Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of American history with this exquisitely detailed old map of Nebraska and Kansas from 1856. Crafted by the renowned mapmaker J. H. Colton, widely acclaimed as the finest American mapmaker of his era, this map offers a unique glimpse into the early days of these territories, a time when the United States was still in its formative years. The map showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that are the hallmarks of Colton's work, and it stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of exploration and discovery that defined this epoch.
This map hails from a period when many of the settlements we know today were yet to be founded. It paints a vivid picture of a time when Nebraska and Kansas were largely uncharted territories, waiting to be explored and settled. The names and borders of these territories have changed significantly over the last 150 years, and this map offers a fascinating insight into the fluidity of geographical and political boundaries. The settlements of Omaha, Bellevue, Nebraska City, Leavenworth, and Lawrence, which are among the most notable on the map, have played pivotal roles in the shaping of modern-day Nebraska and Kansas.
As a piece of historical cartography, this map is not just a geographical representation, but a narrative of the human journey. It is a testament to the courage and ambition of the pioneers who ventured into the unknown, and the transformative power of human endeavor. This map offers a rare opportunity to delve into the past and experience the world as it was seen by those who lived and breathed the spirit of the American frontier. It is a remarkable testament to the ever-evolving story of the United States, and a priceless artifact for anyone with an appreciation for history and cartography.
Nebraska
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Omaha (1854): Known as the "Gateway to the West," Omaha was a major transportation hub on the Missouri River.
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Bellevue (1822): The oldest continuous town in Nebraska, Bellevue was a fur trading post and Indian Agency.
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Nebraska City (1854): A major hub on the Missouri River, it was an important site for westward expansion.
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Fort Kearny (1848): A military outpost established to protect travelers on the Oregon Trail.
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Brownville (1854): An important river port and a contender for the state capital.
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Fontenelle (1854): Named after Logan Fontenelle, an Omaha tribe interpreter.
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Florence (1854): Home to the Winter Quarters, a temporary settlement for Mormon pioneers.
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Dakota City (1855): One of the oldest settlements in Nebraska, it was a key trading and transportation center.
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Saratoga (1854): Now part of Omaha, it was originally founded as an independent city.
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Dodge (1855): Named after Iowa Senator Augustus C. Dodge, it was a significant frontier settlement.
Kansas
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Leavenworth (1854): The first city incorporated in Kansas, it was a key supply base during the Civil War.
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Lawrence (1854): Founded by anti-slavery settlers, it was the site of the infamous "Bleeding Kansas" battles.
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Fort Scott (1842): Established to keep peace between settlers and Native Americans.
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Manhattan (1855): Known as the "Little Apple," it's home to Kansas State University.
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Atchison (1854): Named after Senator David Rice Atchison, it was a key river port.
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Topeka (1854): Now the state capital, it was a Free-State town during the "Bleeding Kansas" era.
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Burlington (1857): Founded by pro-slavery settlers, it was a center of the "Bleeding Kansas" conflict.
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Emporia (1857): Named after ancient Carthage's marketplace, it's home to the first Normal School (teacher's college) in Kansas.
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Osawatomie (1854): Site of the Battle of Osawatomie between pro-slavery and abolitionist forces.
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Lecompton (1854): Once the pro-slavery capital of Kansas, it's now a National Historic Landmark.
Native American Tribes
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Omaha Tribe: Inhabited northeastern Nebraska.
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Otoe Tribe: Occupied central and eastern Nebraska.
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Pawnee Tribe: Resided in central and northern Nebraska.
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Kansa Tribe: Inhabited the area that is now Kansas.
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Osage Tribe: Lived in southern Kansas.
Natural Features
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Missouri River: Forms the eastern boundary of both states and was a vital transportation route.
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Platte River: Crosses Nebraska and was a key route for westward expansion.
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Kansas River: Flows through Kansas and was an important waterway for Native Americans and settlers.
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Chimney Rock: A prominent landmark in western Nebraska for Oregon Trail travelers.
Historical Events
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Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): Created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, opening new lands for settlement and allowing the question of slavery to be decided by residents.
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Bleeding Kansas (1854-1859): A series of violent civil confrontations over the question of whether Kansas would enter the Union as a slave state or a free state.
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.