Map of Missouri and Kansas with Railroads and Frontier Trails, 1864

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Antique 1864 Map of Missouri and Kansas by Johnson and Ward : This finely detailed and vibrantly hand-colored map of … Read more Antique 1864 Map of Missouri and Kansas by Johnson and Ward : This finely detailed and vibrantly hand-colored map of Missouri and Kansas, published in 1864 by Johnson and Ward, offers a remarkable glimpse into the American Midwest during the final years of the Civil War. It was issued as part of Johnson’s celebrated family atlases, which were among the most widely circulated cartographic works in the United States during the 1860s. The map prominently delineates county boundaries in shades of pink and green, with railroads, roads, cities, rivers, and geographical features carefully labeled. The map’s style is typical of Johnson’s signature design, featuring a decorative scrollwork border and inset engravings. In the margins, three detailed vignettes add a narrative and visual dimension: - Santa Fe from the Great Missouri Trail (lower left), depicting westward migration via wagon train - Indians on the move (top left) - Entrance to a Missouri Cave (top right), reflecting the region’s geological curiosities The inclusion of Kansas at such an early stage of statehood—Kansas joined the Union in 1861—makes this map especially interesting. It shows a grid of developing counties and frontier towns, just a few years after the turbulent "Bleeding Kansas" period, which had pitted pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions against each other in the lead-up to the Civil War. This map captures a moment of dynamic transformation: Kansas shifting from wild frontier to formalized state, and Missouri acting as a border state in a divided nation. It holds strong appeal for collectors of American Civil War ephemera, Western expansion history, and antique maps of the U.S. interior. Condition report: Very good condition with vibrant original hand-coloring. Some age toning to margins and minor edge wear. Vertical centerfold as issued. Framing suggestion: An antique-style wooden frame—preferably walnut or cherry—with an archival mat in cream or beige will complement the map’s color palette and age. UV-protective glass is recommended to safeguard the delicate hand coloring. Keyword: Johnson map, Civil War map, Missouri map 1864, Kansas map 1864, American Westward Expansion, 19th-century atlas, Johnson and Ward, antique American map, railroad history, Missouri River, Santa Fe Trail, decorative border map, historical geography, cartographic Americana See less