1900 California County Maps -

At the turn of the 19th century, stagecoach lines complemented railroads to serve small towns throughout California. The Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. published a small booklet (5 inches x 6.75 inches) that contain maps of counties and the interconnected stage and railroad lines.

California 1900 County Atlas maps showing railroads and stage lines. Produced by Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. — California 1900 County Atlas maps showing railroads and stage lines. Produced by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co.

The old little book I acquired was owned by J. Tyrrel, agent for the Fireman’s Fund out of Oakland, Ca. I suppose the maps in the book were helpful for the agent to visit locations requesting fire insurance and also to aid in the underwriting process. The county atlas may also have been given out as a promotional item. Pages facing the maps include marketing text such as, “Honest losses are promptly adjusted and paid without delay by the Fireman’s Fund Insurance, Co. San Francisco, California.”

Title page of the 1900 California county maps illustrating railroads and stage lines between towns.

The book of maps is titled County Atlas of California. The subtitle is Showing All Towns, Postoffices, Railroads, County Roads, Stage Lines Carrying Passengers, Mail and Express, and Distances Between Points. Noted on the title page is “Corrected to December 1900.” While the maps are not detailed relative to geographical features such as rivers, they do show travel routes before the automobile became the dominate mode of transportation in the 20th century.

The following images have been reduced and enhanced for clarity. If there is map you would like with better resolution, please let me know.

Del Norte and Siskiyou Counties