Railroads played a critical role in western expansion during the 19th century. Railroad companies encouraged people to settle in the frontier. They promoted communities, sold land, and were a source of employment. As a result of their efforts, immigrants from the eastern states, as well as those from Europe and Russia, relocated throughout the West. Railroad maps provide a fascinating glimpse into the motivations of many of these immigrants.

A. Map of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway, and Connections, by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway (14.1 x 10.2"). This map appears on an advertising broadside promoting land for sale in eastern Missouri and Arkansas. It shows the United States east of the Rockies, but focuses on the railroads' routes and stations from St. Louis through Arkansas and into Texas. In Texas the rail routes extend to Austin, Dallas, Columbia, Galveston, and Waco. The title appears in a fancy scroll. The verso contains over 70 column inches of promotional prose describing the region in the finest of terms and ascribing the sparse population to "the want of reliable information" on the area's charms. One advertising panel titled "Cheap Homes!" suggests that two crops can be grown on the same ground each year and where there are "Good People" and "No Grasshoppers." A great land promotional broadside published by the railroad. At bottom in margin is the agent's stamp in purple ink: Henry H. Hannan, Land Agent, Swan Creek, Ohio. Condition: Issued folding with a few tiny splits at the fold junctions.

B. Map of the St. Louis Cape Giradeau and Fort Smith Railway & Connections, from Commercial & Financial Chronicle, published 1891 (6.8 x 11.0"). Condition: Near fine.
C. Map of the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad and the Choctaw & Memphis R.R., from Commercial & Financial Chronicle, published 1901 (10.9 x 6.7"). Condition: Near fine.

These two maps were published in the Investor’s Supplement of the Commercial & Financial Chronicle in 1891 and 1901, respectively. The maps provide a detailed view of the railways and the surrounding countryside including even the smallest towns. An additional map, Map of the San Antonio and Arkansas Pass Railways and Connections, appears on the verso of 1891 map.

References:

Condition: A

See description above.