Historic Railroad Map of West Virginia - 1873
Description
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was built to a location near the headwaters of the Monongahela River in 1852. The important trans-Appalachian railway established a railroad facility center at that location near the river. Railroad buildings and shops were built and a town was laid out. John Grafton was the railroad���s surveyor and the town was named after him. Business and industry pertaining to the railroad were instrumental to the community���s success in this era.
During the American Civil War, Grafton���s railroad interests were of much dispute. The town was divided, with the Union supporters joining the Grafton Guards and southern supporters joining the Confederate Letcher���s Guard. On May 22, 1861 at the bridge at Fetterman, the two forces clashed, resulting in the first enlisted soldier death of the war. Ensuing skirmishes between the two forces resulted in the Union gaining control of the Grafton railroad terminal. Still the Confederates performed countless assaults upon the terminal during wartime.
Grafton���s railroad industry continued to grow after the war. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad had been extended from Grafton to Clarksburg in 1856. During the civil war, Clarksburg was a key supply depot for the Union army. Following the war Clarksburg grew as an industrial and manufacturing center fueled by the region���s valuable coal industry.
The 1858 completion of the Northwestern and Virginia Railroad led to the rise of Cairo. Cairo was incorporated along the banks of the North Fork of the Hughes River. At that time the community was a booming oil town prospering with the discovery of oil-rich fields throughout the area.
West Virginia ranked high in the production of quality oil and gas, and Ritchie County was one of the leading oil producing regions in the state. The beginnings of the area���s oil industry date back to the ���Wildcat Wells��� of the 1860's when a well near Cairo, ���Big Run���, showed great promise. After a devastating conflagration and decline at the nearby oil field, ���Volcano Fields���, the industry concentrated on Cairo. Much speculation and development occurred in Cairo at the time, as reports of abundant oil fields circulated.
These maps were published in 1873 by G.W. & C.B. Colton & Co. The main map shows central West Virginia and the general map shows the northeastern United States. Cities, towns, waterways, the West Virginia coal regions, and railroad network of 1873 are indicated.
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.
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