We like to think of our states as we know them now—like, Texas has a panhandle and Las Vegas is in Nevada—not Utah, and Oregon stays on its side of the Snake River. But any good Western States researcher knows about the past territorial lives of the states along the Rocky Mountain corridor. In 1850 it was all about Texas, and the territories of Oregon and Utah…
Map of U.S. Territorial Growth (1850) from the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection. This image can be found at [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/us_terr_1850]And by 1860 the area was part of five territories—Washington, Nebraska, Kansas, Utah, and New Mexico:
Map of U.S. Territorial Growth (1860), cropped, from the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection. This image can be found at [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/us_terr_1860]
By 1870 what we now know as the Western States had taken their familiar shape, and those along the Rockies were officially territories in their own right:
Map of U.S. Territorial Growth (1870) from the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection. This image can be found at [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/us_terr_1870]By 1900 all the Western States had achieved statehood but New Mexico and Arizona, who were admitted to the Union in 1912:
Map of U.S. Territorial Growth (1900), cropped, from the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection. This image can be found at [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/us_terr_1900]Where did your ancestors settle in the West? Make a timeline of their activities and movements and plan to search some Territorial Records. Help in that area will be posted next time.
“…the maps scanned by the University of Texas Libraries and served from this web site are in the public domain. No permissions are needed to copy them. You may download them and use them as you wish.”
I am an Accredited Genealogist® professional living in California. I have been researching and teaching since 1988.
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3 thoughts on “Yes, Texas extended all the way to Wyoming”
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On Granny's Trail 
Unquestionably consider that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed
to be on the web the simplest factor to have in mind of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed at the same time as
other people consider worries that they just don’t recognize about.
You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and also outlined out the
whole thing with no need side-effects , other people
can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thanks
Very good website you have here but I was curious if you
knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get advice from other experienced individuals that share the same
interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Many thanks!
Holy cow, that’s crazy! Silly Texas, thinking it owned the world or something . . .