Standard maps will enter production right away, within the next business day. Larger orders may take more time.
All push pin board maps (framed or canvas wrap) include push pins, are easy to hang, and ship free in the continental US. We'll select the optimal shipping method for fast delivery.
For personalized maps we collaborate closely to guarantee satisfaction. Expect a proof to be sent to you. Your swift responses will facilitate the production and shipping process.
If there are any problems with your map we will take care of you. Returns for all maps are straightforward and hassle-free.
For personalized maps, engaging with the email proofs we send ensures that the final product meets your expectations precisely.
We have 30+ years of cartography experience, meticulously craft each order by hand to ensure excellence, and 100% guarantee your satisfaction. We produce maps that are built to last, with state of the art production and archival quality materials.
Customize with quotes, legends, or dedications using "Personalize Map" options to craft your masterpiece map. Or reach out to us if you don't see the option you want.
We collaborate with you from design to approval of your proof so that you are 100% happy before we print and ship.
Our excellent customer service is always open to you.
This map is a faithful reproduction of the original 1850 map restored to its former glory using the latest digital imaging technology.
Impressively produced with Archival Inks, Rich Color Depth, and clear and vivid labels. We use premium matte paper.
We prepare the map using Fine Art Giclee production techniques. We roll the map in a sturdy tube for shipping to provide a crease-less piece of art.
About the Map: Explore the geographic history of the state of California in this historic map. This map is part of our vintage USA State Map Collection showing the geography of the states in the 1850-1860s shortly after the purchase of the state from Mexico. This artistically restored map displays the geography of the state and physical features such as Tulare Lake which disappeared in the early 1920s. Explore the formation of cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and more.
Restoration: The map is a reproduction of the original map meticulously restored to its former glory using the latest digital imaging technology. Using this technology, we carefully restored the colors, torn edges, creases, smeared writings and more. We enhanced features while keeping the original character and design of the map.
Geographic Details: Explore the beautiful map of California and the many details of the early settlements includeing towns, roads, railroads, and waterways in the mid 1800s .
Shows historic cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento and and emerging towns throughout the state that later became major metoropolitan cities. Discover physical changes in the geography - such as former lakes, like Tulare Lake an the southern San Joaquin Valley and canals used for transportation and agriculture.
This map is unframed, sold as an art print. Frames are shown for illustration ONLY.
Available Sizes: For an impressive display and maximum readability, choose the largest size available.
Smaller size prints make excellent wall art in groups. Please note that there is no guarantee that small text will be legible in print.
Great Gift For:
Interior Designers, Teachers, History Buffs, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Friends, Family, and many more!
Production and Shipping Times: The amount of time it takes for your map to arrive depends on where you live and how fast you approve the proof if you’ve ordered a custom map. See Production & Shipping.
Quality and Guarantee: We stand behind our work and guarantee the construction and quality. Contact us if you have any problems with your map and we will coordinate to ensure you are very happy with your purchase.
Materials and Production: This reproduction is printed on Fine Art Museum Quality Paper with giclée inks. The thick paper is archival quality and acid-free with vivid color definition. Paper details:
Made in the USA by a USA Small Business and Professional Geographer & Cartographer.
Shipped in a tube and rolled to eliminate creases.
Prior to the 1900s, Tulare Lake was the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. The lake system included wetlands and marshes and supported an ecosystem of wildlife including birds, aquaculture, and and and animals. The lake lost its replenishing water resources in the later 1800's when divergent structures will built to support canals and lakes. The lake's demise can be seen when comparing historic maps that show the shrinking size of the lake over the decades from 1850s up until the 1930s where the lake is no longer referenced on maps.
The 1850s were a transformative decade in the history of California, marked by rapid growth, societal changes, and the impact of the Gold Rush on the state's development, as well as its positioning in the context of the nation's westward expansion.
The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848 set off the California Gold Rush, which reached its peak in the early 1850s. The news of gold drew thousands of fortune seekers from around the world, resulting in a massive influx of migrants to the region, known as "49ers." This influx of people seeking their fortunes had a profound impact on California's population, economy, and society.
San Francisco, which had been a small settlement before the Gold Rush, experienced explosive growth and became a bustling port city and gateway to the goldfields. The population of California grew rapidly, transforming the state's demographics and contributing to the rise of diverse communities.
The Gold Rush also brought significant economic changes. While many prospectors did not strike it rich, entrepreneurs and merchants profited from providing supplies and services to the miners. This economic activity helped stimulate the growth of towns and cities throughout the state.
In 1850, California was admitted as the 31st state of the United States, largely due to the population explosion caused by the Gold Rush. The state's admission also had political implications, as the question of whether California would be a free or slave state intensified the national debate over the expansion of slavery into new territories. California's entry as a free state upset the balance between free and slave states, further fueling tensions between the North and the South.
The 1850s were also marked by the development of infrastructure and the establishment of essential institutions. The construction of the first transcontinental telegraph line, completed in 1861, connected California to the rest of the country and facilitated communication across vast distances. The establishment of schools, universities, and cultural institutions contributed to the state's intellectual and cultural growth.
While the Gold Rush brought rapid growth and opportunities, it also had negative social and environmental impacts. Native American populations suffered displacement and violence, and the environmental consequences of gold mining, including deforestation and water pollution, left lasting scars on the landscape.
The decade also saw the beginnings of agricultural and industrial development. The fertile land and favorable climate of California made it suitable for farming, and industries like agriculture, ranching, and lumbering began to take shape. Additionally, the development of railroads helped connect different parts of the state and facilitated the movement of goods and people.
As the 1850s came to a close, California was a state transformed. The effects of the Gold Rush, combined with its admission as a free state and its expanding economy, positioned California as a critical player in the growing nation. The state's rapid growth, diverse population, and economic opportunities made it a symbol of the westward expansion and a reflection of the dynamic changes that characterized the mid-19th century in the United States.
