Centennial American Republic and Railroad Map of the United States

Gaylord Watson

1875

Watson's railroad map of the United States was designed to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the country in 1876. The country had entered the Industrial Revolution, and the map stresses themes of technology and progress. The entire railway system is detailed, including names of all the towns with railroad stops. The cartouche drawing on the right shows a train traveling full speed towards the viewer, flanked by Native Americans hunting buffalo to the left, and scenes of agriculture and cities with smokestacks to the right. The theme of the centennial is expressed by several inset drawings (Main Building of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, a portrait of George Washington, the Capitol building in Washington, and Independence Hall in Philadelphia), numerous charts containing statistical data (population by state and county, population of cities, distances between cities, a list of state and territorial governors), and the text of the Declaration of Independence.