Rare Old Map of South Carolina by Colton, 1859: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Sumter

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of American history with this exquisite map of South Carolina, crafted in 1859 by the renowned mapmaker J. H. Colton. This piece hails from a time when the United States was still in its infancy, and the nation's landscape was largely uncharted and ever-changing. As such, this map serves as a fascinating window into the past, providing a snapshot of South Carolina as it was over 150 years ago.

At the time this map was made, many of the settlements we know today were yet to be founded, and many of the names and borders have likely changed. This map features the five most notable settlements in South Carolina in 1855: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Sumter. Each of these locations carries its own unique history and significance, which is beautifully captured in the intricate details of this map.

J. H. Colton, the mapmaker behind this piece, is generally considered the finest American mapmaker of his era. His work is characterized by its meticulous attention to detail and its high level of accuracy. This map of South Carolina is no exception, showcasing Colton's unparalleled skill and dedication to his craft.

This map is more than just a piece of history; it's a testament to the early days of American exploration and the pioneering spirit that defined this era. It's a tribute to the towns and cities that have shaped South Carolina into the state it is today. And most importantly, it's a work of art, meticulously crafted by one of the most esteemed mapmakers of the 19th century. This is more than just a map - it's a piece of American history, and a testament to the timeless art of cartography.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a lover of maps, or simply someone who appreciates fine craftsmanship, this map of South Carolina by J. H. Colton is a must-have. It's not just a map, but a journey back in time, offering a glimpse into the past that is as fascinating as it is educational. So why not take a step back in time and explore the history of South Carolina as it was in 1859? With this map, the past is never far away.

Notable Settlements in South Carolina

1. Charleston (1670): Originally named Charles Town, it was one of the earliest and most significant colonial cities, renowned for its rich history, well-preserved architecture, and distinguished restaurants.
2. Columbia (1786): Known as the "Capital of Southern Hospitality," Columbia was named for Christopher Columbus and became the state capital in 1786.
3. Greenville (1831): Named after Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, Greenville became a major cotton market and industrial center.
4. Spartanburg (1831): Known as the "Hub City" due to its railroad connections, Spartanburg was a major textile manufacturing center.
5. Sumter (1845): Named after General Thomas Sumter, the "Fighting Gamecock" of the American Revolutionary War.
6. Beaufort (1711): The second oldest city in South Carolina, known for its scenic location and historic architecture.
7. Georgetown (1729): Once one of the wealthiest colonies in the world, known for its rice plantations.
8. Camden (1733): The oldest inland city in South Carolina, it played key roles in the Revolutionary War.
9. Orangeburg (1704): Named after William IV, Prince of Orange, it was an important trading center and route to the western territories.
10. Anderson (1826): Known as "The Electric City" for being the first city in the United States with a continuous supply of electric power.
11. Aiken (1835): Known for its health resort, it attracted wealthy Northerners who built winter homes here.
12. Rock Hill (1852): Known for its textile mills and as the largest city in York County.
13. Abbeville (1785): Known as the "Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy."
14. Lexington (1735): Known for its rich soil, it was an important agricultural area.
15. Chester (1785): Known for its historic downtown area and the Chester County Courthouse, designed by Robert Mills.
16. Newberry (1789): Known for Newberry College and the Newberry Opera House.
17. Union (1791): Known for its historic homes and the Battle of Blackstock's Farm during the Revolutionary War.
18. Gaffney (1804): Known for the Gaffney Peachoid, a water tower shaped like a peach.
19. Laurens (1785): Known for its historic downtown area and the Laurens County Courthouse.
20. Clinton (1852): Known for being the home of Presbyterian College.

Native American Tribes in South Carolina

• Cherokee: The largest tribe in South Carolina, they occupied the mountainous region of the state.
• Catawba: Known as "River People," they resided along the Catawba River.
• Yamasee: A multiethnic confederation, they were involved in the Yamasee War against British colonists.
• Congaree: A small tribe, they lived along the Congaree River.

Notable Natural Features

• Blue Ridge Mountains: Part of the Appalachian Mountains, it's known for its scenic beauty.
• Congaree River: Formed by the confluence of the Saluda and Broad Rivers near Columbia.
• Santee River: Known for its surrounding swamp, a unique ecosystem.
• Table Rock State Park: Known for its towering mountain and challenging hiking trails.
• Lake Marion: The largest lake in South Carolina, known for its fishing and boating.

Historical Events (1810-1859)

• Nullification Crisis (1832-1833): A major event in South Carolina's history, it involved a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government.
• The Burning of Columbia (1865): Towards the end of the Civil War, much of Columbia was destroyed by fire.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 70in (178cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.