bright with a fold separation at bottom that just touches the neatline and has been closed on verso with archival tape. (A)

Progress Map of the U.S. Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian... (22 x 16.2"). Condition: The lower left corner of the map (approximately 5-6" tall and wide) has been torn off with a light damp stain in the top blank margin (D).

In addition to the three large folding maps, there is a Diagram of the Initial Astronomical Stations...West of the 100th Meridian (14.5 x 22.8"), 4 smaller folding sketch maps, and one profile view. Hardbound in brown cloth with gilt title on spine. A printed "With the Compliments of George M. Wheeler" slip is pasted onto the inside front cover.

References:

Condition:

See description above for map condition and grades. Text is clean and tight. Covers have typical shelf wear with a small chip near the head of the spine.