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Utah Sights and Scenes for the Tourist [panel title]. Tourist Map of Union Pacific The Overland route and Connecting lines [map title].

Chicago: Union Pacific Railroad, 1888. 8vo (8.5” x 4”) chromolithographic pictorial wrappers. 48 pp., numerous b&w illus. Illustrated folding map in black, red, and blue, 7.5” x 23”. CONDITION: Very good, occasional foxing.

A scarce railway map and guide to Utah, published by the Union Pacific Railroad to promote their series of “Salt Lake Tours” almost a decade before the territory was granted statehood.

The nine “Salt Lake Tours” described here offer a variety of sight-seeing itineraries, from boat rides on the Great Salt Lake to excursions to Echo and Weber Canyons, Utah Hot Springs, Ogden, Pocatello in what is now Idaho, and more. Detailed descriptions of these destinations follow, the lengthiest of which delves into the history, development, wealth, Mormon activity, notable residences and important architecture of Salt Lake City. “One peculiar fact” that “will strike the visitor” to the city is dwelt upon: “that is, the…astonishing number of old people still alert and active, who have long passed the allotted ‘three score years and ten.’ …In addition to the care and attention bestowed upon the old people in the way of providing for their regular wants, one day in each year is set apart for them, and it is called ‘Old Folks’ Day.’…The idea has been adopted in other parts of the Territory, and lately some enthusiasts have done some vigorous writing in behalf of establishing a National old folks’ day, when the cities of the Nation can trot out their seventy-year-olds and let them have a little fun.” Engraved and photomechanical illustrations throughout the volume show Salt Lake City, Garfield Beach, and several sights from Weber Canyon, including Witches’ Rocks and Wilhelmina Pass. Preliminary pages list agents, in alphabetical order from Baltimore to San Francisco, and outline rates and meals.

The map shows railway routes of the Union Pacific in red, extending from Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Council Bluffs in the east to Santa Barbara, Seattle, and Montesano in the west. Rivers and bodies of water are shown in whole or part (as relevant to the route), as are mountain ranges (relief shown by hachure). Some twenty vignettes across the map illustrate landmarks (Pulpit Rock, Crater Lake, Shoshone Falls) and typical scenes (“Plowing Scene,” “Cattle Ranch,” “Geyser,” “Fishing,” etc.). Two such illustrations contrast “The Old Way” of traveling west—a stage coach—with “The New Way”—a train. Appearing in the lower portion of the map is an elevation profile of the route, indicating the number of miles from Omaha at various cities, as well as identifying states, resources, and natural features along the way, among them the “40 Mile Desert,” the “Laramie Plains,” the “Divide of Waters,” and, from east to west, coal, sage brush, silver mines, lumber, and “Agriculture, Vineyard & Gardens.” 

OCLC records just four holdings for this 1888 edition (evidently the earliest), at University of Utah, Utah State University, the University of Wyoming, and AAS.

An interesting and amply illustrated map and guide to Utah Territory.

Item #9952

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