Antique maps of Texas are one of the most popular of all the antique state maps, especially old maps that show Texas as an independent republic, from 1836 to 1845. As with many of the western and southwestern states, Texas in the mid-19th century was in a time of great transition and opening up of territory. Maps as late as the 1860s show many unxplored and undeveloped regions, with fascinating notations about explorer routes and new discoveries.