Rare early wall map of Orange County, Florida, compiled by Orange County Surveyor J.O. Fries and printed in Philadelphia by E.W. Smith & Co.
The map illustrates Orange County at an early time in his growth period. In addition to illustrating early towns, roads, railroads and hydrographicla features, the map includes representations for various types of terrain and land cover, such as "Scrub," "Hammock," "Marsh Prairie," "Cypress Swamp," "Bay, Low Hammock Swamp," and "Sawgrass."
In addition to the natural features, the legend also identifies symbols used to denote human establishments and infrastructures such as a "Church," a "Building," and different types of roads: "Public Road," "Neighborhood Road," as well as "Railroad and Station."
Furthermore, the legend illustrates the surveying lines used to demarcate property and administrative divisions, with "Township lines," "Section lines," and "¼ Section lines" depicted. These would serve to provide a structured grid for land ownership, legal boundaries, and the organization of the county's land.
This map provides a rare early large scale napshot of Orange County in the late 19th century, portraying a mix of natural landscapes and burgeoning human development at a pivotal time in Florida's history.
Orange County, Florida
Following the transfer of Florida from Spain to the United States in 1821, the nascent American administration organized the territory into initial counties under Governor Andrew Jackson. In 1824, the area that would become Orange County was designated as Mosquito County, with Enterprise as its county seat, encompassing much of central Florida. Renamed Orange County in 1845 upon Florida's admission as a state, th county subsequently underwent several divisions to form new counties, reflecting the growing population and administrative needs of the region.
The area grew slowly until the Reconstruction era, with the first regional boom period lasting the Great Freeze of 1894-1895, which devastated the northern Florida Citrus Industry.
Rarity
The map is extremely rare and appear to be the earliest obtainable map of Orange County, Florida.
We note examples at the Library of Congress (2), New York Public Library, University of Florida and Duke University.
This is the only example we have every seen offered for sale.