County Map of Ohio and Indiana

Ohioiana during the Reconstruction Era.

This finely engraved map of Ohio and Indiana was drawn by W.H. Gamble and published in Philadelphia by Samuel Augustus Mitchell in 1870. Mitchell was one of the most prominent American mapmakers of the 19th century, and initially got involved with cartography as a school teacher who was frustrated with the quality of available maps. He collaborated with skilled engravers and produced high-quality maps and atlases that contained the most up-to-date information available. Mitchell’s son (of the same name) would take over the business after his death in 1860 and continue the tremendous output.

His attention to detail is evident within the image, which provides an engaging snapshot of the Hoosier and Buckeye states about five years after the end of the Civil War. Attractive hand color outlines each state and highlights the counties therein. A robust network of railroads connects each corner of the region at Chicago, Evansville, Ashtabula, and Ironton; with other notable hubs at Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo. A handful of canals are also shown, but by this time rails were the preferred method of most personal and bulk commodity transportation.