Map of Alaska From Juneau to Forty Mile Creek [inset]
- Title:
- Map of Alaska From Juneau to Forty Mile Creek [inset]
- Alternate Title:
- Alaska; From Juneau to Forty Mile Creek
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- United States Department of the Interior, General Land Office
- Other Creators:
- King, Harry, Chief of Drafting Division G.L.B.
- Date:
- 1898
- Posted Date:
- 2017-04-14
- ID Number:
- 2078.01
- Collection Number:
- 8548
- File Name:
- PJM_2078_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1870 - 1899
- Subject:
- Advertising & Promotion
Unusual Graphics/Text - Measurement:
- 63 x 82, with inset map 37 x 21 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- This U.S. government map of Alaska at the time of the Yukon Gold Rush provides a wealth of information apparently encouraging would-be prospectors, and supporting their efforts, to get to the gold fields. Large areas are clearly colored in gold, denoted in the Legend as "Regions of reported Gold Discoveries." The map also shows areas of "Silver," "Copper" and "Coal." Clear lines in red denominate "Routes to the Interior; by water and overland." A table at the lower right provides extensive and detailed Distances from San Francisco and Seattle to Dutch Harbor and Sitka and Juneau, and from those intermediate points to numerous locations of the "reported Gold Discoveries."
Unfortunately, much of the information of this sort was misused by unscrupulous publishers and proved misleading to those who depended on it. The Yukon gold discoveries led to an urgent demand for maps of the region, until then virtually unknown. "Consequently, maps of the Klondike and routes to the region were rushed to print and onto distribution with very little concern for accuracy or detail. . . . From the map producers' perspective, the main point was to use the pretense of objectivity - the map as a tool of legitimacy - in order to further specific economic interests" such as the sale of outfitting supplies, train tickets, steamer passage and hotel rooms. Burnette 2006, 46. They were simply "promotional pieces for those southern businesses particularly the transportation companies and large outfitters that stood to make fortunes servicing the needs of the Yukon-bound gold seekers." Murray, 2011. See, e.g., ID #1125, Wm. W. Hart & Co., outfitters, "Correct Map of Alaska and Klondike." These maps were particularly misleading because "all the unexplored river valleys are labelled 'gold fields.' These enhancements made the area appear to be paved in gold when in fact there was only one field (albeit a very rich field) outside Dawson City." Murray, 2008. Moreover, because these maps covered the entire northwestern part of the continent at very small scale, they were essentially useless to the prospector on the ground; they "were life-threatening for novices of wilderness travel" who tried to follow them. Murray, 2011b.
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Cite As:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, #8548. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Repository:
- Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
- Archival Collection:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.