Maps of United States History and the French and Indian War

Maps of United States history created in company with the wars fought during its early years are the foundation many modern American maps evolved from. Surely today’s technology places almost any knowledge within reach, but 200 years ago, before basic electronic surveying equipment, familiarity with one’s surroundings came only by placing one foot in front of the other.

The French and Indian War in particular, which was fought primarily in the wilderness of a new continent, contributed a great deal to the maps we depend upon today. Maps were a necessity at all stages of war. As boundaries and loyalties shifted, far away rulers dispatched the very best map makers to document their holdings, both for vanity and security.

Some of the first maps of United States territory were created in and around the time of the French and Indian War in the 1750’s, among them Joshua Fry’s and Peter Jefferson’s A map of the inhabited part of Virginia containing the whole Province of Maryland, Part of Pensilvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina; Lewis Evans’ A General Map of the Middle British Colonies; and John Mitchell’s A Map of the British and French Dominions in North America. Early
surveyors in Great Britain and France were a commodity throughout this conflict because of the demand for intelligence of the British colonies in North America.

When the war ended, Great Britain commissioned surveyors to chart the course of the Mississippi River, and the entire eastern coast of America. Without this war and the responsibility it placed on pioneering professionals to make maps of United States, the knowledge we possess today would have been acquired in a very different way and at a much later date.

Panoramic Maps of United States' Cities

More of an artful expression than for scholarly or scientific use, panoramic maps of United States cities allow the viewer to truly place themselves in history and walk the city streets in their mind. The panoramic map, also known as bird’s eye or aero views, originated in Europe and was used widely in the United States in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Basically, they are a not-to-scale drawing of city at an oblique angle. They lend a perspective that traditional maps cannot duplicate. The artistry and detail dedicated to landmarks and commerce make the maps amusing and human.

The Library of Congress is the best place to start learning about panoramic maps. Henry Wellge, Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler, Oakley H. Bailey, Albert Ruger, and Lucien R. Burleigh, some of the most well-known American panoramic artists, created more than half of the 1,500 maps exhibited there. They also have Camille N. Dry’s Pictorial St. Louis; The Great Metropolis of the Mississippi Valley, which she created in 1875. It is the largest panoramic map ever published at 9 by 24 feet.

As America healed from the Civil War and headed into the Victorian Era, new industry made cities flourish. Chambers of commerce in growing cities were the major market for the maps where they became real estate and early economic development marketing tools. But, plenty of private citizens had them hanging over their mantles, as well. For a price, most panoramic map artists would include private homes in their cityscapes.

If you’re looking for a piece of regional nostalgia some panoramic maps of United States of your hometown or dream destination will most certainly foot the bill.

Maps of United States Heritage: The Rochambeau Collection

The Rochambeau Maps, housed in the Library of Congress, make up one of the most important collections of maps of United States heritage. The Rochambeau Collection's 26 printed maps, 40 manuscript maps, and manuscript atlas are all contributions from the French Brigadier General’s personal collection. They cover the northeastern United States before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. The record of military movements and general physical detail within these documents makes this unique set a national treasure and genuine gift.

Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, who already had a celebrated reputation, arrived in America in 1780 to aid the continental army under George Washington. His adept military skills are quite possibly a major reason the continental forces won the Revolutionary War, sealing America’s independence from England. Despite his own rank and distinguished military record, he had immense respect for Washington as a leader, submitting himself and his own force of 5,000 men completely to Washington’s authority. Several of the maps are dated into the 1790’s, this is because even after the war was over, Rochambeau continued to show great interest in the new American nation.

The maps themselves are immaculately detailed and encompass cities, harbors, and countryside in America and Canada. Larger, more comprehensive maps of the original thirteen colonies, as well as the territory of present-day Mississippi, Kentucky, and Louisiana are also a part of the collection.

Rochambeau’s documents truly allow the observer to see our nation through the eyes of a respectful supporter and historical benefactor. A brief reliving of America’s birth through maps of United States with him as your guide will not be a wasted trip.