Antique Louisiana Map The Pelican State, Railroads & Counties, 1888

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Louisiana Map 1888 – Rand McNally Antique Lithograph This antique 1888 map of Louisiana, published by Rand, McNally & Co., … Read more Louisiana Map 1888 – Rand McNally Antique Lithograph This antique 1888 map of Louisiana, published by Rand, McNally & Co., provides a richly detailed picture of the state in the late 19th century. The map captures Louisiana during a period of recovery and modernization after the Civil War, when agriculture, commerce along the Mississippi River, and expanding railroads defined its economy and society. All parishes are clearly engraved, with parish seats and smaller towns labeled throughout. The map emphasizes the state’s unique geography, including the Mississippi River and its delta, the Atchafalaya Basin, and the intricate network of bayous, lakes, and wetlands that define southern Louisiana. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport stand out as major centers of trade and industry, while numerous smaller communities appear across the fertile parishes of the river corridor and Gulf Coast. Railroads are prominently shown in red and blue, reflecting their growing importance in connecting Louisiana’s agricultural interior with national markets. Lines such as the Texas & Pacific, New Orleans Pacific, and Louisville & Nashville appear, illustrating how railroads supplemented the traditional river trade while also reshaping settlement patterns. The port of New Orleans remains central, serving as a major gateway for cotton, sugar, and lumber exports through the Gulf of Mexico. The map also depicts Louisiana’s borders with Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas, situating the state as a crossroads of the Gulf South. Natural features such as the Red River, Lake Pontchartrain, and the coastal marshlands are carefully engraved, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of the landscape. As with all Rand, McNally maps of this era, the engraving is precise and practical, designed for both reference and historical record. Today, the map serves as a valuable artifact for understanding Louisiana’s development at a pivotal time in its history. Condition: Very good, with light toning and foxing in margins. Plate mark visible. Central fold as issued. Paper strong with no tears or losses. Framing tips: A walnut or black frame with a cream mat will highlight the coastal details and parish divisions. A subtle blue or grey secondary mat could enhance the Gulf of Mexico and waterways. Technique: Lithograph with printed detail Maker: Rand, McNally & Co., Chicago, 1888 Special note: Maps of Louisiana from the late 19th century are particularly desirable among collectors, as they capture the state’s distinctive geography, the importance of the Mississippi River trade, and the emergence of the railroad network that shaped its modern economy. See less