Books and Manuscripts

Rare Reconstruction-Era Map of Galveston, Texas

Cincinnatti (Ohio), 1869. Hand-colored lithographic map; printed by Strobridge & Co. 32 3/4 x 45 1/4 in. (832 x 1,149 mm). Map of Galveston, Texas by cartographer Jackson E. Labatt, showing the layout of the city broken up into individual lots and wards, and divided by street names and block numbers, with details of specific land owners, as well as listing the city's churches (including two of Galveston's African American churches), public buildings, hotels, the city railroad and railroad stations, and cotton presses. Expertly conserved and laid down on linen; evidence of creasing from when bound and folded; sheet lightly toned; contemporary manuscript notations in pencil, recording land sales in Galveston, center right; original boards included, titled in gilt "Map of Galveston". Taliaferro 339; not in Tooley or Phillips

Rare Reconstruction-era map of the city of Galveston, Texas, from the archive of 19th century New York attorney Thomas B. Hewitt. Hewitt represented numerous Texas-based land development and real estate firms of the period. According to Hewitt's papers, he represented H.M. Trueheart & Co., one of the oldest real estate firms in 19th century Texas. That firm was established in 1857 by John O. Trueheart, and in 1866 his son Henry M. Trueheart joined the firm. At this time the younger Trueheart was also Assessor and Collector for Galveston County, and he certified the accuracy of this map with his printed signature above the cartouche.

By 1869, the city of Galveston was undergoing a dramatic change in culture and structure. With Reconstruction in full swing, the port city attracted thousands of formerly enslaved people from all parts of Texas or other former Confederate states, and its population swelled. Like other coastal cities of the time it was stricken by outbreaks of yellow fever and cholera. Despite this, Galveston continued to flourish throughout Reconstruction, becoming the first Texas city to construct an opera house, telephone lines, and electric street lights. At the turn of the 20th century, it was one of the busiest Southern ports, second only to New Orleans.

Jackson E. Labatt (1844-1924) was a Jewish cartographer and veteran of the Confederate army, where he attained the rank of Captain, and was one of 16 children born to prominent Sephardic Jewish reformer, Abraham C. Labatt (1802-99).

We have only been able to locate two copies of this map, both in institutions: Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin, Texas, and the Rosenberg Library in Galveston, Texas. We cannot locate any copies ever having been offered at auction.