Rare Old Map of New Mexico & Arizona by Colton, 1873: Santa Fe, Tucson, Albuquerque, Prescott, and Mesilla

Immerse yourself in the rich history of the United States with this meticulously crafted 1873 map of New Mexico and Arizona, produced by renowned mapmaker J.H. Colton. This exquisite piece provides a rare glimpse into the early development of these regions, at a time when many settlements were still in their infancy and the landscape of the United States was rapidly evolving. As one of the finest American mapmakers of his era, Colton's work is characterized by its exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, offering a unique window into the past.

The 1873 map captures a fascinating snapshot of New Mexico and Arizona's early history. At this time, many of the cities and towns we know today were yet to be founded, and the names and borders that are so familiar to us now were still in flux. This map is a testament to the dynamic nature of history, reflecting the changing socio-political landscape of the time.

The five most notable settlements featured on this map are Santa Fe, Tucson, Albuquerque, Prescott, and Mesilla. Each of these locations holds a unique place in the history of the United States. Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States, was already an established settlement by 1873. Tucson, a city with a rich indigenous history, was just beginning to grow. Albuquerque, now the most populous city in New Mexico, was then a small railroad town. Prescott, the territorial capital of Arizona at the time, was a hub of mining and commerce. Lastly, Mesilla, a town rich in history and culture, was a key player in the Gadsden Purchase.

As you explore this map, you'll be transported back to a time when the United States was still finding its shape. The borders, names, and settlements may have changed over the last 150 years, but the spirit of exploration and discovery that this map embodies remains as relevant today as it was in 1873. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of maps, or simply someone who appreciates the artistry of J.H. Colton's work, this old map of New Mexico and Arizona is sure to captivate and inspire.

New Mexico

1. Santa Fe (1610): Known as the oldest capital city in the United States, Santa Fe was originally occupied by Pueblo Indian villages.
2. Albuquerque (1706): Originally named Ranchos de Albuquerque, it was a small farming community and military outpost along the Camino Real.
3. Las Cruces (1849): Established during the California Gold Rush, it was a key stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route.
4. Taos (1615): Known for the historic Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Socorro (1598): Originally named Nuestra Señora de Perpetuo Socorro, it was a mission center for the surrounding Piro Pueblo.
6. Los Lunas (1716): Named after the Luna family, early Spanish settlers in the region.
7. Las Vegas (1835): Not to be confused with its namesake in Nevada, it was a key stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
8. Bernalillo (1695): Known for the Coronado Historic Site, where the ruins of the ancient Pueblo of Kuaua are located.
9. Silver City (1870): Founded after the discovery of silver ore deposits, it was the home of Billy the Kid.
10. Mesilla (1848): Known for its adobe buildings and was a key player in the Gadsden Purchase.

Arizona

1. Tucson (1775): Originally a Spanish military fort, it has a rich indigenous history.
2. Prescott (1864): The territorial capital of Arizona, it was a hub of mining and commerce.
3. Yuma (1854): Known for the Yuma Territorial Prison, a pioneer prison for the Arizona Territory.
4. Phoenix (1867): Originally an agricultural community, it was named after the mythical bird that rose from its own ashes.
5. Flagstaff (1876): Known for its proximity to the Grand Canyon, it was a key location on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad.
6. Florence (1866): Home to the oldest public building in Arizona, the Pinal County Courthouse.
7. Tombstone (1877): Known for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, one of the most famous gunfights in the history of the American Wild West.
8. Sedona (1876): Known for its vibrant arts community and stunning red rock formations.
9. Winslow (1880): A key stop on the Santa Fe Railroad, it was immortalized in the Eagles' song "Take It Easy".
10. Globe (1875): Founded as a mining camp, it was the site of the Old Dominion Copper Mine.

Native American Tribes

• Apache Tribe: Known for their fierce resistance against the encroachment of settlers.
• Navajo Tribe: The largest Native American tribe in the United States, known for their weaving and silver work.
• Hopi Tribe: Known for their pottery and the ancient village of Oraibi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the United States.
• Pueblo Tribes: Known for their unique architecture and the ancient cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument.
• Zuni Tribe: Known for their intricate inlay jewelry and fetishes.

Notable Natural Features

• Grand Canyon: One of the seven natural wonders of the world, it offers breathtaking views of layered red rock.
• Petrified Forest National Park: Known for its large deposits of petrified wood.
• White Sands National Park: The world's largest gypsum dunefield.
• Saguaro National Park: Home to the nation's largest cacti, the giant saguaro.
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was a major center of Puebloan culture.

Historical Events

• Mexican-American War (1846-1848): This conflict led to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war and ceded the territories of New Mexico and Arizona to the United States.
• Gadsden Purchase (1854): This land deal with Mexico added a portion of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico to the U.S.
• Navajo Long Walk (1864): Over 8,000 Navajo were forced to march from Arizona to New Mexico in an event that is now known as the Long Walk of the Navajo.
• Apache Wars (1861-1886): A series of armed conflicts between the United States and various Apache nations.

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: 18x12in (46x30.5cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x45in (76x114.5cm), 33x50in (84x127cm), 40x60in (102x153cm) and 47x70in (120x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 100in (254cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (61x91.5cm) version of this map.

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

The labels on this map are very small at 12x16in (30.5x41cm). The map is still very attractive, but you may struggle to read the smallest letters. Please buy a larger map if it's important to be able to read the map easily.

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.

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 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.