Guide Map of the Great Texas Cattle Trail: Kansas Pacific Railway Co., 1875[1958]

• Title: Guide Map of the Great Texas Cattle Trail
• Author: Kansas Pacific Railway Co.
• Date: 1875 [1958]
• Condition: Excellent - issued folding
• Inches: 15 3/4 x 22 [Paper]
• Centimeters: 40.01 x 55.88 [Paper]
• Product ID: 308293

From the private reference library of Dorothy Sloan

With a commemorative book plate loosely inserted

Guide Map of the Great Texas Cattle Trail from Red River Crossing to the Old Reliable Kansas Pacific Railway.

Published by the Kansas Pacific Railway Co. for Gratuitous Distribution. 1875

1958 reproduction of a rare and highly collectible 1875 pocket map showing the Texas Cattle Trail. Includes Indian Territory, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.

The Kansas Pacific Railway began its journey in 1855 as the Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Railroad. In 1863, it was reorganized and renamed the Union Pacific, Eastern Division, despite being completely independent of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Construction of the main line westward from Kansas City commenced in September 1863. The railway made steady progress:

1864: The first 40 miles to Lawrence were operational

1866: The line reached Junction City

1867: Salina was connected to the network

In March 1869, the company's name was officially changed to Kansas Pacific Railway by an Act of Congress.

In 1880, the Kansas Pacific Railway was consolidated with the Union Pacific Railroad. This merger integrated the KP's main line into the larger Union Pacific network, where it continues to play an important role in transcontinental transportation to this day.

The Kansas Pacific Railway was instrumental in opening the central Great Plains for settlement and providing a vital transportation link between Kansas City and Denver. Its construction and operation significantly contributed to the economic development of Kansas and eastern Colorado during a critical period of westward expansion in American history.