OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Early Maps-Western Reserve
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Darlene E. Kelley
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374
June 29, 1999
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Historical Collections of Ohio
The Kelley Family Collections
Newspaper article, Plains Dealer
compiled by S.J. Kelley-- 1925
And Then They Went West
by Darlene E. Kelley  1998
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Early Maps of the Western Reserve Region--

Two Centuries Ago--

     It is not generally known that the territory surrounding Cleveland
was traversed, explored and hunted, 200 years ago. Maps of the lake and
its shores then printed in Eastern cities, show all the Great Lakes from
the St Lawrence to Duluth. Fifty years before the arrival of Moses
Cleaveland, maps detailed the south shore of Lake Erie from Buffalo to
Toledo, or from end to end.  They give Erie's correct outline.  On its
north are the Detroit River and Lake St.Clair, Pelee Island and Long
Point.Canada. Its southern shore's southwest slant is well defined.
Cleveland's Bay is outlined. To the west is Sandusky Bay and River and
further on the Maumee and its wide harbor. These maps bespeak careful
exploration by the hunters and backwoodsmen, who roamed northern Ohio as
far as Fort Detroit, long before the settling of Cleveland.
     Bellin's Map, issued in 1744, is typical of the period. It shows
the five Great Lakes with wonderful accuracy, their inlets and outlets
and the Niagra River. The south shore, later the Western Reserve, is
insribed : "This region was inhabited by the Eries, or Cat Nation, who
have been destroyed by the Iroquois." So accurate is this map it seems
impossible it could have been made without surveys.

Evans Map--

     Ten years later, in 1775, a map by Evans was published.  Its
details of the south shore of the lakes show Erie (Presque Isle) and the
Fort, the Grand River, the Chargrin, the "Mineami" (Maumee) River. The
lay of all land along shore is given. The lay of all land along shore is
within the Western Reserve, with Highlands, ponds, levels, and swamps.
Its outstanding feature is the location of different Indian Towns and
tribes.  The Cuyahoga, with the additional name "River Muddy," winds
south and branches correctly to the east. On it are encamped the Tawas
and the Mingos.  The Portage crosses to the branching Tuscarawas, where
is located the tribe's town.  Mohicans and White Woman's towns are in
the fork of the Walhonding and the Muskingum.  Coal lands are on the
Tuscarawas and salt springs near Mahoning.  The Wyandots camp east of
the Sandusky River, opposite the fort.  Farther west they have been
allotted large hunting grounds by the Confederates, the new Indian
League. Many of the Put-in-Bay islands are on the map.  The rivers
follow their course almost as today. Yet this map could be bought 40
years before Moses Cleaveland started up the Cuyahoga River on July
22,1796, on what have believed was a pioneer expedition.
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