Early Map of Chicago

"Plan of Chicago Harbor Accompanying the Annual Report of Tho. Jefferson Cram Capt. U.S.T.E.", Cram, Thomas Jefferson (Capt.)

This early map of Chicago was issued in the 26-page Report from the Secretary of War, Transmitting Copies of Reports of the Topographical Bureau in Relation to Internal Improvements in the Territory of Wisconsin... (report not included). Centered on the Chicago Harbor, it shows part of the city in plan form with many streets named. An area south of Randolph Street is Public Ground for ever to remain vacant. This land is now Millennium Park and Grant Park. The map identifies Fort Dearborn and a lighthouse by the bend of the Chicago River, and depicts the position of the piers and the shore as they existed on September 1st, 1839.

Thomas Jefferson Cram (1804-1883) was born in New Hampshire and graduated fourth in his class from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. In 1838, he joined the U. S. (Army) Topographical Engineers, where he received a captain's commission and was assigned to the Great Lakes harbor surveys. In the 1840s he surveyed the Michigan and Wisconsin boundary, and in 1855 he became Chief of the Topographical Engineers, Western Division. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel in 1861, served with distinction in the Civil War and was rewarded with the title of Brevet General in 1866. He retired in 1869.

References: Claussen & Friis #332.

Condition: A

Issued folding on a bright sheet with a hint of offsetting and a few faint spots.