{"product_id":"old-map-of-michigan-by-jh-colton-1855-detroit-grand-rapids-ann-arbor-lansing-kalamazoo","title":"Old Map of Michigan by J.H. Colton, 1855: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Kalamazoo","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis remarkable piece is an authentic 1855 map of Michigan, meticulously crafted by J.H. Colton, one of the most esteemed American mapmakers of his time. The map offers a rare glimpse into the nascent stages of the United States, a period when many settlements were yet to be founded, and the landscape of the nation was in a constant state of flux. As such, it provides a unique opportunity to observe the evolution of American history and cartography.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe map captures Michigan during a fascinating period of its history. In 1855, the state was just 18 years into its statehood, and many of its modern-day cities and towns were in their infancy or yet to be established. This makes the map a valuable resource for understanding the early development of Michigan and its role in the broader narrative of American history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's important to note that over the last 150 years, many names and borders have changed. The locations that were prominent in 1855 may not be the same as those we know today. This map, therefore, not only documents the geography of the time but also chronicles the dynamic nature of societal and territorial changes that have shaped the state of Michigan.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe map highlights five notable settlements that existed in Michigan in 1855: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Kalamazoo. Detroit, the largest city and the future automotive capital of the world, was already a bustling hub. Grand Rapids, known for its furniture production, was beginning to grow. Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan founded just 18 years prior, was a beacon of education and culture. Lansing, not yet the capital but a thriving town, and Kalamazoo, an important junction between Detroit and Chicago, are also featured.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJ.H. Colton, the creator of this map, is generally considered the finest American mapmaker of this era. His maps are known for their accuracy, detail, and aesthetic appeal. This map of Michigan is no exception. It exhibits Colton's signature style and attention to detail, making it a prized possession for any collector or enthusiast.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, this 1855 map of Michigan by J.H. Colton is a historical artifact of immense value. It provides a snapshot of a time when the United States was still young, and its future was being written. It is a testament to the skill and artistry of its creator and a window into the past that continues to shape the present. This map is more than just a representation of geographical information; it's a piece of history that tells a story of a time and place that has long since evolved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNotable Settlements in Michigan, 1855\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetroit (1701)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known as the \"Paris of the West\" for its architecture and growth. It was the largest city in Michigan in 1855 and later became the world's automotive capital.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSault Ste. Marie (1668)\u003c\/strong\u003e: The oldest city in Michigan and the third oldest in the United States, it was a critical site for trade and commerce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMackinac Island (1670)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known for its strategic location for the fur trade, it was a center of commerce and military importance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarquette (1849)\u003c\/strong\u003e: A major port on Lake Superior, it played a crucial role in the iron ore shipping industry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnn Arbor (1824)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Home to the University of Michigan, it was a beacon of education and culture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrand Rapids (1826)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known for its furniture industry, it was a significant economic center.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLansing (1847)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Although not yet the capital in 1855, it was a thriving town.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKalamazoo (1829)\u003c\/strong\u003e: An important junction between Detroit and Chicago.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePontiac (1818)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Named after the famous Ottawa leader, it was a significant carriage and wagon manufacturing center.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlint (1819)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known as \"Vehicle City\" for its carriage manufacturing industry before the rise of the automobile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaginaw (1819)\u003c\/strong\u003e: A thriving hub for the lumber industry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMonroe (1785)\u003c\/strong\u003e: The site of the River Raisin Massacre during the War of 1812.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJackson (1829)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known for its large prison, the Michigan State Prison.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBattle Creek (1831)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Future birthplace of the Kellogg Company.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdrian (1826)\u003c\/strong\u003e: A significant hub for the manufacturing of carriages and sleighs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTraverse City (1847)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known for its lumber and shipping industry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBay City (1837)\u003c\/strong\u003e: A prominent center for shipbuilding and lumber.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLapeer (1831)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known for its lumber industry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMuskegon (1837)\u003c\/strong\u003e: A significant port on Lake Michigan and a center for the lumber industry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNiles (1827)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known for its manufacturing and railroad repair facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNative American Tribes in Michigan, 1855\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOjibwe (Chippewa)\u003c\/strong\u003e: One of the largest tribes in North America, they occupied large portions of Michigan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOttawa\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known as traders, they lived primarily in the western part of Lower Michigan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePotawatomi\u003c\/strong\u003e: They inhabited areas in southern and western Michigan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWyandot (Huron)\u003c\/strong\u003e: They lived primarily in the southeastern part of the state.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNotable Natural Features in Michigan, 1855\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLake Michigan\u003c\/strong\u003e: One of the five Great Lakes of North America, it's the only one located entirely within the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLake Superior\u003c\/strong\u003e: The largest of the Great Lakes, and the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLake Huron\u003c\/strong\u003e: The second largest of the Great Lakes, it's home to the largest freshwater island in the world, Manitoulin Island.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLake Erie\u003c\/strong\u003e: The smallest of the Great Lakes by volume, it's known for its fishing industry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMackinac Island\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known for its limestone formations like Arch Rock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePictured Rocks National Lakeshore\u003c\/strong\u003e: Known for its sandstone cliffs, it's now a popular tourist attraction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSleeping Bear Dunes\u003c\/strong\u003e: Large sand dunes located on the Lake Michigan coastline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHistorical Events in Michigan, 1810-1855\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWar of 1812 (1812-1815)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Several battles were fought in Michigan, including the Battle of Mackinac Island and the Battle of Frenchtown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToledo War (1835-1836)\u003c\/strong\u003e: A boundary dispute between Michigan and Ohio over the Toledo Strip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMichigan becomes the 26th state (1837)\u003c\/strong\u003e: Michigan was admitted to the Union on January 26, 1837.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSojourner Truth (1851)\u003c\/strong\u003e: The famous abolitionist and women's rights activist delivered her \"Ain't I a Woman?\" speech in Battle Creek.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 70in (178cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Futura, sans-serif; font-size: 14.72px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.4px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex\/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Map","offer_id":67830108258603,"sku":"hid1792553663802","price":34.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":67830108291371,"sku":"kax1792553663803","price":111.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":67830108324139,"sku":"izi1792553663804","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Map","offer_id":67830108356907,"sku":"sdz1792553663805","price":33.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":67830108389675,"sku":"glf1792553663806","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed canvas 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