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A Rare Texas Railroad Promotional Map
Scarce promotional map of Texas, published for the International & Great Northern Railroad.
The map boldly promotes "Homes In Texas" and proceed to provide a fine promotional tract on the benefits of Texas, "where lands are cheap and taxes are low."
Map shows "railroads in operation, railroads in course of construction, wagon roads, and county seats." Includes "explanation," text, and statistical tables.
International & Great Northern Railroad
The International - Great Northern Railroad (I&GN) was a railroad that operated in Texas. It was created on September 30, 1873, when International Railroad and the Houston and Great Northern Railroad merged. The railroad was officially incorporated as the International & Great Northern Railroad Company.
Originally, the I&GN operated 177 miles of track from Hearne to Longview, but at its peak it owned 1,106 miles of track. As the railroad expanded, it reached Rockdale in 1874 and Austin on December 28, 1876. The line extended to San Antonio in 1880 and finally to the US-Mexican border town of Laredo on December 1, 1881.
The I&GN, like other railroads of its time, had many financial troubles and went into receivership on several occasions. Jay Gould acquired control of the I&GN in December of 1880. Due to his control of the Missouri Pacific (Mopac) and the Texas and Pacific Railroad, the three were operated as one system, although they each retained their separate corporate identities and seniority districts.
Rarity
The map is very rare. We locate only the example held by the University of Texas at Arlington.
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