[or-roots] Historical maps - 1851 Willamette Valley

[albert belanger]

Bonjour, Ray,

I was elated when I saw your reference to an 1851 map of the Willamette
Valley!  You see I am just ready to publish a book on the Oregon Trail
migration of 1851, and would dearly like to include that map.  The
problem is that I live so far away from a western library that would
have a copy of that book so that I could photocopy the map.  I wonder if
it would be possible for you to scan that map at 300 dpi and send it to
me...I would be so very grateful!  If it is too large for your scanner,
would it be possible for you to take the book to a copy center and have
them do it?  I, of course, would cover the cost of transportation, the
copies......and a light, non alcoholic lunch if that is required  :-)

Unfortunately, I am working against a deadline right now regarding the
selection of pictures for my book, so I am hoping you could fit this
chore into your doubtless busy schedule.

Your humble servant &c., &c.,

Albert

Albert Edward Belanger
128 Middle Road
Brentwood, NH 03833

Researching the 1851 Oregon Trail Migration


-----Original Message-----
From: Ray Powell [mailto:rayp6217 at comcast.net] 
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2008 1:15 AM
To: or-roots mail list
Subject: [or-roots] Historical maps

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking on this list for a few years and have made a comment
or 
two when people have asked questions about old 'placenames' and where
they 
were located. The longtime researchers on this list have probably
already 
seen it but I just came across a book called "Maps of Historical Oregon"
by 
R. N. Preston printed in 1972. Western Guide Publishers of Corvallis, OR

were the publishers. Mr Preston seems to have done a number of these
books 
for the Northwest as I found other books on Washington and Idaho.

It might just be that I am fascinated with maps (always have been,
always 
will be) but I find this a very interesting publication. There are the 
following maps:

Oregon 1804 - Very little is shown because this was apparently drawn and

used at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Oregon 1838 - The origin of this early map is unknow; however, it shows
the 
original spelling of many places, some long since forgotten.

Willamette Valley 1851 - Some interesting names appear on this map in
the 
Willamette Valley. Some are just interesting spelling variations and
some 
are names of places that were changed to something totally different.

Oregon 1859 - Very interesting as it was made just as Oregon was a newly

formed state.

Oregon 1863 -

Indian Battlegrounds 1863 - 1865

Military Roads

Oregon 1871

Oregon 1876

Oregon 1878

Oregon 1878

Oregon 1881

Oregon 1887

Union Pacific Overland Route Map 1890

Oregon 1900

Oregon 1913

Oregon 1921

Oregon Country and Counties

Oregon Military Camps and Forts 1851 - 1880

The 1878 map has a clear overlay that has makes it possible to compare 
modern Oregon with Oregon of 1878. While the print on the maps tend to
be 
small (I find a magnifier to be immensely helpful) there is a lot of
info to 
be found.

The Corvallis Benton Public Library has a copy in the Reference section
of 
the library. My copy is a privately owned one that I have borrowed for
two 
or three weeks. Anyone who is interested in locating places on a map
would 
do well to take a close look at this publication.

Ray Powell

s.o. Clarence, s.o. Calvin Russell, s.o. Russell Bartholomew, s.o.
Calvin 
II, s.o. Calvin I, s.o. of Rowland Powell of MA