Map of Wisconsin Showing the Location of Railroads finished, and projected, with a Table of distances from New London

“NEW LONDON commands enough to meet the highest anticipations of the SETTLER.” – text, verso.

This rare and ephemeral map of Wisconsin and Michigan was issued near the end of the Civil War to emphasize the prime location of New London. The community in central Wisconsin was first settled as a trading post on the Wolf River in 1848 and quickly grew into a small village, thanks in large part to the local lumber industry and steamboat traffic along the river. The railroad would be another catalyst for growth, but it would need both passenger and freight traffic to justify the cost of extending the line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway from Appleton – about 18 miles distant.

That was the purpose for this circular, which features promotional text on the verso encouraging the intrepid settler to consider New London for his permanent home. The central geographic position, abundant local resources, robust transportation network, and available amenities are described in floral language deliberately written to appeal to ambitious emigrants. A notable excerpt describes the last – “The Church and School edifices and Sabbath attendance, make a change from savage to civil life at this spot.”

The notice concludes with a list of notable supporters, including William B. Ogden, Collector of Revenue Hiram Barney, and Governor of Wisconsin Louis P. Harvey. The last died in 1862, helping to date the map to around that time. However, a hastily written letter on the verso is dated three years later – May 9th, 1865. It’s addressed to a Miss Jackson in New London and inquires about the availability of a certain tract of land.

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