Dakota Territory Railroad Map, 1888

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Antique Map of Dakota Territory – Rand McNally Railroad Map, 1888 This detailed 1888 map of Dakota by Rand, McNally … Read more Antique Map of Dakota Territory – Rand McNally Railroad Map, 1888 This detailed 1888 map of Dakota by Rand, McNally & Co. captures the region in the final year before its division into the states of North Dakota and South Dakota in 1889. At the time, Dakota Territory was undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the expansion of railroads, settlement, and the ongoing reduction of Native American lands through government treaties and agreements. The map offers an extraordinary snapshot of this transitional moment in American history. The map highlights Dakota’s counties, many of which existed only briefly in name before being reorganized or absorbed after statehood. Examples include Wallace, Garfield, and Boreman counties, now lost to history. The depiction of railroads is especially striking, with red and blue lines marking major routes of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & North Western, the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba, and the Northern Pacific. These lines illustrate the importance of railroads in connecting the prairies with larger markets, fueling settlement, and reshaping the territory’s economy. Equally significant are the numerous Native American reservations and agencies that dominate the western and central parts of the territory. The Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations, Standing Rock, and Yankton Agencies are all clearly marked, as are Fort Bennett, Fort Randall, Fort Stevenson, and Fort Totten, reminders of the ongoing military presence in the region. The map also notes diminished reservations, such as Garfield County’s proposed reductions under the agreement of December 14, 1886. Together, these features underscore the contested nature of the land at this time, where Indigenous communities faced forced resettlement and encroachment from settlers. Geographical features are carefully engraved, including the Missouri River winding through the center of the territory, the Black Hills with Custer, Deadwood, and Rapid City, and smaller rivers and lakes such as Lake Traverse and Big Stone Lake. Towns like Sioux Falls, Fargo, Bismarck, Huron, Aberdeen, and Yankton appear alongside smaller frontier settlements and railway stations, charting the spread of population across the plains. This map is not only a fine example of Rand, McNally & Co.’s precision and cartographic style but also an invaluable historical artifact, illustrating Dakota at a moment of political, cultural, and economic transformation. For collectors of American frontier history, railroadiana, or maps of the Great Plains, it provides a rich and compelling piece of the past. Condition: Good, with some age toning, light foxing, and minor edge wear consistent with age. Plate mark faintly visible. No major tears or losses; paper remains strong. Framing tips: A dark wood frame with a cream or light tan mat would emphasize the historic character of the map. Alternatively, a black frame with a double mat (cream over dark brown) would provide contrast and highlight the railroad detail. See less