Rare Old map of Utah & Colorado by J. H. Colton, 1873: Salt Lake City, Denver, Provo, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins

This map, a product of the renowned American mapmaker J. H. Colton, dates back to 1873, a period in history when the United States was still in its early stages of development. It provides a unique snapshot of the states of Utah and Colorado, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past when many settlements were yet to be established and the landscape was vastly different from what we know today.

During this era, the region was still being explored and charted, with many settlements just starting to take root. The map, therefore, serves as a testament to the dynamic nature of history, reflecting the changes that have taken place over the last 150 years. The names and borders depicted on the map may have evolved or changed completely, making this piece an intriguing artifact for those interested in the historical geography of the United States.

The map features the five most notable settlements of the time in Utah and Colorado: Salt Lake City, Denver, Provo, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. Each of these settlements has its own unique history and significance, and their depiction on this map provides a captivating insight into their early development.

Salt Lake City, the capital and most populous city of Utah, was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young and other followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Denver, the capital of Colorado, was established during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in 1858. Provo, located in Utah, was settled by 33 Mormon families in 1849 and is now home to Brigham Young University.

Colorado Springs, established in 1871, was known for its scenic beauty and was often referred to as "Little London" due to its popularity among English tourists. Fort Collins, founded as a military outpost of the United States Army in 1864, is now a vibrant city and home to Colorado State University.

This map by J. H. Colton is a valuable piece for collectors, historians, and anyone with an interest in the early history of the United States. It provides a unique perspective on the development of Utah and Colorado, serving as a window into the past and a testament to the enduring power of cartography. The map's intricate details and historical significance make it a truly remarkable artifact, offering a rich tapestry of history that continues to fascinate and inspire.

Utah

1. Salt Lake City (1847): Known historically as Great Salt Lake City, it's notable as the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
2. Provo (1849): Known for being the location of Brigham Young University, founded by the LDS Church.
3. Ogden (1846): Known as Fort Buenaventura historically, it was a significant railway hub.
4. Logan (1859): Known for being the location of Utah State University.
5. St. George (1861): Notable for its warm climate and as the location of Dixie State University.
6. Fillmore (1851): Named after President Millard Fillmore, it was Utah's first capital.
7. Lehi (1850): Known historically as Dry Creek, it's notable for its early involvement in sugar beet farming.
8. Cedar City (1851): Known for its proximity to rich iron mines and the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
9. Brigham City (1851): Known for its peach orchards and the annual Peach Days celebration.
10. Richfield (1864): Established as a farming community, it's the largest city in central Utah.

Colorado

1. Denver (1858): Known historically as Denver City, it was a mining town during the gold rush.
2. Colorado Springs (1871): Known for its scenic beauty and proximity to Pikes Peak.
3. Boulder (1859): Established as a base for miners, it's now home to the University of Colorado.
4. Golden (1859): Known historically as Golden City, it was the capital of the Colorado Territory.
5. Pueblo (1842): Established as Fort Pueblo, it was a significant trading post.
6. Leadville (1859): Known for its silver mining, it's one of the highest incorporated cities in the U.S.
7. Greeley (1869): Known for its experimental utopian society, the Union Colony.
8. Fort Collins (1864): Established as a military outpost, it's now home to Colorado State University.
9. Durango (1880): Known for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
10. Canon City (1858): Known for its rich fossil areas and the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Native American Tribes

• Ute Tribe: Indigenous to Utah, known for their hunting and gathering lifestyle.
• Shoshone Tribe: Occupied parts of northern Utah, known for their horse culture.
• Paiute Tribe: Inhabited parts of southern Utah, known for their pottery and basketry.
• Cheyenne Tribe: Native to Colorado, known for their warrior culture.
• Arapaho Tribe: Occupied parts of Colorado, known for their peaceful nature and trade practices.

Natural Attractions

• Great Salt Lake: The largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
• Rocky Mountain National Park: Known for its stunning mountain vistas.
• Colorado River: Famous for carving the Grand Canyon.
• Pikes Peak: The most visited mountain in North America.
• Garden of the Gods: Known for its towering sandstone rock formations.

Historical Events

• Pike's Peak Gold Rush (1858-1861): Led to the creation of the Colorado Territory.
• Utah War (1857-1858): A conflict between the U.S. government and the LDS Church.
• Colorado War (1863-1865): A conflict between the U.S. and the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux tribes.
• Creation of the Colorado Territory (1861): Formed from parts of the Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, and New Mexico territories.
• Joining of the Transcontinental Railroad (1869): Promontory Summit, Utah became the meeting point of the Union and Central Pacific Railroads.

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 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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

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

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

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

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 order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

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

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

Almost all of my maps and art prints 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.