1856 Minnesota Map by Colton - Vintage Map Print

This exceptional 1856 map of Minnesota by G.W. Colton represents a fascinating piece of American cartographic history. Published by J.H. Colton & Co. in New York, this map captures Minnesota during a pivotal period of westward expansion, extending from Lake Superior to the Missouri River and covering areas of present-day Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

**Historical Significance:**
Created during the height of American territorial expansion, this map showcases Minnesota's geography as understood in the mid-19th century. A particularly notable feature is the proposed route of the Pacific Railroad, reflecting the era's ambitious infrastructure development plans that would connect the eastern United States with the expanding western territories.

**Cartographic Excellence:**
This map is part of Colton's Atlas of the World, renowned for being one of the finest and most accurate atlases of its period. The full-color presentation includes detailed topographical features, settlements, rivers, lakes, and territorial divisions. Minnesota's boundaries are highlighted in pink, with various regions distinguished by different colors for enhanced clarity.

**Technical Details:**
- **Scale:** 1:2,500,000
- **Dimensions:** 41 cm x 34 cm (original)
- **Publisher:** J.H. Colton & Co., New York
- **Reference:** P816, List No. 0149.054
- **Collection:** Rumsey Collection

**Decorative Features:**
The map exhibits Colton's characteristic decorative border, adding ornamental appeal to the functional cartographic presentation. Natural landmarks including Lake Superior and the Missouri River are prominently featured, serving as both geographic reference points and vital transportation routes of the era.

**Historical Context:**
This large one-volume 1856 edition is scarcer than the two-volume edition. Colton's atlas was initially published by subscription and represents the first world atlas produced by Colton after years of creating pocket maps, wall maps, and guides. The atlas had a remarkable publishing run of over thirty years, demonstrating its enduring value and accuracy.

**Perfect For:**
- History enthusiasts and collectors
- Educational institutions and libraries
- Interior designers seeking authentic vintage décor
- Minnesota residents celebrating their state's heritage
- Researchers studying 19th-century American expansion
- Collectors of Colton atlas maps

This museum-quality reproduction captures every detail of the original map, from the intricate geographical features to the period typography and decorative elements that make Colton's work so distinctive and historically significant.

Minnesota Emerging: Colton’s 1856 Map
In 1856, J.H. Colton & Co. published its atlas map of Minnesota, a vast territory stretching from Lake Superior to the Missouri River, including lands that today form parts of the Dakotas. Counties were outlined in color, rivers carved their courses across the page, and a bold dashed line traced the proposed route of the Pacific Railroad. On paper, it was a vision of promise. In reality, Minnesota was a frontier in flux—half wilderness, half settlement, and entirely caught up in the great experiment of America’s westward growth.
The United States was under President Franklin Pierce, and the nation’s attention was fixed on conflicts over slavery and expansion. Yet Minnesota’s story was shaped more by migration, land, and opportunity. Just eight years earlier it had become an official territory, and its population was swelling with settlers lured by fertile soil, abundant forests, and rivers that promised trade. St. Paul, barely more than a river town in 1849, had become the territorial capital and a lively center of commerce by 1856.
Life for new arrivals was demanding. Families traveled by steamboat up the Mississippi, then spread outward to carve homesteads from prairie and woodland. Winters were harsh, summers thick with mosquitoes, and isolation was a constant challenge. Yet the chance to own land and build a future proved irresistible. Immigrant communities, particularly Germans and Scandinavians, began planting roots that would shape Minnesota’s culture for generations.
Native peoples, including the Dakota and Ojibwe, still occupied large parts of the territory, though treaties and pressure from settlement steadily eroded their lands. By 1856, tensions simmered as settlers encroached farther west, setting the stage for conflicts that would erupt in the decade ahead.
Colton’s inclusion of a proposed Pacific Railroad route underscored Minnesota’s strategic importance. The dream of linking east to west by rail promised to make the territory not just a frontier but a bridge between regions. Meanwhile, sawmills turned pine forests into lumber, farmers planted wheat across the southern plains, and towns like Minneapolis, then a modest settlement near St. Anthony Falls, hinted at the industrial power to come.
Colton’s map presented Minnesota with clean lines and orderly counties, but the true story was one of rapid transformation. In 1856, Minnesota stood on the threshold of statehood, balancing old traditions with new ambitions, and carrying the hopes of thousands who believed they were building both homes and history on the northern frontier.

Archival-Grade Paper: Your map is printed on thick, acid‑free paper designed to resist yellowing and fading. The high‑resolution printing process captures every detail, ensuring a crisp, vibrant image that lasts for generations.
Hand‑Stretched Canvas: If you choose canvas, we use a premium cotton‑poly blend stretched over solid pine frames. Each canvas is carefully hand‑stretched for a tight, gallery‑quality finish that's ready to hang right out of the box.
Vivid, Fade‑Resistant Inks: We use professional‑grade inks that are UV‑resistant, so your print retains its rich colors even when displayed in bright rooms.
Expert Restoration: Every map is digitally restored by skilled artisans. We preserve the character of the original while enhancing clarity, so you see the map as it was meant to be seen.
Secure Packaging: Paper prints are rolled in heavy‑duty mailing tubes, and canvases are cushioned in reinforced boxes to ensure they arrive in pristine condition.
Choosing one of our prints means investing in craftsmanship. We combine historical authenticity with modern print technology and premium materials, giving you a work of art built to stand the test of time.