Explore the West of the 100th Meridian through a detailed 19th‑century survey.
This historical report chronicles the 1872 field season of geographical and geological explorations led by George M. Wheeler, under the direction of Brig. Gen. A. A. Humphreys. It presents the scope, methods, and findings from early American survey work west of the hundredth meridian, including topography, astronomy, geology, and natural history.
This edition gathers the progress, methods, and practical insights from a major federal surveying effort. It explains how teams organized field work, the role of astronomical observations, and the practical questions of irrigation, routes, and water resources in the western territories. Readers will see how the survey balanced scientific inquiry with national planning for infrastructure, settlement, and land management.
- Maps and field notes from a landmark expedition across Utah, Nevada, and surrounding areas.
- Discussions of irrigation, water supply, and the feasibility of large-scale projects in arid basins.
- Appendices and lists of personnel, instruments, and early topographic methods.
Ideal for readers of historical exploration and U.S. surveying, geography, and 19th‑century infrastructure planning. This edition offers a window into how early government surveys shaped knowledge and policy on the American West.