This 1907 pocket map of Nevada, created by Rand McNally, offers a detailed and colorful depiction of the state, highlighting its geographical and infrastructural elements.
The map is colored by counties, and includes a wealth of information such as towns, roads, railroads, lakes, mountains, mines, salt marshes, valleys, and some township surveys. Relief is shown using hachures, which effectively illustrate the varying terrain and elevations across the state.
Operating Railroads include
- Eureka & Palisade. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Exp.
- Nevada Central. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Exp.
- Nevada-California-Oregon. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Exp.
- Nevada & California. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Exp.
- San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake. Pacific Exp.
- Southern Pacific Co. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Exp.
- Tonopah. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Exp.
- Virginia & Truckee. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Exp.
Nevada's historyis characterized by periods of exploration, mining booms, and significant political changes. Originally part of the Utah Territory, the region that would become Nevada was sparsely populated by Native American tribes, including the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe. The first European explorers, such as Jedediah Smith and John C. Frémont, traversed the area in the early 19th century, mapping the region and establishing initial contact with the native inhabitants.
The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 marked a pivotal moment in Nevada's history, triggering a silver rush that attracted thousands of miners and settlers to the region. This massive influx of people led to the establishment of bustling towns such as Virginia City, which became a central hub for mining activities. The newfound wealth and population growth prompted the U.S. government to create the Nevada Territory in 1861.
Nevada was admitted to the Union as the 36th state on October 31, 1864, during the American Civil War. Its admission was partly driven by the Union's need for silver to finance the war effort and the desire to secure more electoral votes for President Abraham Lincoln. Following the war, Nevada's economy continued to be dominated by mining, with the discovery of additional silver and gold deposits sustaining its growth.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the development of significant infrastructure, including the expansion of the railroad network, which facilitated transportation and commerce. Towns such as Reno and Las Vegas began to grow, benefiting from their strategic locations along major rail lines. By 1910, Nevada's population had stabilized, and its economy, while still reliant on mining, was beginning to diversify.