Antique Maps and Prints of Historic Iowa.
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This short
REFERENCE PAGE is designed to provide no more than a 'glimpse' of
the history of the State,
with a couple of examples of antiquarian maps and engravings 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 !
STATE OF IOWA
The article below was written in 1885 and makes interesting reading.
Topography: Nearly the whole State consists of gently undulating prairie, and is destitute of mountains or even hills of any size. There are some bluffs on the river margins, and in the northeastern part the surface is more elevated and the scenery more diversified.
The country is well watered, and extremely beautiful, abounding with natural meadows and verdant plains. The streams, without exception, flow into one or the other of the great boundary rivers, and give unrivaled natural drainage for the whole State.
In the northern portion there are numerous small, beautiful lakes, which are a part of the system extending northward into Minnesota. Its general extent north and south is 208 miles; and east and west about 300 miles; and its area is 56,025 square miles, or 35,856,000 acres, being almost exactly the same as that of Illinois.
The highest point in the State is at Spirit Lake, in the northwest part, which is 1,650 feet above the sea level, and there is a gradual slope thence to the southeast, until at the mouth of the Des Moines river the elevation is only 444 feet.
Climate: It is a healthy region, malarial, epidemic and endemic diseases being rare.
The winters are severe, owing to the prevalence of north and northwest winds, which sweep at will over the prairies, but they are not unhealthy. In summer the constant breezes relieve the heat of the season.
The mean annual temperature is about 48º Fahrenheit; that of summer, 70½º; and of winter, 23½º; and the temperature is seldom lower than10º or higher than 90º.
The mean annual rainfall for thirty years was 44.27 inches; the least 23.35 inches, and the greatest 74.49 inches. Taking the whole year, the climate is moderate and favorable for agriculture; fruit trees blossom early in May and wheat ripens in August.
History: Iowa, the sixteenth State admitted into the Union under the Federal constitution, dates its existence as a State from December 28, 1846 - only one generation ago.
Its name, which is also that of a river within its confines, is said to mean, in the language of the aborigines, "The Beautiful Land." The territory now embraced by Iowa originally formed a part of the vast Louisiana possessions of the French, which were ceded to the United States in 1803, during the administration of President Jefferson.
The first white settlement was made in 1778, by a French Canadian named Julian Dubuque, who, attracted by the extensive lead deposits, obtained a large grant of land, including the tract upon which the city named after him now stands.
This pioneer built a small fort, and engaged in lead mining in a primitive fashion, and in traffic with the Indians, until his death in1810. Up to 1883 the increase of population was but slow, and it was not until that year that a number of companies or colonies from Illinois and other States settled near Burlington and at various points along the Mississippi.
From 1834 to 1836 the territory was under the jurisdiction of Michigan; in the latter year it was transferred to Wisconsin, and on July 4, 1838, the new government of the Territory of Iowa was formally installed at Burlington.
Under its territorial organization Iowa included all the country north of Missouri to the British Possessions, lying between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, thus taking in the greater part of what is now Minnesota and the whole of Dakota Territory. The total area of the Territory was 194,536 square miles, and its population 22,859 souls.
In 1839 the seat of government was removed to Iowa City, and in 1844 petition was made for admission to the Union. By an act of March 3, 1845, Congress defined the boundaries which would he acceptable, and which were agreed to by a convention held the following year.
The original State constitution was modified in 1857 by a constitutional convention, held in Iowa City, and the existing constitution was ratified its that year by a popular vote of 40,311 to 38,681.
From the date of admission to the Union, the Increase in population, wealth and prosperity has been wonderful. Iowa furnished 76,242 men for the Union armies during the Civil war.
The State raised for general service thirty-nine regiments of infantry (three years), one regiment of three-months men, and four of hundred-day men.
Population: Census of 1880: Males. 848,136; Females, 776,479; Native, 1,362,965; Foreign, 261,650; White, 1,614,600; Colored, 10,015, including 33 Chinese, and 466 Indians and Half-breeds.
VIEW OF JEFFERSON CITY
Published in the Illustrated London News in 1869.
ANTIQUARIAN MAP OF IOWA
Published by Encyclopaedia Britannica - 1880
INTERESTING LINKS
OTHER POSTAPRINT US STATES FEATURE PAGES
Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan
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.