Historico-Geographical Chart of the Upper Mississippi River Compiled and Drawn to Accompany Pike's Expeditions. Under the Direction of Dr. Elliott Coues.

By: Daniel W. Cronin

Date: 1895 (copyrighted) New York

Dimensions: 23.5 x 15.5 inches (59.7 x 39.44 cm)  to neatlines

This splendid highly detailed map charts the course of the upper Mississippi River from Minneapolis to its source. showing counties. military posts. towns. township grids. and tributaries noted in Zebulon Pike's expedition.

The maps contains countless fascinating historical notations detailing the history of the exploration of the territory from the earliest expeditions to later ones. The entire portion of the great river system is labeled in great detail. filled with notes from the expedition that reference camp locations. changes in the river and observations of the banks and surrounding areas. Many discoveries from other expeditions are also noted and dated throughout the map.

Zebulon Pike was an American brigadier general and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado was named. As a U.S. Army officer he led two expeditions under authority of President Thomas Jefferson through the new Louisiana Purchase territory. the of which was in 1805–1806 to reconnoiter the upper northern reaches of the Mississippi River. which this map details. According to ZebulonpIke.org his 1805-06 expedition is recognized for the following accomplishments.

• Traveled more than 2000 miles in. what would become. 5 of today's states along the Mississippi
• Surveyed land for future American forts
• Remained 85 days at their stockade on today's Zebulon Pike Lake
• Purchased land which is now Minneapolis/St. Paul
• Created a temporary peace among native Americans on the Mississippi including the Sioux
• Challenged the British in many areas now that they were on American soil
• Found the then headwaters of the Mississippi River

An inset is labeled The Infant Mississippi or Cradled Hercules and is probably taken from the work of the great French explorer Jean-Nicolas Nicollet. whose maps were even more accurate than those of Pike. Nicollet was a geographer. astronomer. and mathematician known for mapping the Upper Mississippi River basin during the 1830s. Nicollet led three expeditions in the region between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. primarily in Minnesota. South Dakota. and North Dakota.

Condition: This map. published folding. is now linen backed and in A condition with one small faded area of text at a fold line and some very minor soiling at a few fold lines.

Inventory #11639

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