Antique maps and prints of historic Wisconsin.
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
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 WISCONSIN
The article below was written in 1885 and makes interesting reading.
Topography: The scenery of Wisconsin is more diversified than that of the States contiguous to it, although its general character is that of a large plain. The plain is from 600 to 1,500 feet above the level of the sea, the highest lands being those at the sources of the rivers tributary to Lake Superior, which, near the Montreal river, are 1,700 feet above the ocean.
The Mississippi, Fox and Wisconsin rivers have a considerable descent while passing through or along the boundary of the State, thus furnishing valuable water power for mechanical purposes.
In the southwest part of the State there are a number of elevations known as "mounds," ranging from 1,200 to 1,700 feet above the sea-level, and the cliffs on the east shores of Green Bay and lake Winnebago form a bold and commanding ridge, from which there is a gradual slope to Lake Michigan, 589 feet above the sea. Besides the great Lakes-Superior on the north, and Michigan on the east there are numerous bodies of water in the central end northern parts of the State. These lakes are from thirty miles in extent with high, picturesque banks, and as a rule, deep water.
From these many rivers take their rise, a number having beautiful cascades or rapids, and flowing through narrow, rocky gorges, or "dells," the scenery of which has become famous. Wisconsin has an endless variety of beautiful scenery. The four lakes which surround Madison; the Dells, near Kilbourn City; the weird beauty of Devil's Lake, which in the mystery of its origin rivals Lake Tahoe; and the calm peace which reigns at Geneva Lake all possess attractions for summer tourists.
The greatest length of Wisconsin north and south is 300 miles; greatest breadth east and west, 260 miles; area, 56,040 square miles, or 35,865,600 acres.
Climate: Although Wisconsin is far north, the cold of winter is tempered by the vicinity of Lake Michigan, and the excessive heat of the short summers is modified by the breezes from that body of water and from Lake Superior.
The mean annual temperature of the southern section is 46º Fahrenheit; that of winter, 20º; of spring and autumn, 47º; and of summer, 72º. The winters are uniform, with heavy snows in the north preceding the hard frosts, and in the south snow often falls to a depth of eighteen inches.
Spring is backward, summer short and hot, and the autumn mild and pleasant. The northern part of Lake Michigan is frozen over most winters, but the ice never extends so far south as Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee river is frozen up from the end of November to about the middle of March, or an average of 100 days. The prevailing winds in autumn and winter are from the west, in summer from the southwest, and in spring from the northeast, and the climate is healthful and invigorating.
The annual quantity of rain and melted snow averages about thirty-two inches.
History: Wisconsin came into the Union under an act of Congress of May 29, 1848, and was the seventeenth State admitted under the Federal constitution.
The first settlement was made by the French at Green Bay in 1669. In the year 1836 the Territory of Wisconsin was formed out of lands then embraced within the Territory of Michigan.
All the existing States of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and a great part of the Territory of Dakota, were included in Wisconsin Territory until 1838. The first Territorial government was organized at Mineral Point, in July, 1836, and the first Territorial legislature met at Belmont, in September of that year, when the population was less than 12,000.
In November, 1838, the legislature met at Madison, which had been selected as the seat of government, which it still is. The first attempt to procure admission to the Union was made in 1846, when congress passed and enabling act. In. 1848 a State constitution was adopted and it was admitted into the Union.
Amendments to the constitution have been adopted from time to time, but the original organic law is still in force.
The number of troops furnished to the Federal army during the Civil war was 91,327; there being fifty-three regiments of infantry, five of cavalry, thirteen batteries of light artillery and one regiment of heavy artillery.
Population: Census of 1880: Males, 680,069; Females, 635,428; Native, 910,072; Foreign, 405,425; White, 1,309,618; Colored, 5,879, including 16 Chinese, and 3,161 Indians and Half-breeds.
VIEW OF THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE
Published by Bryant - 1872/4
ANTIQUARIAN MAP OF WISCONSIN
Published by Encyclopaedia Britannica - 1880
INTERESTING LINKS
OTHER POSTAPRINT US STATES FEATURE PAGES
South Western Wisconsin Visitors/Recreational Resources
State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Contributions and suggestions for additional links would be most welcome.
After very many years in the Trade,
I am now
retired and the
Postaprint Website
as such is no longer available.
However this large collection of Reference Pages
is being
left on line, as we hope you will find them to informative and helpful. They
provide details of many of the maps, books and engravings we had the pleasure of dealing in over so
many years.
For a complete index of all
such Reference Pages PLEASE DO CLICK
HERE.
However,
my wife has a
store on eBay, with
many offers of delightful antiquarian maps & prints
& engravings.
SOME INTERESTING & UNUSUAL GIFT IDEAS FROM JULIE
DO VISIT MY EBAY SHOP
FOR UNUSUAL IDEAS FOR PRESENTS
Perhaps a map or print of somewhere important in
someone's life. For example, where
they were born, got married, went on honeymoon etc. I do have a wide selection
of topographical views and historical maps.
America's,
UK,
Europe,
Asia,
Africa,
Australia,
The World, Etc.
...Or do a search for their last name, you will be surprised
what you might discover!
Specialist mail order suppliers of collectible historical antique maps and engravings.