Manitoba
Map 1876
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manitobamaps/2115600381/
Map of the Province of Manitoba and Part of the District of Kewatin and
North West Territory (1876)
Books on the prairies written during the settlement era were generally
accompanied
by maps of indifferent quality. This is a characteristic map, intended
to
provide the general reader with the information he requires for
following
the material in the book. It is gay and pleasant, and drawn in rather
carefree
fashion. The cartographer, for example, shows off his dexterity in
printing
in the very long title. This map has glaring errors, such as the
indication
of a main C. P. R. line west of Selkirk, which was never built, and a
steamboat
on Lake Manitoba, before one was in use. Also the north-south railroad
line
was not completed by 1876. Stock engraving blocks were probably used to
show
Mennonites, Indians, steamboats, and sailing vessels. The map shows the
names
of some of the townships east of Winnipeg, Millbrook, Plympton and
Sunnyside,
intended to be minor administrative units on the model of Ontarian
townships.
It also correctly indicates the two Mennonite reserves. The French
Canadian
reserve near Emerson never existed. The map shows how settlement was
gradually
starting to fan out from Winnipeg in the early 1870s, but before there
was
really much thrust. The famous Palestine area (present Gladstone) and
Beautiful
Plain (Arden) are marked, but even the favoured Pembina Mountain area
had
hardly been touched by farmers, except for the Boyne Settlement. On
this
map we can see how the earliest boundaries of the Province do not
conform
to the section survey.
(Warkentin and Ruggles. Historical Atlas of Manitoba. map 121, p. 276)
--------------
Map of the Province of Manitoba and Part of the District of Kewatin and
North
West Territory Showing the Townships and Settlements. Drawn from the
latest
Gov. Maps, Surveys and Reports for "The Prairie Province" 1876.
Hamilton, J. C.
Image Courtesy of University of Manitoba : Archives & Special
Collections |
