Wyoming

Wyoming’s railroads at the dawn of the 20th century.

This interesting map of Wyoming was published in Chicago by Rand McNally in 1901. A finely detailed image labels a fascinating variety of locations; including settlements, geographic features, Native American reservations, natural resources, military outposts, and more. Topography is depicted in hachure, emphasizing the rugged terrain across the state, especially in Yellowstone National Park in the northwest. Numerous mountain ranges, peaks, and buttes are named.

A handful of dark black lines can be seen snaking throughout the image – the state’s meager railroad network. Red overprinting identifies the seven companies in operation, ranging from the mighty Union Pacific (and a few subsidiaries) to the diminutive Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad (recently acquired by Chicago & Northwestern).

Such was the rate of consolidation among different companies that this second printing method was used to cut costs when updates were inevitably required. Twenty-two different lines are numbered and identified according to the legend in the upper left. Several, such as the Natchez Pass and Western American Coal railroads, were short-lived.