The former includes 19th Century maps of the Western Territories detailing Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and the Oklahoma and Indian Territories. They cover such subjects as Indian nations, tribes and reservations, the pony express, military forts, ceded lands, and cattle trails. Later maps show the location of oil storage batteries and oil leases, mineral resources, timber and coal lands. The Corporation Commission, Department of Education, Election Board, Department of Transportation, Planning and Resources Board, Office of the Secretary of State, and Water Resources Board are among the state agencies with maps on file in the State Archives. These maps provide the researcher with a visual perspective on such topics as railroad routes, school sites, political boundaries, the highway system, oil pipelines, and water resources.
Historical maps can illuminate as well as illustrate the historical landscape.
Used in conjunction with other record group and manuscript group documents, publications, photographs, audio tapes and video tapes, these maps provide a visual piece in the historical puzzle.