Where, What and When: Historic Maps of Old Chicago
January 7, 2009
Maps help us figure out where we are going and how to get there. But historical maps tell us where we've been. South Loop geographer and historian Dennis McClendon of Chicago CartoGraphics said in a January, 2008 East-West University press release, "Historic maps of Chicago tell intriguing stories about the city's origins and development. Vanished creeks and woods, big projects never accomplished, forgotten ethnic groups and neighborhoods, mysterious subdivisions, abandoned industrial areas, vice districts and world's fairs, ghosts of railroad stations and streetcar lines and freight tunnels, are all reminders of a constantly changing Loop.”
There are hundreds of historic maps of Chicago available on the Internet and many have interactive capability to zoom in for a detailed view. For example, the above Elmira Advertiser map showing the 1871 Burnt District is available, along with many others, for close examination at The David Rumsey Historical Map Collection.
Some of the available maps are actually contemporary and topically focused. Jazz Age Chicago has several area and venue specific maps for inspection on the Bright-Light Districts page and Mario Gomes' Al Capone Museum features two Levee District maps compiled by Bryan Lloyd.
I am partial to the old maps because of their position as a primary source and because they are often quite artistic. My favorite historic map of Chicago was printed in 1931 and is more than a map - it's a cautionary tale: Gangland Map, "A Map of Chicago's gangland from authentic sources: designed to inculcate the most important principles of piety and virtue in young persons, and graphically portray the evils and sin of large cities." (UIUC)
Sing a Song of Gangsters
A Pocket Full of Dough
Four and Twenty Bottles
Make a Case You Know
Note "King Al." To zoom in on all the wonderful details of the map click here.
For more historical Chicago maps:
Encyclopedia of Chicago
From: University of Chicago Library
Chicago in the 1890s
Chicago 1900-1914
Social Scientists Map Chicago
Map Links Page
General Chicago Area Maps (including ward maps)
Historical Maps Online: University Library (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign)
Chicago Street Name Changes
Historical Maps of Chicago
From Adams Street, Looking South
Places Online
Using Historical Maps
Chicago Growth 1850-1990: Maps by Dennis McClendon
Photo Credits:
Wikipedia Commons, Historical maps of Chicago
Gangland Map from University of Texas at Austin. (Also available at UIUC Library)
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8 comments:
Those maps are amazing! I love old maps and my youngest just started a unit in school on them, so I am trying not to overwhelm her with info and me gushing about old maps. So I was thrilled to see your post. Have Stumbled your blog, you are one of my faves! :)
The Gangland map is pretty hilarious. Wouldn't a map guide people into trouble rather than keep them out of it?
Lidian: Some of the maps are amaking. As I said, my favorite is the Gangland. It really is quite beautiful in an off-beat sort of way. Thanks for the Stumble. I've tried using Stumble a couple of times, but can't seem to get the hang of their tool bar. Gave up. As always, a pleasure to have you stop by.
Evangeline: Glad you liked the map! I sort of wonder at its purpose, too. Thanks so much for stopping by!
great stuff, awesome maps. I love old maps.
I completely agree with you. They can be extremely interesting. Thanks for stopping!
Hello Sharon! I've been lurking around here a few months, and am always excited when I see a new post on Google Reader from your site. I'm from Oregon, and only moved to Illinois a couple of years ago, so it's neat to learn about some of Chicago's history through the stuff you post here, particularly the things that are more obscure.
This gangland map is fantastic. Do you know if it's available for purchase anywhere?
Look forward to your next post! :)
Aesha, welcome! Thank you for your kind comments and for being a regular reader. I did a little checking about the map. The Encyclopedia of Chicago indicates that reproductions of the map are available, but, of course, doesn't say where. I did a little looking around but haven't found it yet. Anyone out there seen it for sale? If I run across it, I'll post the info. Thanks again, Aesha. So glad you find my little blog useful.
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