Western States & Territories

Interesting snapshot in the development of the Midwest.

The title of this map implies the changing geographic goalposts as the United States grew ever westward during the 19th century. In the early decades, the former lands of the Northwest Territory were considered the frontier, but a wave of new states starting with Ohio in 1803 would push the edge of civilization even further.

This map shows the process of settlement as of about 1830. Missouri is a fully formed state, though no sign of Iowa can be found in the remnants of its unorganized lands. The Michigan Territory includes much of modern-day Wisconsin and Minnesota, plus land in northern Ohio that would eventually be transferred as a result of the Toledo War.

The map was engraved by James Hamilton Young and published in Philadelphia in 1829 as part of John Grigg’s American school atlas.