The Atlas Maps of Nebraska by S.A. Mitchell, 1860-1870

1860

“Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.” [Eastern Nebraska to 99^th meridian.]

“Minnesota, and Dacotah.” [Eastern Nebraska above Niobrara River to border of British

Possessions, only to 101^st meridian.

--Both maps have “first" border style: squared, dark black border with white flowers:

--In New General Atlas, the first atlas printing produced solely by S. A. Mitchell

1861 (First edition of map showing whole of Nebraska)

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.” (p.39)

--Nebraska in the “long panhandle” configuration, running to the 110th meridian, with Hall County being the westernmost noted

--Colorado shown with no county configuration

--Second border style: gray border with larger, more spaced out flowers and vines than in 1860

--Copyright 1860

--In New General Atlas, as are all of the following maps

1862

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.”

--All information is the same as the 1861 editionnoted above.

1863

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.” (p.43)

--Second edition. Nebraska still in “long panhandle” configuration, but counties have been extended below the Platte River to Saunders [short-lived] county in the southwest corner of the territory. Two additional counties above Platte River also appear. Counties in other states/territories updated as well.

--Colorado now shown with some county configuration

--Third border style: floral border in same design as above, but with a one inch gap [no flowers, just gray space] on top and bottom sides, left and right of center respectively.

-- Published early [prior to end of March 1863.]

--Copyright 1861

1863 (Late) and 1864 (early)

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado, also showing the southern portion of Idaho."

--Nebraska cut down to (near) present size. Southeastern corner of new Idaho Territory shown (in yellow) in future site of Wyoming.

--Fourth border style. Lighter gray with bunches of flowers and vines, smaller than those in previous years.

--Copyright 1861

1864 (Late) to 1866

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, Showing Also the Southern Portion of Dacotah.” (p.48)

--Nebraska borders, and apparently counties, same as above. Southern portion of Idaho is absorbed by Dacotah Territory, which appears in orange, labeled “Attached to Dacotah” and is connected to territory north of Nebraska.

--Same “Fourth style” border as that of 1864

--Copyright 1866

1867

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, Showing Also the Southern Portion of Dacotah.” (p.48)

--Nebraska borders and counties the same as above, although some counties are added in north-central Kansas. Dacotah configuration remains the same.

--Fifth & final border style: border is now white with green leafy vines with outside line frame.

-Copyright 1867

1868 (Early)

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, showing also the southern portion of Dacotah.”

--Nebraska borders the same; however, the six erroneous (never officially designated) western counties-Lyon, Taylor, Monroe, Harrison, Jackson, and Grant-appear. Kansas adds many counties as well.

Area west of Nebraska is now separated, still appearing in orange and labeled "Attached to Dacotah," but Dacotah Territory is now shown in green and comprises only area of present South and North Dakota.

--Same “Fifth Style” border.

--Copyright 1867

1868 (Late) and 1869

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado, showing also the southern portion of Dacotah.” (p.52)

--Nebraska borders and counties (as above) unchanged. Wyoming appears for the first time, labeled as such and shown in yellow. Dacotah Territory in green.

--Same “Fifth Style” border --Copyright 1867

1870

“Map of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado, showing also the southern portion of Dacotah.” (p. 52)

--Nebraska borders and counties (as above) unchanged. Wyoming in yellow. Dacotah Territory in green.

--Same “Fifth Style” border

--Copyright 1870 (copyright appears to have been written over old date, rather than etched on the map plate/added to lithograph)

*This ends the production of single page Nebraska maps produced by Mitchell. The North-central plains (Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Dacotah [now Dakota] most of Wyoming and half of Montana are now (late 1870) shown on a long vertical sheet with the title “County Map of Dakota, Wyoming Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.” Border is unchanged. This vertical configuration remains through 1877, with "Nebraska" (and Kansas) being removed from title in 1874; in that same year, a double page map of Kansas and Nebraska only, entitled “County and Township Map of the States of Kansas and Nebraska” is added to the atlas.