Minnetrista Collects Maps

With a great map in hand, you can dream about exploring a different city, state, country, or continent. You can even go back in time and, in some cases, way, way back in time. One of more than 80 maps in the collection donated by Edmund F. Ball is titled America Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio. The black and white wood-engraved map from a 1588 – yes, that is the correct date – atlas shows a much different America than the one we know. The map locates the village of “Quivera” in what is now California and inland “kingdoms” with names like “Anian” and “Tolm” to the north and east. In the center of the continent are “Tiuguas rio,” “Marata,” and “Terlichiechi.” Makes you wonder what happened to all of these places. Do they still exist? What is the English name?

All of the maps in Ed Ball’s collection have Indiana in them. A few depict the entire country, some show the Northwest Territory, but most focus just on Indiana. It’s interesting to see the progression of the settlement of the state from south to north. Check out these maps from 1821, 1832, and 1855. Notice that territories are designated for several Native American tribes, including the Delaware, Pinkashaw, and Kickapoo on the 1821 map. Miami and Potawatami territories are listed in the 1832 map, and Muncie is spelled “Munsey.” By 1855, all counties have been established.

These are just a few of the more than 200 maps in the Minnetrista Heritage Collection. Check some of them out at www.minnetrista.s4.devpreviewr.com