Old map of historic Colorado, 1942, (canvas print, 67 cm x 87 cm)

"A Map Locating Only a Few of the Many Adventures on the Frontier that Became Colorado, 1942" stands as a captivating and illustrative piece of historical cartography, unveiling the rugged and vibrant narrative of Colorado's frontier evolution. Crafted by the skilled hands of Victor Drake and published under the auspices of the Colorado Hospitality Committee in 1942, this pictorial map unfolds Colorado's history with both artistic finesse and historical precision.

Spanning the terrain from the Utah border to Kansas and Nebraska, and from Wyoming to New Mexico, the map spans the canvas with an exquisite visual journey. Though neighboring states remain unnamed, the four distinct sections carved on the map's canvas coalesce to paint a vivid panorama of Colorado's pioneering epochs.

The Spanish Era (1540-1821) is meticulously depicted, tracing the intrepid paths of Spanish explorers and missionaries. The footprints of stalwarts such as Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, Juan de Oñate, and Francisco Garcés mark the landscapes they traversed, revealing the tendrils of Spanish influence across the region.

In the Fur Trade Era (1821-1840), the map's strokes guide us through the routes of fur trappers and traders. The trails blazed by luminaries like William Ashley, Jedediah Smith, and Kit Carson come alive, etching tales of resilience and commerce on the canvas of history.

The Gold Rush Era (1848-1860) gleams with the radiance of precious metals. Icons of gold and silver strikes, like Pikes Peak, Leadville, and Cripple Creek, shimmer as markers of the transformative moments that shaped Colorado's fortunes during this fevered era.

Through the Settlement Era (1860-1942), the map unfolds the metamorphosis of wild expanses into thriving urban hubs. Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs emerge as radiant epicenters of development, underscoring the human spirit's triumph over geographical adversity.

Embellishing these historical threads are vignettes that transport us into the past, through the eyes of both human and wildlife denizens. Native Americans, mountain men, pioneers, buffalo, and elk are meticulously etched, inviting us to engage with their stories and their role in the tapestry of Colorado's heritage.

For those gripped by curiosity about Colorado's enigmatic history, "A Map Locating Only a Few of the Many Adventures on the Frontier that Became Colorado, 1942" serves as an invaluable compass. Merging art and information, it imparts a distinctive perspective on the state's rich history, adorning its historical narrative with vibrant hues and evocative contours.