The world, on Mercator's projection : showing the different routes to California, and distance by each; routes of different navigators, route of the contemplated Pacific R. Road, distances to China, Europe, &c
Summary
America Transformed: During the first half of the 19th century, it was not easy to travel from the East to the West Coast. This map, published after the discovery of gold in California, displays several possibilities. One route was the lengthy ocean voyage from the East Coast, around the southern tip of South America, to San Francisco. Quicker alternatives, lasting one to three months, combined ocean travel with a short land passage across Central America. Travelers could also cross North America via the Oregon Trail, which took four to six months. While this map appears to emphasize ocean navigation, it also promoted a proposed railroad route from Saint Louis to San Francisco.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library
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