County Map of Utah and Nevada

Detailed snapshot of Utah and Nevada in the early 1870s.

This beautiful map of Nevada and the Utah Territory was engraved by W.H. Gamble and published by Samuel Augustus Mitchell in 1872. 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 southwestern region in the midst of the Reconstruction Era. Large county configurations are expressed with attractive original color, applied by hand at the time of printing. Finely engraved toponyms label a fascinating variety of settlements, Native American tribes, land districts, and geographic features. Topography is shown in hachure and numerous mountain peaks and ranges are named. A robust transportation network of railroads and wagon roads is depicted, as well as a few notable explorers’ routes.