A new map of the United States of America
Creator: Thomas, Cowperthwait & C
Date: 1850
This map by surveyor J. H. Young depicts the United States of America and its territories. In the lower portion of the map information is provided about the proposed routes for the Great Pacific Railroad. Sections of the map have been enlarged to depict the Gold Region of California and the District of Columbia.

John James Ingalls to Elias T. Ingalls
Creator: Ingalls, John James, 1833-1900
Date: October 5, 1858
In this first, rather lengthy letter from Sumner, K.T., Ingalls recorded his "impressions" of St. Louis, Missouri, and detailed the combination rail and steamboat trip across Missouri to Kansas Territory. St. Louis had "a hasty, unfinished appearance," from Ingalls's perspective, and "So much filth and poverty. . . ." He was delighted to leave that city and soon rode the "Pacific Railroad" as far as Herman, Missouri, where he boarded the steamer "Duncan S. Carter," which is described in some detail, along with the trip up river. Ingalls arrived at his Kansas destination on Monday, October 4, 1858.

John James Ingalls to Elias T. Ingalls
Creator: Ingalls, John James, 1833-1900
Date: January 19, 1861
In Lawrence on January 19, 1861, attending the meeting of what proved to be the last territorial legislature, Ingalls wrote about everyone's interest in happenings outside the territory: namely, congressional action on the "Kansas Admission Bill" and the "Pacific Rail Road Bill," as well as "the condition of affairs of the South ['the secession movement']. Especially bad weather--"the snow is quite deep and the temperature below zero constantly"--had left Kansas somewhat isolated, and as they waited for news the legislature was "not doing much except discussing Union resolutions, endorsing Major [Robert] Anderson [commander of U.S. troops at Fort Sumter], and divorcing Every body that applies for rupture of the bonds of matrimony."

Laying the tracks of the Pacific Railroad
Creator: Lumley, Arthur, 1837-1912
Date: 1869
This is an illustration showing workers laying track on the Pacific Railroad. It was copied from Our New West by Samuel Bowles.

Map of Kansas, 1869
Creator: Rufus Blanchard
Date: 1869
This map illustrates the county lines, county seats, and state lines of Kansas. The railroads in operation are the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston and Pacific Railroad. A central branch of the Union Pacific Railroad is proposed for the future.

Map of Kanzas and Nebraska from the original surveys
Creator: Phillips, Sampson & Co.
Date: 1854
Map of Kanzas Territory and Nebraska Territory drawn and engraved for Salma Hale's History of the United States of America. Landmarks include the Spanish Peaks, Pike's Peak, Col. Fremont's expedition route, Bent's Fort, Chimey Rock, and the Pacific Railroad. This map is provided through a co-operative project between the Lecompton Historical Society and the Kansas Historical Society. Partial funding was provided by the Ross and Margaret Wulfkuhle Charitable Trust and the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area.

Township Map of Kansas
Creator: Mendenhall, E.
Date: 1856
This sectional map of the Kansas Territory is compiled from field notes in the U.S. Surveyor General's office in observance by Geo N. Propper. County boundaries, Indian boundaries, rail roads, emigrant routes and common roads are identified.