Antique
Maps and Prints of the Historic
Indian Territory (Now Oklahoma).
|
|
EMAIL
ENQUIRIES
CLICK THE BOX BELOW TO CHECK MY ON-LINE INVENTORY |
This short
REFERENCE PAGE is designed to provide no more than a 'glimpse' of
the history of Connecticut,
with a couple of examples of antiquarian maps and engravings of
the State and some interesting Links.
This Page is provided as a REFERENCE
RESOURCE - it is NOT an Inventory.
Genuine original antiquarian maps and
authentic historical engravings, printed at the dates stated.
We do NOT deal in modern reproductions.
We supply genuine
historical maps and prints by mail order - all are eminently suitable for framing and
are offered On Approval, which
GUARANTEES
YOUR ENTIRE SATISFACTION!
Look us over, but don't
overlook us !
INDIAN TERRITORY - OKLAHOMA
The article below was written in 1885 and makes interesting reading.
Topography: The Indian Territory has an extreme length east and west of 470 miles, and south of latitude 36º 30' about 310 miles; extreme breadth, 210 miles; area, 64,690 square miles, or 41,301,600 acres.
A strip of land between the 100th arid 103rd meridians, about thirty-five miles in width, was ceded to the United States by Texas, and is regarded as a portion of the Territory, although not properly belonging to it.
It consists of a vast plain with a gradual slope towards the east, and the only considerable elevations are the Wichita mountains in the southwest, and some spurs of the Ozark and Washita ranges in the east.
The river valleys of the east are bordered by abrupt bluffs separating them from the rolling prairies of the uplands. Except in the west, which is an arid plain, rivers are plentiful. The Arkansas enters the Territory from the north, intersects it in a southeasterly direction, and passes into Arkansas, being navigable at certain seasons to Fort Gibson. It receives the Verdigris, Neosho, Illinois and other streams from the north, and the Canadian, Cimarron, Black Bear, Little Arkansas, Poteau and North Fork from the west.
The Canadian rises in New Mexico, and the Cimarron in Kansas. The Red river washes the southern border and receives the Washita, a Texan stream, and numerous smaller tributaries. It is navigable for small steamers during the greater part of the year. South of the Canadian river, there is much fertile prairie land, interspersed with timber, and the valleys of the Wichita range abound with wood, water and grass.
The northeast is well wooded, but much of it is rocky, although there is some good arable and pasture land. The soil of the river valleys is rich, and corn, cotton, upland rice, wheat, rye and potatoes grow luxuriantly.
The principal trees are the ash, oak, elm, sycamore, walnut and cottonwood, and all kinds of fruit trees flourish. Deposits of semi-bituminous coal have been found, but their extent is not known, the geology of the country not having been thoroughly examined.
Many fur bearing animals exist, and are trapped by the Indians. Of the 41,000,000 acres in the Territory, nearly 26,000,000 have been surveyed and set apart as reservations for the Indians. These have been gathered from all parts of the country - from Oregon to Florida -in pursuance of the general plan of congregating all the Indians in one territory, to be theirs forever.
Of the more important tribes, the Creeks and Cherokees were originally from Georgia, their removal being completed in 1838. The Choctaws and Chickasaws occupied the territory on the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi to the Atlantic. The Natchez, Arkansas and others were from the same neighborhood.
he Pottawatomies, Sacs, Foxes and Illinois at one time held possession of vast territories in Illinois, Wisconsin and the Northwest; the Miamis were removed from Ohio, the Jowas from the State which now bears their name, and the Seminoles from Florida.
The Arrapahoes and Cheyennes belonged in Montana and Wyoming, and the Modocs in Oregon, whence they were removed after the " Lava-bed war." Many of the tribes which originally inhabited the eastern country were driven gradually back before the whites, and thus some of the Indians actually traversed half the continent before their final removal to their present location.
Climate: The mean annual temperature is about 54º Fahrenheit in the northwest, and 60º in the southeast; the summers are long and hot, and the winters usually mild.
In the desert country of the extreme northwest not more than twenty inches of rain fall during the year, in the central portion thirty-five inches, and in the southeast fifty to fifty-two inches.
History: The unorganized territory of the United States which extends from latitude 33º 35' to 37º north, and longitude 94º 20' to 103º west, forms the Indian Territory. It was a part of the great Louisiana purchase, and has been from time to time cut down to form States and Territories until reduced to its present dimensions.
Efforts have been made at various times to secure the formation of a Territorial government and the establishment of local courts, and it has also been proposed to give each of the five civilized nations a Delegate in Congress.
Another plan is, that the lands now held in common by the Indians shall be divided among them to hold in fee, the Indians to be unable to alienate them, however, for a certain number of years.
Attempts were made in 1880 by bands of whites to enter the Indian Territory for the purpose of taking possession of the rich lands there, and a large force of United States troops had to be called out to prevent the execution of these designs.
VIEW OF NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN CAMP
Published in the Illustrated London News in 1890.
ANTIQUARIAN MAP OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY
Published by Rand, McNally - 1885
INTERESTING LINKS
OTHER POSTAPRINT US STATES FEATURE PAGES
Contributions and suggestions for additional links would be most welcome.
Before I retired,
Postaprint supplied picture framers and antiquarian map & print dealers
for over 25 years. The inventory
encompassed examples of the
cartographer's art from the 16th to the 19th century, along with
topographical engravings, lithographs and etchings by
leading artists of their generation. You can Search
my wife's eBay Store Database for historic maps,
views, and engravings on virtually every subject,
including Vanity Fair (Spy) Cartoons. All our offers are genuine
old and historical items on a wide range of subjects.
All are
suitable for framing by Art Galleries, Shops and Fine Art Retailers.
Do visit my wife's eBay Store
JULIE'S ANTIQUE PRINTS
You will find a nice range of antique
prints, engravings, maps and books.
Specialist mail order suppliers of collectible historical antique maps and engravings.