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: 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."

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.

Wyandotte County, Kansas
Date: 1878
This map from the Kansas State Board of Agriculture's First Biennial Report, shows the townships and towns in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Some points of interest include: a cheese factory, a flour mill, saw mill and railroads. The map also includes a short note about Moses Grinter who owned and operated a trading post, a ferry, and farm. The Grinter family home is preserved as the Grinter Place Historic Site by the Kansas State Historical Society.