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Rare and important map of California and Nevada, published by Warren Holt in San Francisco and engraved by S.B. Linton of Philadelphia.

Wheat identified the map as the best and most up to date map of both California and Nevada to date, stating that "no amount of time spent on this map would be wasted; its detail is fascinating. Constructed on a scale of 12 miles to the inch, the map is one of the largest maps of the region published to date and clearly the most detailed. Wheat notes that the map was in the style of the Army maps of the period, both in scale and in the inclusion of American Flags flying over military posts. The map includes a number of highly current additions, including the extension of the Central Pacific RR to Elko County and on to Utah, with a number of stations added which were first opened in 1869 (Carlin, Moleen, Elco, Pelco, Tulasco, Wells, Cedar, Moore's, Independence, Toano, Montello, Tecopa and Lucin (Lucky), just across the border in Utah.

The "Proposed New Stage and Rail Road Routes to Boise City" are shown. The White Pine District, last of the great Nevada boom regions of the 1860s, is shown in great detail, including Hamilton, Treasure Hill and other camps. In Southern California, the "Route Surveyed by the Southern Pacific RR Co." crossing the Colorado just above "The Needles" is shown, although the actual route would take the path of the Sycamore Bend & Tejon Pass RR, located near by.

Among the more fascinating details are several Irrigation Canals south of the Copper Mines near Needles, just east of the Colorado River and the extensive notes regarding the Navigation prospects for a number of the major rivers. Also, the Petroleum Oil Mountains in south Santa Barbara (to become Ventura) County, are named, a name very rarely seen on printed maps of this era. The Drum Barracks near Wilmington are also shown, named for Richard Coulter Drum, head of the Department of the Pacific. This facility served as the Union Army headquarters in the Southwest (Southern California and the Arizona Territory) from 1861 - 1871, before being closed in 1873.

The map locates the Boundaries and Office Locations of the Ten US Land Districts shown on the map and includes a finely engraved vignette of Capital Building in Sacramento, which was still then under construction and would not be complete until 1874. The map key also identifies Townships, County Seats, Proposed, Surveyed and Built Rail roads and a host of other fine details. Many of the Spanish Missions are noted, along with Wagon Road, Road Houses, Mines and Mining Districts, Springs, Indian Settlements and early Ranches and land owner claims. A number of early exploration routes are also noted. Along the coastline, many landings, points and early settlements are identified.

The detail of the map is extraordinary. Wheat was clearly correct. The map is an endless source of information and entertainment.