Rare Old Map of Mississippi by H.S. Tanner, 1836: Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, Biloxi, Tupelo, Roads, Railway, Canals

Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the past with this beautifully crafted 1836 map of Mississippi by esteemed cartographer, H. S. Tanner. This vintage piece is not just a map; it's a snapshot of history that vividly showcases Mississippi in its early stages of growth and development. From the burgeoning towns that have now become major cities, to the intricacies of the transportation network of canals, roads, and railroads, the map captures an age of exploration and expansion that shaped the Magnolia State we know today. Its meticulous details even include the distances between key settlements, providing a glimpse into the painstaking work of 19th-century cartography.

Each feature on this map tells a story – the well-trodden roads that guided travelers, the flourishing canals that facilitated commerce, the nascent railroads heralding the onset of the industrial era. It's the perfect collectible for history buffs, map lovers, and Mississippi enthusiasts alike, who will find countless hours of fascination in exploring the beginnings of familiar cities and towns, and tracing the veins of the state's early transport systems. This exquisite map is more than a piece of decor; it's a conversation starter and an insightful look into our shared past.

List of settlements in order of modern day population size:

• Jackson (1821): The state's capital and largest city, Jackson was initially known as LeFleur's Bluff. Named after President Andrew Jackson, it has long been a hub of African-American culture and civil rights history.
• Gulfport (1835): Founded as a harbor city, Gulfport has grown into Mississippi's second-largest city. Its significance as a port city is integral to the state's economic history.
• Southaven (1825): Situated in DeSoto County, Southaven was an early rural settlement that has grown into a populous city. Its proximity to the Mississippi River made it significant in trade.
• Biloxi (1699): One of the oldest European settlements in the United States, Biloxi served as the capital of French Louisiana. Its vibrant history makes it a popular tourist destination.
• Meridian (1833): Founded as a railroad town, Meridian was a major strategic location during the Civil War. Its rich history can still be seen in the architecture today.
• Tupelo (1830): Renowned as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo's rich history is evident in the Chickasaw Village and Fort site, and the Tupelo National Battlefield.
• Greenville (1824): Named after Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, Greenville became a major cotton producer and played a significant role in the Mississippi Delta's Blues music heritage.
• Olive Branch (1836): Established as a postal station, Olive Branch has seen rapid growth due to its strategic location near the border of Tennessee.
• Horn Lake (1810): Initially settled by English and Scottish immigrants, it was an important transportation hub due to its location on the Mississippi River.
• Pearl (1820): Named for the Pearl River which runs along its eastern boundary, this city was a key player in the state's early transportation and trade.
• Madison (1856): Founded as Madison Station, the city was an important site on the Illinois Central Railroad.
• Brandon (1828): Named after the first wife of Gerard C. Brandon, the state's first native-born governor, it was a key center for education in Mississippi.
• Starkville (1831): The home of Mississippi State University, one of the state's land grant institutions, Starkville was originally called Boardtown.
• Oxford (1835): Known as the home of the University of Mississippi, Oxford was named after the British university city to attract educators.
• Greenwood (1830): Known as the "Cotton Capital of the World," Greenwood played a significant role in the state's agricultural history.
• Laurel (1882): Founded as a lumber town, Laurel's sawmills supplied the world with yellow pine.
• Grenada (1836): Named after the Spanish province, Grenada was a key site for Southern troops during the Civil War.
• Pascagoula (1720): Known as the "Flagship City," Pascagoula is famous for its shipbuilding industry.

Notable Features:

• Mississippi River: The most significant river in the state, its importance for transportation and trade in the 19th century cannot be overstated.
• Natchez Trace Parkway: This historic forest trail extends 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, and was an important wilderness road during the 1800s.
• Vicksburg National Military Park: The site of the Civil War's Battle of Vicksburg in 1863, it is a popular historical destination.
• The Mississippi Delta: Known as "The Most Southern Place on Earth," the Delta is known for its rich soil and has been a hub for agriculture and Blues music.

Historical Events (1810-1840):

• The Battle of Ackia (1836): This battle during the Chickasaw Wars took place near modern-day Tupelo, where the Chickasaw defeated the French and their Choctaw allies.
• The Trail of Tears (1831-1838): This series of forced relocations of Native American nations, including the Choctaw from Mississippi, was a tragic event in American history.
• The Formation of the State (1817): Mississippi officially became the 20th state of the Union on December 10, 1817.

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 100in (254cm). 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.

Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.

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.