Amazing Old Birds-Eye Views Of Boston

briv · 07-24-2006, 07:55 PM

I was cleaning out hard drive and came across these old hand-drawn aerial maps of Boston I downloaded a long time ago. I forget where I got them from, so I cant post a link. I believe they came from the Library Of Congress site, but Im not sure.

Anyway, they're really beautiful, and the level of detail is absolutely amazing. They also serve as a fairly accurate illustration of Boston at their respective times. Just thought I'd share them here. If anyone is interested in the files just PM or email me and I'll gmail them to you.

When I find time I'll take more captures and post them in this thread to a few comparisons.

Boston 1870:

1877:

1899:

1905, my favorite:

Look at the level of detail in these:

More to come...

castevens · 07-24-2006, 08:00 PM

Sweet!! I love 'em!

Ron Newman · 07-24-2006, 08:14 PM

Very cool. Do you know whether photographs from balloons were used to help draw these?

briv · 07-24-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Newman

Very cool. Do you know whether photographs from balloons were used to help draw these?

Im not positive, but I would think so. Theyre just way too accurate.

Here's a comparison between 1899 and 2006 of the area that includes parts of the Backbay, South End, and where the Pike now runs past Pru Center:

Ron Newman · 07-24-2006, 08:57 PM

Which reminds us of two things:

- the Mass Pike 'gash' was always there; it just used to be railroad tracks rather than a highway

- Much of Boylston Street had buildings on only one side. We're still trying to correct that legacy today.

Joe_Schmoe · 07-25-2006, 08:07 AM

I have that first Birds-eye view as a framed color poster. It's hanging in my living room. The detail is amazing, it's fun to try and locate currently existing buildings on it, or see what was in a certain location at that time.

KentXie · 07-25-2006, 08:18 AM

Wow Boston was so dense back then. Look at the street layout. It's so much more confusing back then than now.

type001 · 08-09-2006, 03:27 PM

Magnificent pictures!

DarkFenX is right. It certainly seems a lot more dense and confusing than it is now. I think that having tall buildings thrown into the mix helps one to get his/her barings down. It's amazing how anyone got around then with those dense cowpaths.

RFJBoston · 07-24-2008, 01:42 PM

These works are AMAZING! does anyone know where I can purchase some of these prints/duplicates? thanks!

tobyjug · 07-24-2008, 02:29 PM

[quote=Ron Newman;23754]Which reminds us of two things:

- the Mass Pike 'gash' was always there; it just used to be railroad tracks rather than a highway]

Since much cargo moved out of the very busy port by steam trains, the coal particulates must have been pretty bad at Ned's house. Add all the horse dung in the streets, and its little wonder people got away in the summer.

07-24-2006, 07:55 PM	#1
briv Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 1,306	Amazing Old Birds-Eye Views Of Boston I was cleaning out hard drive and came across these old hand-drawn aerial maps of Boston I downloaded a long time ago. I forget where I got them from, so I cant post a link. I believe they came from the Library Of Congress site, but Im not sure. Anyway, they're really beautiful, and the level of detail is absolutely amazing. They also serve as a fairly accurate illustration of Boston at their respective times. Just thought I'd share them here. If anyone is interested in the files just PM or email me and I'll gmail them to you. When I find time I'll take more captures and post them in this thread to a few comparisons. Boston 1870: 1877: 1899: 1905, my favorite: Look at the level of detail in these: More to come...

07-24-2008, 01:42 PM	#9
RFJBoston Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	Re: Amazing Old Birds-Eye Views Of Boston These works are AMAZING! does anyone know where I can purchase some of these prints/duplicates? thanks!

07-24-2008, 02:29 PM	#10
tobyjug Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: downtown Posts: 1,801	Re: Amazing Old Birds-Eye Views Of Boston [quote=Ron Newman;23754]Which reminds us of two things: - the Mass Pike 'gash' was always there; it just used to be railroad tracks rather than a highway] Since much cargo moved out of the very busy port by steam trains, the coal particulates must have been pretty bad at Ned's house. Add all the horse dung in the streets, and its little wonder people got away in the summer.

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07-24-2006, 08:00 PM	#2
castevens Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 1,041	Sweet!! I love 'em!

07-24-2006, 08:14 PM	#3
Ron Newman Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Davis Square, Somerville, MA Posts: 5,274	Very cool. Do you know whether photographs from balloons were used to help draw these?

07-24-2006, 08:57 PM	#5
Ron Newman Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Davis Square, Somerville, MA Posts: 5,274	Which reminds us of two things: - the Mass Pike 'gash' was always there; it just used to be railroad tracks rather than a highway - Much of Boylston Street had buildings on only one side. We're still trying to correct that legacy today.

07-25-2006, 08:07 AM	#6
Joe_Schmoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 316	I have that first Birds-eye view as a framed color poster. It's hanging in my living room. The detail is amazing, it's fun to try and locate currently existing buildings on it, or see what was in a certain location at that time.

07-25-2006, 08:18 AM	#7
KentXie Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Charlestown Posts: 1,480	Wow Boston was so dense back then. Look at the street layout. It's so much more confusing back then than now.

08-09-2006, 03:27 PM	#8
type001 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winchester Posts: 322	Magnificent pictures! DarkFenX is right. It certainly seems a lot more dense and confusing than it is now. I think that having tall buildings thrown into the mix helps one to get his/her barings down. It's amazing how anyone got around then with those dense cowpaths.