Map Showing the Extent of Surveys in the Territory of Utah, 1856

This map represents one of the earliest detailed cartographic surveys of Utah, focusing on the region surrounding the eastern half of the Great Salt Lake. Produced under the direction of David Burr during his tenure as Surveyor General of Utah, it reflects both administrative purpose and geographic curiosity at a time when the territory was still being formally documented by the United States. The map carefully lays out the developing settlement pattern, prominently identifying key Mormon communities such as Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Provo, which appear as focal points within a sparsely populated but rapidly organizing landscape. Roads, natural features, and land divisions are depicted with precision, emphasizing the relationship between the settlements and the lake, as well as the surrounding valleys and terrain. As Burr’s final official cartographic work, the map carries both practical significance and historical weight, capturing a transitional moment when Utah was evolving from a remote frontier into a more structured and connected region.