Antique Map Western Texas Railroads, Counties & Frontier Towns, 1888

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Western Texas Map 1888 – Rand McNally Antique Lithograph This antique 1888 map of Western Texas, published by Rand, McNally … Read more Western Texas Map 1888 – Rand McNally Antique Lithograph This antique 1888 map of Western Texas, published by Rand, McNally & Co., depicts the vast frontier counties of the region at a time when much of this land was still sparsely settled. Unlike the more densely populated eastern portion of Texas, western Texas remained rugged, with dramatic landscapes, military outposts, and scattered ranching communities marking the edge of American expansion. The map covers the area from Tom Green, Crockett, and Howard Counties westward through Pecos, Reeves, Jeff Davis, Presidio, and Brewster Counties, reaching the Rio Grande along the Mexican border. Neighboring Mexico is clearly marked, as are key border towns such as Presidio del Norte and Ciudad Juárez (then Paso del Norte). An inset at the upper left provides further detail of northwestern New Mexico, highlighting rail connections extending toward Santa Fe. Topography is given special attention, with the Davis Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains, and numerous buttes, mesas, and canyons engraved in fine detail. Rivers such as the Pecos and Rio Grande are prominently featured, winding through otherwise arid country. The map also shows forts and military posts—including Fort Stockton, Fort Davis, and Fort Bliss—underscoring the continued U.S. Army presence in maintaining order and protecting settlers during this period. Railroads are drawn in red and blue lines, showing the advance of rail infrastructure into the region. The Southern Pacific line through El Paso, extending eastward toward San Antonio, is a notable feature, connecting this frontier with the national railroad network and providing vital links for trade, cattle, and migration. This map is historically important for its portrayal of Texas’s western counties at a time before they were heavily developed. Vast tracts of land are labeled simply with county names, emphasizing the scale and emptiness of the frontier. Today, many of these areas have become part of Texas’s cultural and economic identity, known for oil, ranching, and desert landscapes. For collectors of Texas history, western expansion, or frontier cartography, this map offers an invaluable glimpse into a region still in transition from frontier to settled state. Condition: Good, with light toning and foxing in the margins and folding line. Plate mark visible. Minor age-related edge wear, but paper remains strong and clean with no tears. Framing tips: A strong walnut or black frame with a cream mat is recommended to emphasize the rugged detail of the engraving. A secondary mat in earthy tones (tan or rust red) would further complement the western subject matter. Technique: Lithograph with printed detail Maker: Rand, McNally & Co., Chicago, 1888 See less