Old map of Minnesota & Dakota by Colton, 1860: St. Paul, Minneapolis, St. Anthony, Mendota, and Pembina

Delve into the past with this captivating map of Minnesota & Dakota, crafted by the esteemed J. H. Colton in 1860. This piece offers a rare glimpse into the early history of the United States, during a time when many settlements were still nascent and the landscape of the nation was in constant flux. Colton, widely recognized as the finest American mapmaker of his era, meticulously captured the region as it stood over 150 years ago, providing a unique perspective on the evolution of this area.

This map holds historical significance, not only as a representation of Minnesota & Dakota in the mid-19th century, but also as a testament to the cartographic prowess of Colton. It was created during a period when the United States was still in its infancy, and many settlements were yet to be founded. The geographical features, names, and borders depicted on this map have likely undergone significant changes since 1860, making it a fascinating artifact for historians, cartographers, and anyone with an interest in the past.

The map features five notable settlements that existed in Minnesota & Dakota in 1855. These include St. Paul, the state capital of Minnesota, and Minneapolis, the largest city in the state. St. Anthony, which later merged with Minneapolis, is also depicted, along with Mendota, one of the earliest permanent settlements in Minnesota. Pembina, the oldest European-American settlement in North Dakota, is also highlighted. These settlements serve as a testament to the region's rich history and the pioneering spirit of its early inhabitants.

This piece is a testament to the precision and dedication of J. H. Colton, and it offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of Minnesota & Dakota through the lens of one of America's finest mapmakers. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of cartography, or simply appreciate the beauty of old maps, this piece is sure to captivate and inspire.

Minnesota

1. St. Paul (1841): Known as Pig's Eye until 1841, it became the capital of Minnesota and is now the second most populous city in the state.
2. Minneapolis (1856): Known as the "City of Lakes," it later merged with St. Anthony and is now the largest city in Minnesota.
3. St. Anthony (1849): Originally a separate city, it merged with Minneapolis in 1872.
4. Mendota (1834): One of the earliest permanent settlements in Minnesota, it was a critical center of the fur trade.
5. Stillwater (1843): Known as the "Birthplace of Minnesota," it was the site of the territorial convention that led to Minnesota's statehood.
6. Bloomington (1858): Originally a farming and milling community, it is now one of the largest cities in the state.
7. Red Wing (1851): Named after a Sioux chief, it became a major center of wheat production.
8. Winona (1851): Established as a lumber town, it became an important steamboat port.
9. Anoka (1856): Known as the "Halloween Capital of the World," it was a significant site for potato farming.
10. Duluth (1856): Established as a fur and mining town, it is now a major port city.

Dakota

1. Pembina (1797): The oldest European-American settlement in North Dakota, it was a critical fur trading post.
2. Fargo (1851): Originally known as Centralia, it became a major transportation hub.
3. Bismarck (1823): Known as Missouri until 1873, it is now the capital of North Dakota.
4. Grand Forks (1820): Established as a fur trading post, it later became a major agricultural center.
5. Yankton (1859): Served as the capital of Dakota Territory from 1861 until 1883.
6. Vermillion (1859): Known for its clay deposits, it became a center for pottery production.
7. Deadwood (1857): Famous for its gold rush, it was the site of Wild Bill Hickok's murder.
8. Sioux Falls (1856): Named after the falls on the Big Sioux River, it became a major center for quarrying.
9. Jamestown (1872): Known as "The Buffalo City," it was a significant site for buffalo hunting.
10. Devils Lake (1857): Named after the nearby body of water, it was a major fishing and hunting site.

Indian Tribes

• Dakota Sioux: Inhabited the region for hundreds of years prior to European settlement.
• Ojibwe (Chippewa): Occupied the northern parts of Minnesota.
• Assiniboine and Lakota: Occupied parts of Dakota.

Notable Natural Phenomena

• Mississippi River: The largest river in North America, it is a major tourist attraction today.
• Lake Superior: The largest of the Great Lakes, it is a popular destination for boating and fishing.
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: A beautiful network of waterways and forests.
• Badlands: A striking landscape of rugged beauty in Dakota.

Historical Events

• Treaty of Traverse des Sioux (1851): The Dakota Sioux ceded land in Minnesota to the U.S. government.
• Dakota War of 1862: Conflict between the United States and several bands of the eastern Dakota (also known as the Santee Sioux).

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 70in (178cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.