The Atlas Maps of Nebraska by A.J. Johnson 1860-1865

Publication Chronology of

“Johnson's Nebraska . . . ”

From Alvin Jewett Johnson's New Illustrated (Steel Plate) Family Atlas, published by A.J. Johnson

(The maps listed here show the whole of Nebraska, as opposed to his "Johnson's Iowa and Nebraska" atlas map, showing only the eastern portion of the territory.)

NOTE: The information on the map plate itself (topography, towns, and trails/railroad routes) would remain unchanged/not updated for the entire publication run of the single page Nebraska maps; only state/territorial borders were redrawn. The plate itself was "acquired" from J.H. Colton after he had used it in the later printing (it does not appear in all copies) of his 1857 Advertising Atlas of America (Johnson updated it, with settlements added in eastern and east-central Kansas Territory, and two routes running from the east to Denver in that territory).

1860 and, possibly, early 1861

“Johnson’s Nebraska and Kansas.” New York edition, with "classic" (and actual) territorial Nebraska. Published by “Johnson & Browning.” "No.51".

1861

“Johnson’s Nebraska and Kansas” by “Johnson & Browning.” The so-called “Richmond Edition,” (having been published in Richmond, Virginia, instead of New York, New York) with a vertical, rectangular green Dakota going into Nebraska. The Dakota illustrated did not actually exist, nor was it proposed, but a the eastern half of what was then Minnesota Territory had been cut at Minnesota's statehood in 1858. Dakota Territory did not occur (officially) until March 1, 1861.

1861 (mid to late)

“Johnson’s Nebraska Dakota, Colorado & Kansas.” Long panhandle with Niobrara River northern border, and “Nebraska” text going through both yellow Dakota and green Nebraska (mistake?) There is also a "state" with the generally correct (following the 43^rd parallel to the Missouri River) Nebraska border. Published by “Johnson & Browning.”

1861-1862

“Johnson’s Nebraska Dakota, Colorado & Kansas.” Territories now labeled in their borders. Long panhandle with early Johnson border (wrought iron/barbed wire), like all previous editions ("Johnson's Nebraska Dakota, Colorado & Kansas" on four lines) "Johnson and Browning" credit.

1862

Same as above, but changed to "Johnson and Ward" credit.

1863

“Johnson’s Nebraska Dakota, Colorado and Kansas.”Long panhandle with checker border and stars in corners, title change (on five lines instead of four, with "and" instead of "&") and "Johnson and Ward" credit.

1863 (late) and/or 1864 (early)

“Johnson’s Nebraska Dakota, Colorado Idaho & Kansas.” with truncated Nebraska and very large Idaho. Published by “Johnson and Ward.”

1864 (late) and early 1865

“Johnson’s Nebraska, Dakota, Montana and Kansas.” with Dakota comprising the future states of North and South Dakota as well as Wyoming. Published by “Johnson and Ward.”

***This ends of run of single page Nebraska maps produced by Johnson. The North-central plains (Nebraska, Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho [colored] and parts of Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Iowa, and Minnesota are now (late 1865/early 1866) on a large double page map entitled "Johnson's Nebraska, Dakota, Idaho and Montana." Border is unchanged. This horizontal configuration apparently remains until 1873/1874, when Johnson switches to a map showing Kansas and the southern half of Nebraska; however, at least two editions of the former map have appeared in atlases, one with standard coloration in 1883, and another, with the map in very light wash, published in 1886.

REFERENCE:

Croft, B & C. Maps of Nebraska.