Rare Old map of Indiana by J.H. Colton, 1855: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, New Albany, Terre Haute, Lafayette

Immerse yourself in the rich history of the United States with this exquisite old map of Indiana, crafted by the renowned mapmaker J.H. Colton in 1855. This piece offers a fascinating glimpse into the early development of the nation, a time when many settlements were yet to be founded and the landscape was in a constant state of flux. As you trace the delicate lines and intricate details of this map, you'll be transported back to a time when the country was still finding its feet and carving out its identity.

This map hails from a period of significant change and growth in the United States. In 1855, Indiana was a burgeoning state, its borders and place names not yet firmly established. The map captures this dynamic period in history, with settlements, rivers, and roads marked out in meticulous detail. The names and borders you see may have changed over the last 150 years, but the spirit of exploration and progress that they represent remains a fundamental part of the American story.

The work of J.H. Colton, widely regarded as the finest American mapmaker of his era, is characterized by his exceptional attention to detail and accuracy. This map is no exception. It features the five most notable settlements in Indiana at the time: Indianapolis, the state capital and a key hub of commerce and transportation; Fort Wayne, a vital outpost on the frontier; New Albany, a thriving river town; Terre Haute, known for its rich natural resources; and Lafayette, a bustling center of trade and industry.

Explore the history of Indiana through this captivating map, and discover the roots of a state that has played a crucial role in the development of the United States. This is more than just a map - it's a piece of history, a work of art, and a testament to the pioneering spirit that shaped a nation.

Notable Settlements in Indiana (Pre-1855)

1. Indianapolis (1821): Known as the Crossroads of America, it became the state capital in 1825.
2. Fort Wayne (1794): Named after General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, it was a key outpost on the frontier.
3. New Albany (1813): A thriving river town, it was the largest city in Indiana until 1860.
4. Terre Haute (1816): Known for its rich natural resources, it was an important site for manufacturing and mining.
5. Lafayette (1825): A bustling center of trade and industry, it was named after the French General Marquis de Lafayette.
6. Vincennes (1732): The oldest continually inhabited European settlement in Indiana, and one of the oldest settlements west of the Appalachians.
7. Evansville (1812): Known as the "Crescent City", it was a major stop for steamboats along the Ohio River.
8. South Bend (1831): Known for its large indigenous population and later the establishment of the University of Notre Dame.
9. Madison (1809): One of the most prosperous industrial cities of the pre-Civil War era, known for its historic architecture.
10. Bloomington (1818): Established as a settlement for salt production and later became the home of Indiana University.
11. Richmond (1806): Known as the "cradle of recorded jazz" with a rich Quaker history.
12. Corydon (1808): The first state capital of Indiana from 1816 to 1825.
13. Jeffersonville (1802): A strategic location during the Civil War due to its proximity to Louisville, Kentucky.
14. Kokomo (1844): Known as the "City of Firsts" for its significant contributions to the automobile industry.
15. Goshen (1831): Known for its rich agricultural history and as a major station on the Underground Railroad.
16. Columbus (1821): Noted for its modern architecture and design.
17. Anderson (1827): Named after Chief William Anderson, it was a significant site for the natural gas boom of the late 19th century.
18. Muncie (1827): Known for the Indiana gas boom and the establishment of Ball State University.
19. New Castle (1823): Known for its large earthwork built by the indigenous people of the Hopewell culture.
20. Salem (1814): Known for its historic downtown area and the Salem Speedway.

Indigenous Tribes and Territories

• Miami Tribe: Known for their extensive trade network.
• Shawnee Tribe: Known for their resistance against the U.S. in the Tecumseh's War.
• Potawatomi Tribe: Known for their forced removal in the Potawatomi Trail of Death.
• Delaware Tribe: Known for their migration to the region in the 18th century.

Notable Natural Phenomena

• Ohio River: The southern boundary of Indiana, a major waterway for transportation and trade.
• Wabash River: The official river of Indiana, a key part of the state's early transportation network.
• Indiana Dunes: Located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, a popular tourist attraction today.
• Hoosier National Forest: Known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Historical Events (1810-1855)

• Tecumseh's War (1811): A conflict between the U.S. and an indigenous confederacy led by Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa.
• Indiana Statehood (1816): Indiana was admitted as the 19th U.S. state.
• Construction of the Michigan Road (1830s): The state's first major road, connecting Madison to Michigan City.
• Potawatomi Trail of Death (1838): The forced removal of the Potawatomi people from Indiana to Kansas.

Please 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.

This 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.

I 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.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This 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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.