This April we are highlighting one of the many maps found in Special Collections. Over the past few years, we have undertaken a large project to catalog and re-house our map holdings, which has consequently brought many great maps to our attention. One of those is this month’s virtually displayed item, a view of Boston and the surrounding suburbs from 1905.
One of the most notable aspects of this map is its orientation, which has Boston as a center focal point but with the eastern part of the state in the foreground, and the western part of the state extending into the background. From this vantage point, the viewer can easily see all of the Harbor Islands, and the coastline south to Nantasket Beach and Hull and north to Lynn Beach and Nahant. In addition to identifying important landmarks and locations, the map provides a good deal of additional illustrative details. For example, look closely to see a depiction of Boston Light on Little Brewster Island and Fort Warren on Georges Island. What other details can you spot in the harbor?
As the map moves inland, rolling hills, rivers, ponds, and forests are shown, and there is even a tiny Wachusett Mountain in the far reaches. Beyond landforms, the map also highlights the growing populations of Boston’s suburbs, as represented by dense illustrations of buildings. Boston and Cambridge are the most densely populated, but the map shows development in the surrounding towns, out to Braintree, Norwood, Natick, and Concord. Railway lines and major thoroughfares are also shown, illustrating how the towns are linked and emphasizing the ease in which one can get both to and from Boston and around the Commonwealth.
The map was published by George H. Walker & Co., a prolific lithographer based in Boston. Our collection includes several maps published by Walker, dating from the 1880s into the early 1900s and showing Massachusetts towns and other New England states. Be sure to click on the above image to examine all of the careful details included in this map.
This month marks one year of sharing our collection with our readers through our “virtual display case.” We remain grateful for the opportunity to highlight items from our collection even though we continue to work from home. To revisit our past exhibited items, be sure to check out our tags for FY 2021 and FY 2020.
Elizabeth Roscio
Preservation Librarian
