FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2022-018 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (January 27, 2022) – In Issue 2022-018 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, we learn the trials of some Native American re-settlements.

TRAIL OF TEARS

On this date in 1825, the US Congress set aside the part of the country west of Missouri and Arkansas and East of Mexican Territory for the resettlement of Native American tribes from east of that area.

With the idea that the land would be off limits to white settlers and, at the time, perceived to be the westernmost reaches of the US, this was thought to be a solution to the tension between the tribes and land-hungry settlers.

Of course, Congress did not take into account that the tribes were not one big homogeneous group and relocating the groups was not always peaceful.

The land now known as the state of Oklahoma is where most of the tribes settled and is labeled Indian Territory on maps starting from the 1830s.  Today, Oklahoma has the largest Native American population of any state, with over 65 different tribal nations located there.

Here is Gray’s map of Indian Territory from 1875.

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: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.