Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-089

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (May 19, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we celebrate acquisition of the geographical area now known as U.S. West.   

More Land

On May 19, 1848 Mexico ratified the Treaty of Guadalupe which ended the Mexican-American War.  From a geographical standpoint, it formed much of today’s western United States.

For $15 million, Mexico gave the United States what is today the states of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. 

The Gadsden Purchase of 1853 completed the land area for the rest of New Mexico and Arizona.

The US also gained ownership of the Rio Grande River and established it as the southern border of Texas.  This enlarged the area of the Republic of Texas by 55%.  At that time Texas included land that eventually became the states of Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

Mexicans who lived in the annexed areas could either become American citizens or relocate to their native country.  Given a year to make their decision, over 90% decided to become Americans.

This map of the US West is by Johnson from 1863.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.