[Run of 6 Volumes] Report Upon Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian

The Wheeler Surveys Collection of six important annual reports documenting the progress of the Wheeler Survey from 1875 to 1880. This fascinating series of reports contains 18 folding maps, numerous plates, and detailed&. 6 volumes. Ovtavo. Contemporary cloth binding by the US Government Bindery. Volume I in full original cloth, while Volumes II-VI have original print-text covers. Volumes I and IV show minor splitting at hinges. Bookplates "With the Compliments of George M. Wheeler, Liet. of Engineers, U. S. Army" in Volumes I and VI. One map separate from binding but present. The Wheeler Surveys Collection of six important annual reports documenting the progress of the Wheeler Survey from 1875 to 1880. This fascinating series of reports contains 18 folding maps, numerous plates, and detailed text regarding the exploration of the West. One of the four great surveys of the American West (in addition to the King, Hayden, and Powell Surveys), the Wheeler Survey ran from 1869-1879 with primary goals that included: creating a better geographical map of the west; determining the geological, botanical, and zoological points of interest in the west; and mapping possible routes for roads and railroads. These reports were published as appendices to the Annual Report to the Army Chief of Engineers. George Wheeler and The Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian George Montague Wheeler was placed in charge of mapping the western United States for the US Army Corps of Engineers at the age of 26. With a team comprising several dozen army officers and civilian scientists, he would embark on his first early expeditions in 1869 and 1871. Public support for the surveys would blossom following the publication of William Bell and Timothy O'Sullivan's photographs of the west, and Congress would formally appropriate funds for mapping the territories west of the 100th meridian in 1872. The US Army Chief of Engineers, Andrew Humphreys, had initially conceived of a survey that not only focused on geographical mapping but also understanding the economic resources and scientific interest of the western American possessions. He described the purpose of the surveys as: [to] obtain correct topographical knowledge of . . . everything relating to the physical features of the country, the numbers, habits, and dispositions of the Indians who may live in this section, the selection of such sites as may be used for future military operation or occupation, and the facilities offered for making rail or common roads . . . the mineral resources that may be discovered . . . the influence of climate, the geological formations, character and kinds of vegetation, its probable value for agricultural and grazing purposes, relative proportions of woodland, water, and other qualities which affect its value. . . Such an extensive survey of such an expansive area would take a long time to complete, but Wheeler progressed quickly. By 1879, large portions of Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico, along with parts of California, would be mapped. In that year, however, Congress would decide that having four overlapping surveys of the west, both military and civilian, was inefficient. The surveys would then be agglomerated into the newly formed USGS, although Wheeler would publish several later reports based on previously collected data. Rarity Collections of these reports are rare on the market and present an uncommon opportunity for American West collectors. Contents Maps A description of some of the more interesting maps included in the report are detailed below. Progress Maps Each volume contains a progress map, showing the developments of t.…