Color print, mounted on linen. This map was prepared by Washington Caruthers Kerr (1827-1885), state geologist, with the assistance of William Cain (1847-1930), later professor of mathematics and engineering at the University of North Carolina, for the North Carolina State Board of Agriculture. The map was the result of extensive gathering of information by Kerr for more than fifteen years prior to its publication and embodies his first hand observations made while traveling to every part of the state in his work as state geologist. Kerr based the map on surveys and charts of the U.S. Geological Survey and also incorporated information from Post Route maps and railroad maps and surveys so that this map contains more detailed information about cities and towns, roads, and railroads than previous maps of the state. Arnold Guyot, Kerr's professor of Geology and Physical Geography at Princeton, also contributed information about the mountain region of the state. Counties are delineated and named, and the map provides correct boundaries for some of the counties for the first time. Rivers and streams are identified and other topographical features are shown. An alphabetical list of the towns in the state having a population of 500 people or more, notes containing statistical information about the state, and an alphabetical list of the railroads in North Carolina appear in the lower left of the map.
North Carolina Maps is made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of North Carolina.