With a hand-written annotation by J.N. Lentell, one of the most important surveyors of 19th-century California.
Map of Eureka, Humboldt Bay.
$675
1 in stock
Description
This is a manuscript copy of a foundational map for Eureka, a town in Humboldt County, Northern California. It was originally compiled in 1850, the same year the city was founded, at the height of the Gold Rush.
Like most new towns of the era, Eureka was laid out on an orthogonal grid created by east-west and north-south running streets. Around half the blocks created by this layout had already been subdivided into individually numbered plots by the time this map was made. The latest plots with the highest numbers remain undivided city blocks at this stage. As in many Gold Rush foundations, one orientation of streets is named by number, while perpendicular streets are named by letters. Along the bottom of the map (north-northwest), the original coastline of Arcata Bay has been drawn in to show the new town’s proximity to the waterfront.
A printed annotation on the map indicates that it was compiled following a survey in 1850 by one of Eureka’s first inhabitants, the later State Senator for Humboldt County, James Talbot Ryan. There is a hand-written annotation along the right fringe of the map by the famous California Surveyor Jesse N. Lentell:
“A correct copy of the original as shown on the map in Records Office, copied Dec 24 1886, J.N. Lentell”
We are unsure why Lentell sought out Ryan’s original plan. By 1886, Eureka had outgrown its foundation significantly. Lentell was based in Eureka and was heavily involved in local development planning throughout the 1880s. He produced several essential survey maps of Eureka and Humboldt County during those years (including an 1888 plan for the sewage system of Eureka).
Lentell’s interest in Ryan’s original plan may reflect several factors associated with Eureka’s growth. The map may also have been used to resolve property disputes, verify boundaries, or update land records. Indeed, such maps often served as legal references for land claims and municipal planning.
Context is Everything
Native American tribes originally inhabited Humboldt County, but European-American settlers began establishing themselves in the area after discovering gold. The town of Eureka was formally established by Isaac H. Allen, who, along with a group of other settlers, began developing the area into a port on Arcata Bay. In this way, Allen is often credited with laying the foundations for Eureka’s early growth. The settlement expanded quickly to become a vital lumber and shipping hub in Northern California. This role was partly achieved due to the abundance of redwoods in the area.
Cartographer(s):
J.N. Lentell was a surveyor and civil engineer active in California from the 1890s through the 1930s. He may have initially resided in Sacramento and San Francisco, but definitely was settled in Eureka by 1904. His works included a huge wall map of California published in several editions in the 1890s and several pocket maps of California counties in the first decade of the 20th century.
James Talbot RyanJames Talbot Ryan (1822-1875) was an early settler in Eureka, California. He is credited with creating the city’s first plan in 1850. Originally from New York, Ryan arrived in the mid-19th century. In 1859, he was elected as Humboldt County’s state senator, reflecting his involvement in local politics. His cartographic contributions were instrumental in the early development and planning of Eureka.
Condition Description
Manuscript map. Discoloration on old folds.
References
