Texas and Pacific Railway Company, A Geographically Correct Map of the State of Texas, 1876, Map #93397, Map Collection, Archives and Records Program, Texas General Land Office, Austin, TX.

A Geographically Correct Map of the State of Texas, 1876

This Texas and Pacific Railway Company (T&P) folding map, produced in 1876, highlights the existing T&P tracks in Texas as well as proposed routes and extensions into West Texas.

Click here to see the reverse side of the map.

The map also designates T&P links with other existing railroads in Texas. Also identified are the existing counties and towns of the period, as well as many of the rivers and creeks in the state.

Detail of Title Block.

The map also shows the “T&P Reserve,” the lands granted to T&P for laying track throughout Texas.

In the Reserve, the T&P kept the odd-numbered sections while the state dedicated the even-numbered sections to fund public education.

This was originally a pocket map, and it was meant to fold. This is the front cover, which is on the reverse (verso) side of the map. A chart appears in the upper-left providing distances from Fort Worth, Shreveport, and Texarkana to certain cities across the country. On the verso of the map is promotional language for passengers. In 1887, passengers were welcome to carry upwards of 200 pounds for free when traveling.

The map also bears a stamp from Henry H. Hannan, an emigration agent from Ohio.

The reverse side highlights the promotional aspect of the map, including a wealth of information on Texas, labeled “The Garden State of America,” with a special focus on the T&P’s home territory in northern Texas and timetables for the existing T&P lines.

This map is a good compliment to the Railroad Contracts and Scrip Certificates housed in the Archives of the Texas General Land Office.

A reproduction of this map can be purchased on the GLO website.