Produced by prolific American draftsman Charles Roeser this depiction of the Montana Territory in 1879 show the region in a period of transition from the so-called Wild West as mining and ranching became dominant industries. The first permanent settlement in Montana was not established until 1847, with the fur trading post Fort Benton. The US Army took over the fort in 1869, only a decade prior to the publication of this map. Montana's vast wilderness and rugged terrain slowed settlement, and the territory would not become a state until 1889.
The decade leading up to Montana's inclusion into the United States marked a period of rapid population growth as railroad systems' expansion continued through the American West. The Northern Pacific Railroad company established Livingston as a rail hub and the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, which had been established in 1872. The park has long fascinated tourists with its rich flora and fauna and unique geothermal features, including the famous Old Faithful geyser. Rail expansion also increased tourism to the park in the late nineteenth century, with the number for tourists rising from around three hundred annually to over five thousand in just a year since the establishment of the rail lines in Livingston.
Many mining camps became towns throughout the late nineteenth century, as prospectors flocked to the region, searching for copper, gold, and silver. This map illustrates Montana in a period of transition into the modern era and is a rare piece of cartographical history.
Our museum quality giclee print comes printed with archival ink on premium heavyweight matte paper. Shipped in a sturdy cardboard tube your print will arrive ready to be framed. This eye-catching vintage map reproduction print makes the perfect gift for anyone that loves history and imagery.
