Old Map of Coahuila by García y Cubas, 1897: Saltillo, Torreón, Monclova, Railroads, Rio Grande

Step into the rich tapestry of late 19th-century Mexico with "Coahuila," the original title of this masterful 1897 map crafted by the celebrated cartographer Antonio García y Cubas. Commissioned during a transformative era in Mexican history, this map stands as both a geographical record and a cultural artifact, reflecting the ambitions of a nation intent on defining its identity and territorial integrity. García y Cubas’s meticulous attention to detail is immediately evident, from the elegant silver border that frames the map to the finely rendered symbols that distinguish state capitals, district head towns, villages, haciendas, and ranchos. Every inch of this cartographic treasure invites the viewer to explore Coahuila as it stood at the threshold of modernity.

Antonio García y Cubas, whose influence on Mexican cartography cannot be overstated, was renowned for his dedication to accuracy and artistry. His works, including this map, were published as part of the monumental "Atlas Geográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos," a collection that sought to capture the essence of each Mexican state with unprecedented precision. García y Cubas’s maps were more than mere navigational tools; they were statements of national pride and progress, designed to foster a deeper understanding of Mexico’s diverse landscapes and peoples. His legacy endures in the clarity, elegance, and exhaustive detail that characterize his cartographic oeuvre.

The map of Coahuila is a visual symphony of both political and physical geography. Administrative boundaries are crisply delineated, offering a clear view of the state’s districts and municipalities as they existed at the close of the 19th century. The map’s legend employs a sophisticated system of symbols to mark the locations of settlements, from bustling urban centers to remote ranchos and sprawling haciendas. This granular depiction of human habitation provides invaluable insight into the region’s social and economic fabric, capturing the rhythms of daily life in an era defined by agricultural and ranching pursuits.

Beyond its political divisions, the map reveals the grandeur of Coahuila’s natural features. Mountain ranges undulate across the landscape, rendered with a keen eye for topographical relief, while rivers—including the mighty Rio Bravo del Norte (Rio Grande)—trace sinuous paths along the state’s borders. These physical features not only shaped the livelihoods of Coahuila’s inhabitants but also played a crucial role in defining the region’s historical and cultural identity. The careful depiction of these elements speaks to García y Cubas’s dual commitment to scientific accuracy and artistic expression.

A testament to the era’s technological progress, the map prominently displays three major railroad lines threading through Coahuila, underscoring the transformative impact of rail infrastructure on regional development. These routes connected key settlements such as Saltillo, Torreón, Monclova, and Piedras Negras, facilitating commerce, migration, and communication. The inclusion of these railroads, alongside meticulously charted roads and pathways, positions the map as a document of both tradition and change—a bridge between the pastoral landscapes of the past and the dynamic, interconnected future that awaited Coahuila at the dawn of the 20th century.

Cities and towns on this map

• Saltillo
• Torreón
• Monclova
• Piedras Negras (Ciudad Porfirio Díaz on the map)
• Parras (Parras de la Fuente)
• Cuatro Ciénegas
• Sabinas
• San Pedro (San Pedro de las Colonias)
• Matamoros
• Múzquiz (Santa Rosa de Múzquiz on the map)
• Nava
• Arteaga
• Ramos Arizpe
• Viesca
• Zaragoza
• Allende
• San Buenaventura
• Candela
• General Cepeda
• Guerrero

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Clearly marked railroad lines traversing the state
• Detailed representation of mountain ranges and topographical relief
• Rivers and water bodies prominently depicted, including the Rio Bravo del Norte (Rio Grande), which forms the northern border with the United States
• Distinctive symbols indicating haciendas and ranchos, reflecting the agricultural and ranching economy of the region
• Administrative boundaries clearly delineating districts within Coahuila
• Roads and transportation routes connecting various settlements and regions

Historical and design context

• Original title: Coahuila, created in 1897
• Crafted by Antonio García y Cubas, a renowned 19th-century Mexican cartographer known for his significant contributions to Mexican geography and cartography
• Published by Cadena y Ca and lithographed by Montauriol Sucesores
• Part of the Atlas Geográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, a comprehensive atlas of Mexican states and territories
• Notable for its detailed and clear cartographic style, with a distinctive silver border enhancing its aesthetic appeal
• Provides valuable historical insight into the administrative and infrastructural development of Coahuila at the end of the 19th century
• Highlights the importance of rail infrastructure in the economic and social development of the region at the time

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 every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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 collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

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

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my 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 order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

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

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

Almost all of my maps and art prints 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.