Historic Map - Alton, IL - 1867
Description
View of Alton, Madison County, I.L., 1867 / drawn & published by A. Ruger.
This panoramic print of Alton, Illinois was drawn by Albert Ruger and published by Chicago Lith. Co. in 1867. Alton, along the Mississippi River, was established in the 1830's as an accessible port for flat-bottom steamers used in the transportation of the area’s valuable agricultural produce.
Its low-bank portage became an early concern for Alton, as it was susceptible to flooding, resulting in many of the streets being paved using bricks made at the community’s own brickworks. This somewhat solved drainage of the town’s arterial streets.
Alton was the site of the last Lincoln/Douglas debate just before the election of 1858 and in the years preceding the American Civil War was an important harbor and haven to the underground railroad. During the war, Alton’s prison was used to hold several thousand Confederate prisoners. A smallpox epidemic in 1863 claimed nearly 2,000 of them.
The map from 1867 includes labeled streets, buildings and railroad route. It portrays steamboat activities and notes the “Ben. Campbell”, the “Wester”, and the “Lucy Bertram” steam paddle boats.
Features references to the following locations:
- City Hall.
- Union School.
- Rail Road Depot.
- Old Prison.
- Convent.
- Shurtleff College U. A.
- Catholic Cathedral.
- Presbyterian Church.
- Episcopal Church.
- Baptist Church.
- Unitarian Church.
- Methodist Church.
- Cumberland Church.
- Catholic Church.
- Upper Alton.
- Alton House.
- Cave Spring.
Materials
Archive Paper
Premium fine art paper that provides accurate color reproduction with high-contrast, high-resolution print output and maximum image permanence. A high-quality print ready for framing.
More
- Museum quality paper for high-quality fine art.
- Ultra smooth, neutral white matte finish.
- Heavy-weight 230 gsm, 9.5 mil thickness.
- Printed with pigment inks for longer print life and enhanced fade resistance.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
Luster Photo Paper
A premium semi-gloss photo paper with a subtle texture that produces a vivid, richly detailed print. This material results in an exquisitely detailed giclee print of substantially higher quality than a standard poster.
More
- Printed on 10 mil premium luster photo paper resulting in a brilliant, colorful image with a vivid life-like quality.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
- Inks have a lightfastness rating of over 100 years, guaranteeing minimal noticeable fading over a very long period of time.
- Printed using very high resolution source files.
- Giclee printing is superior to traditional lithography in a number of ways: colors are brighter, lasts longer, and is a higher resolution.
Canvas on Wood Rails
A canvas giclee print is mounted to wooden hanging rails placed along the top and bottom of the map. Ready to hang on the wall using the attached hanging cord. Wood rails feature a natural finish.
More
- Premium 19 mil canvas material.
- Wood rails are 1 1/8" wide, round front.
- USA sourced solid maple wood.
- High quality giclee fine art print with a lightfastness rating of over 100 years.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
Canvas Gallery Wrap
A high quality canvas giclee print is hand stretched over a sturdy wood frame. Printed on demand and handcrafted in Seattle, WA. The canvas gallery wrap serves as a stunning piece of art ready to hang on your wall.
More
- Premium 19 mil canvas material.
- Pigment based Canon LUCIA inks provide smooth tones and rich colors in fine, precise detail.
- High quality giclee fine art print with a lightfastness rating of over 100 years.
- Durable canvas mounted to a 1" deep wood frame.
- Ready to hang with included easy-to-use hanging kit.