WHEELER, G. Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian/ Topographical Atlas (crayon). Washington D. C., 1875. Imprimé en couleurs. Folio atlas with 9 loose colored printed maps, front paper cover only, with on the verso a printed label: “With the compliments of Geo. M. Wheeler, Captain of Engineers, U.S. Army.” Maps with some scattered foxing and marginal tears. Atlas illustrated with 9 maps depicting the American West in 1875, based on the topographical and geological surveys of G. Wheeler. Atlas documenting the progress of the Wheeler Survey (U.S. Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian) from 1875 to 1880. Only containing the 9 folding maps from the year 1875. One of the four great surveys of the American West (in addition to the King, Hayden, and Powell Surveys), the Wheeler Survey ran from 1869-1879 with primary goals that included: creating a better geographical map of the west; determining the geological, botanical, and zoological points of interest in the west; and mapping possible routes for roads and railroads. These reports were published as appendices to the Annual Report to the Army Chief of Engineers. George Wheeler and The Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian George Montague Wheeler was placed in charge of mapping the western United States for the US Army Corps of Engineers at the age of 26. With a team comprising several dozen army officers and civilian scientists, he would embark on his first early expeditions in 1869 and 1871. Public support for the surveys would blossom following the publication of William Bell and Timothy O'Sullivan's photographs of the west, and Congress would formally appropriate funds for mapping the territories west of the 100th meridian in 1872. The US Army Chief of Engineers, Andrew Humphreys, had initially conceived of a survey that not only focused on geographical mapping but also understanding the economic resources and scientific interest of the western American possessions. He described the purpose of the surveys as: [to] obtain correct topographical knowledge of . . . Everything relating to the physical features of the country, the numbers, habits, and dispositions of the Indians who may live in this section, the selection of such sites as may be used for future military operation or occupation, and the facilities offered for making rail or common roads . . . The mineral resources that may be discovered . . . The influence of climate, the geological formations, character and kinds of vegetation, its probable value for agricultural and grazing purposes, relative proportions of woodland, water, and other qualities which affect its value. . . Such an extensive survey of such an expansive area would take a long time to complete, but Wheeler progressed quickly. By 1879, large portions of Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico, along with parts of California, would be mapped. In that year, however, Congress would decide that having four overlapping surveys of the west, both military and civilian, was inefficient. The surveys would then be agglomerated into the newly formed USGS, although Wheeler would publish several later reports based on previously collected data.