Map of the United States showing the Principal Travelling Turnpike and Common Roads.

Unusual and interesting map of the United States showing the scope and ambition of infrastructure projects either under way or planned in the first part of the 19th century.

This map was presented by Mitchell in his “Compendium of internal Improvements in the United States” in 1835. Hence the reason that Arkansas and Michigan are still Territories while the western border is confusingly labelled “Missouri Territory” and superimposed upon several Native American tribal names.

The title makes a reference to the road network, especially Turnpikes. These are 19th century toll roads. Of equal interest is the rail network, particularly the red lines present on the map. According to the legend on the centre right, these are “proposed railways” and an indicator of the ambition and scope of the various civic authorities for connecting their vast new country.

The lower right corner bears a set of eight insets of important population centres and trade hubs. They include New York City, Philadelphia and Boston among others.

A fascinating early cartographic piece of American history just before the announcement of the independence of Texas and further westward expansion.

Original colour. [USA9623]