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California Under Mexico

Extremely scarce early map of California, one of the earliest to focus on the region between San Francisco and San Diego and include inland topographic detail.

The southern extremities include details at the confluence of the Colorado and Gila and an early reference to Pala east of the Mission San Luis Rey in NE San Diego County.

The missions in S. Diego, S. Luis Rey, S. Bernardino, S. Gabriel, S. Buenaventura, S. Barbara, S. Ynes, La Purissima and S. Luis Obispo are shown, as are Pueblo, S Pedro, Moneterey Bay, San Francico, the Channel Islands and Catalina. A massive Tule Lake and Snowy Mountains are shown, along with the Rocky Mountains (Sierras).

The first printed map exclusively devoted solely to a large region of the State of California.

Thomas Coulter

In 1832, Thomas Coulter, a physician turned botanist from Ireland, embarked on a significant journey to California, marking a pivotal chapter in his exploration career. His ventures into the San Diego region in April of that year, as part of an American group driving mules and horses from the California missions, laid the groundwork for his subsequent botanical research and collections in the region.

Coulter joined a notable expedition with David Douglas, exploring the Central California region and contributing significantly to the accumulation of botanical knowledge in the area. Their collaborative efforts, though briefly overlapped, resulted in the extensive documentation and collection of plant specimens.

Coulter’s pursuit of botanical discovery led him through various landscapes of California, from the bustling environment of Santa Barbara to the serene expanses of San Gabriel. His distinction as the first naturalist to collect plants extensively in Southern California underscores his pioneering role in botanical exploration. The documentation of his journeys, including his communication with the Royal Geographical Society in London, illustrates the breadth of his explorations and the depth of his contributions.

Among Coulter's notable discoveries in California were the Coulter Pine (Pinus coulteri) and the Romneya coulteri, also known as the Matilija Poppy. These species, emblematic of California's rich botanical heritage, underscore Coulter's lasting impact on the field. His work laid the foundation for future botanical studies in the region and contributed to the broader understanding of California's diverse flora.