MapServer - Online Topo Maps and Photos. Past Forward: Mannahatta. I may have mentioned my love of historic urban maps. If not, then I will plead guilty here, and offer up Strange Maps as a vital modern contribution to our historical heritage, and let slip fact that I've read most of the written works of Mark Monmonier. As objects, maps are fascinating artifacts. Even more interesting is using these remnants of history to attempt to visualize and recreate a baseline, whether that be social, ecological, or other. A small past project started to delve into this in Portland - looking at maps of historical and 'disappeared' streams to evokes some of the cities hidden hydrology.
The work of Dr. :: 1782 British Headquarters Map Detail - image via the New Yorker :: 1819 Farm Maps - image via the New Yorker Mannahatta, which is derived from the indigenous Lenni Lenape tribal name for the land, seemed historically to burst with diversity. :: Mannahatta, circa 1609 (with current landform outline) - image via the New Yorker. The Welikia Project. Manhattan.jpg (Image JPEG, 728x596 pixels) TopoPlace Map-Models. Topographical Map Of The City and County Of New - York, and the adjacent Country: With Views in the border of the principal Buildings and interesting Scenery of the Island. Published By J.H. Colton & Co. No. 4 Spruce St. New-York. 1836. Engraved & Printed.
Manhattan_topo_1880.jpg (Image JPEG, 2040x6336 pixels) Map05lg.png (Image PNG, 2000x842 pixels)