PARKER, John W.
Map of the State of Nevada compiled by John W. Parker, Chief Draughtsman of the U.S. Sur. General's Office.
Lithographed map with original hand color.
Reno, Nevada: 1886.
34 3/4" x 46 3/4" sheet.

Lithographed map, folded and loosely laid in brown cloth boards (4 1/4" x 7"). Tinted in pink, green and yellow (light edge and fold wear, few small corner bends, minor creasing). Slip case brown cloth on boards, blind ruled with gilt stamped title "Parker's Map of Nevada" on front (lightly rubbed, upper right corner of front cover bent, hinges cracked). PRINTED IN NEVADA.

Exceptionally fine coloring, an incredible example unlikely to be matched. All geographical features have been carefully labelled, from the largest mountain ranges, to the smallest dried lakes. Scale is 12 miles to the inch. Cities and towns that are sub-divided are explicitly indicated, making this map an advertisement for land in the West. The Homestead Act of 1862, passing two years before Nevada achieved statehood, encouraged new immigrants and those crowded in the Northeast to venture West in search of opportunity. Because the plots were subdivided in grids, anyone could stake a claim to any parcel of land, even if it was a prized position based on natural features. There were no considerations based on a person's background, making this a truly American initiative. This map is a reflection of that process and a document encouraging settlement by marking towns with distinctive x's. The map, based on surveys by the Federal government, was produced in Nevada to be sent out to the rest of the country to stoke interest in the fledgling state. Areas of mineral wealth including gold and silver, so important to the early history of Nevada, are also highlighted, particularly El Dorado Canyon.