FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-017

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (February 4, 2026) – This issue of Fun with Maps tells the story of the first presidential election in U.S. history – no party politics in that one.

BEFORE POLITICAL PARTIES

The first Presidential election was held on February 4, 1789.  It resulted in George Washington unanimously being elected President and John Adams as Vice-President.

The 1789 election was not an election with popular votes cast like today.  Instead there were electors chosen from their states who each had two votes to cast.  The President was the one receiving the most votes and the Vice-President would be the runner up.

Washington was considered the only suitable candidate for President, and his Southern orientation made the choice of a Northerner as Vice-President a logical counterbalance.

Both Washington and Adams traveled to the swearing-in ceremonies in New York, then the capital city – Adams on April 21st so that he could preside over the Congress to verify the election results, and Washington on April 30th.

Washington was a Virginian, so here is a map of the state from 1855 by Colton.  This is after Virginia lost territory to form Kentucky and prior to West Virginia separating and becoming its own state.  

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.