(Austin Topolobampo Pacific Route). A Bill To Survey The Austin Topolovampo Pacific Route.

OWEN, A. K. [CIVIL ENGINEER]

Publication: N P Government Printing Office, 1877, Washington

This string-tied pamphlet is "H.R. 112" — a House Resolution from the 1st Session of the 45th Congress. In the 1870's civil engineer Albert Kimsey Owen (1847-1916) — raised in Robert Owen's New Harmony, Indiana Utopian community, though unrelated to Robert — took part in a U.S. Army expedition surveying railroad routes. He determined that Topolobampo Bay in Mexico would make the perfect locale for a new co-operative community and that a U.S.-built railroad running through Texas into Mexico would help unite the great American industrial cities with the Pacific. H.R. 112 proposes that this route be surveyed and the accompanying reports present in great detail the rationale for such a railroad. Owen boldly inscribes and signs this copy at top of first leaf to "Prof. WHB Thomas / Compliments / A.K. Owen." Several boldly penciled corrections on the text itself appear to be in Owen's hand as well. This pamphlet still bears the foldout map with which it was issued, 15 3/4" X 11¼", a U.S. map captioned "AUSTIN — TOPOLOBAMPO PACIFIC. / A.K. Owen, C.E. Projector." Apparently Owen's Utopian experiment was at least begun — a newsletter in English published there in 1889 notes on its masthead:"Collective ownership and management for public utilities and conveniences - the community responsible for the health, usefulness, individuality and security of each. - Albert K. Owen." A fascinating glimpse into a Pacific railroad route and yet another fizzled Utopian experiment — and a choice presentation copy from its creator. Very good copy with one hole punch in the left side margin not affecting the print.

Inventory Number: 52003