Louisiana and part of Arkansas

Bradford’s fascinating map of Louisiana and southern Arkansas.

This wonderfully detailed map of Louisiana and portions of Arkansas was published in 1835 by T.G. Bradford. Large county and parish configurations reflect the sparse settlement patterns and ‘frontier’ composition of much of the depicted territory, with towns concentrated heavily along the Mississippi and Red Rivers.

Small, but interesting, details such as the location of a Delaware village or the Masserne (Ozark) Mountains reflect broader trends of exploration and expansion in the early decades of the 19th century.

Numerous canals and the presence of the region’s first railroads, the Woodville (West Felicina) and Pontchartrain Rail-Roads are also notable. At the time of publication, the rail cars of the former company were still drawn with animal power – the first steam locomotive wouldn’t be introduced on the route until 1836.