Historic Railroad Map of the Midwest - 1857
Description
Map of the Iowa Central Air Line Rail Road and its connections.
This map of the north-central United States was published in 1857 by G.W. & C.B. Colton & Co. It features portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. Displayed are counties, cities, towns, waterways, and the railroad and steamboat network of the 1850's. The inset map at the bottom provides a broad look at the northern United States.
Air Line railroads were the talk of the day in the 1850's. In the days before air travel, Air Line was a popular railroad reference to a straight-line, or bee-line between two destinations. The Iowa Central Air Line Railroad was a much talked about and little realized railroad that was organized in 1853. The line was set up to be paid for by bonds that were purchased by Iowa residents hoping for better east west transportation through the state. It was planned to run all the way to Council Bluffs. It was envisioned that it would start from the Mississippi River near Sabula and operate west along the forty-second parallel to the Missouri River where it was supposed to continue all the way to California using the southern route. The line was completed from Lyon to just north of Iowa City when construction ceased due to a great deal of misappropriation of funds by company officers. The stop-work order left stock holders and unpaid workers irate. Many were paid off using calico from the company store at Lyon. This gave the railroad the nickname “Calico Railroad”. The company land grants were received by the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad after the Iowa Central let them expire in 1859. The Iowa Central Air Line Railroad left a bad impression on Iowans for sometime afterwards.
This map was published in the year before Minnesota was made the thirty-second state with St. Paul as its capital. St. Paul grew quickly with increased manufacturing and transportation opportunities and valuable railroad facilities.
This map of the north-central United States was published in 1857 by G.W. & C.B. Colton & Co. It features portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. Displayed are counties, cities, towns, waterways, and the railroad and steamboat network of the 1850's. The inset map at the bottom provides a broad look at the northern United States.
Air Line railroads were the talk of the day in the 1850's. In the days before air travel, Air Line was a popular railroad reference to a straight-line, or bee-line between two destinations. The Iowa Central Air Line Railroad was a much talked about and little realized railroad that was organized in 1853. The line was set up to be paid for by bonds that were purchased by Iowa residents hoping for better east west transportation through the state. It was planned to run all the way to Council Bluffs. It was envisioned that it would start from the Mississippi River near Sabula and operate west along the forty-second parallel to the Missouri River where it was supposed to continue all the way to California using the southern route. The line was completed from Lyon to just north of Iowa City when construction ceased due to a great deal of misappropriation of funds by company officers. The stop-work order left stock holders and unpaid workers irate. Many were paid off using calico from the company store at Lyon. This gave the railroad the nickname “Calico Railroad”. The company land grants were received by the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad after the Iowa Central let them expire in 1859. The Iowa Central Air Line Railroad left a bad impression on Iowans for sometime afterwards.
This map was published in the year before Minnesota was made the thirty-second state with St. Paul as its capital. St. Paul grew quickly with increased manufacturing and transportation opportunities and valuable railroad facilities.
Materials
Archival 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
Framed - Black Finish
Our gallery quality frames are made of solid wood and feature optical-grade acrylic. Each framed map is printed on premium archival matte fine art paper.
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- Printed on thick, luxurious acid-free fine art paper & dry-mounted to foam board.
- Pigment inks ensure a vivid print with amazing colors and excellent fade resistance.
- Solid wood frame with a black finish has a 1.25" face & 7/8" depth.
- Kraft paper protective backing & hanging wire installed.
Framed - Natural Oak Finish
Our gallery quality frames are made of solid wood and feature optical-grade acrylic. Each framed map is printed on premium archival matte fine art paper.
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- Printed on thick, luxurious acid-free fine art paper & dry-mounted to foam board.
- Pigment inks ensure a vivid print with amazing colors and excellent fade resistance.
- Solid wood frame with a natural oak finish has a 1.25" face & 7/8" depth.
- Kraft paper protective backing & hanging wire installed.
Made In The USA
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