Asher & Adams’ Dakota

The Dakotas over 15 years prior to statehood.

The process of westward expansion during the 19th century is vibrantly illustrated on this map of the Dakota Territory, published in 1873 by Asher & Adams.

Surveyed townships and outlined counties occupy only a small portion of the vast landscape, and even then they generally follow railroads and navigable rivers – both primary avenues for settlement. Railroad lines are shown as both completed and proposed, with the latter category including the Northern Pacific extending as far as Bismarck.

Other interesting details include Native American villages and reservations, frontier fortifications, prominent landmarks, geographic features, and topography shown in hachure.