Kansas

Kansas railroads in the late 19th century.

This vibrant map of Kansas was published in Chicago by George Cram in 1898. Like many standard atlas maps of the period, it presents a straightforward overview of county configuration, settlements of various sizes, standard geographic features, and statewide transportation networks.

It is in the last category that the image becomes particularly informative. The routes of twenty-four different railway operators are shown crisscrossing the image, each represented with a different color or style line explained according to the legend in the upper left.

This complex system of rails reflected a wealth of different scopes and interests, ranging from the mighty Union Pacific to the Manhattan, Alma, & Burlingame, organized by 13 residents of Waubaunsee County. Though several of the routes are shared between companies and many are subsidiaries of larger corporations, the interconnected system highlights the importance of railroads to the state’s economy.

Source: Waubaunsee County Museum.