This land is our land. . . at least it is now

FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2021-134 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (July 15, 2021) – In Issue 2021-135 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, we forget all about the first rule of purchasing: Buyer Beware. So, what did we get anyway?

Purchased Unseen

Just what did we buy?  So wondered President Thomas Jefferson about the vast land acquired from France, the Louisiana Purchase.

To help fill out the picture, expeditions were sent to explore these unchartered lands, unchartered by the US that is.

One of the earliest such expeditions was led by Captain Zebulon Pike, which stared 215 years ago today.  His charge was to explore the Western Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains.  Lewis and Clark explored the northern portions of the Louisiana purchase a few years previously.

Pike’s military party did explore much of Colorado, and parts of New Mexico and Texas.  And yes, Pike’s Peak in Colorado is named in honor of him.

Here is Cram’s map of the rectangular Colorado from 1887.

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.