Page’s Map of Kansas 1886

Attractive hand colored map of Kansas from the late 19th century.

People from all across the country, and even the world, flocked to Kansas in the years and decades following the Civil War. According to the state historical society, “after the Civil War and before 1890 the population of Kansas increased by the greatest amount in its history.”

The Homestead Act provided for cheap, arable land available to anyone who could get there; including freed slaves and European immigrants by the thousands. This map, published by H.R. Page & Co. in 1886, shows the result of such impressive population growth.

Notably, the corresponding growth of the railroad is evident, with lines connecting much of the state; especially in the east. This ready access greatly benefited local farmers and was also a draw for cowboys from Texas, who would drive huge herds of cattle for shipping to markets back east.

Apart from the railroads, transportation systems were rudimentary at best, and the scattered isolated towns would have been reachable only by water, horse, or foot.

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