Rancho Red’s Adventure Map of the Old West

The romanticism of the American West distilled into one image.

The impact of the Wild West on the country’s cultural identity is hard to overstate, but this map does an excellent job of exploring the complex mythology behind the influential period of American history. The image is self-described as “an authentic pictorial map illustrating the most important historical events in the development of the West from 1800 – 1900.”

State borders are completely omitted, and the land is punctuated only by the historical trails which brought explorers and settlers overland during the 19th century. Numerous vignettes highlight important individuals, battles, or events – all landmarks in the history of the American West. Though the influence of overlooked people like Native Americans and Chinese are recognized through their inclusion, the depiction retains a tinge of racial superiority.

Images of iconic American ‘tools’ used to conquer the Wild West are shown across the top and bottom of the sheet. These include the Bowie Knife, prospecting tools, the Colt revolver, and stirrups. The map was drawn by Parker Edwards and published by Sunnyvale Packing Company in 1951.