The
panoramic map was a popular cartographic form used to depict U.S.
and Canadian cities and towns during the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries (1847 to 1929.) Known also as bird's-eye views,
perspective maps, and aero views, panoramic maps are nonphotographic
representations of cities portrayed as if viewed from above at
an oblique angle. Although not generally drawn to scale, they
show street patterns, individual buildings, and major landscape
features in perspective.
Panoramic
maps were frequently commissioned by a chamber of commerce or
real estate agency and were often subscribed to by various members
of the rising middle class who displayed views of their hometown
with great civic pride. These maps reveal much about the great
contrasts and contradictions of the industrial age and the progressive
era.
Panoramic
maps graphically depict the vibrant life of a city. Harbors are
shown choked with ships, often to the extent of constituting hazards
to navigation. Trains speed along railroad tracks, at times on
the same roadbed with locomotives and cars headed in the opposite
direction. People and horsedrawn carriages fill the streets, and
smoke belches from the stacks of industrial plants. Urban and
industrial development in post-Civil War America is vividly portrayed
in the maps.
Preparation
of panoramic maps involved a vast amount of painstakingly detailed
labor. For each project a frame or projection was developed, showing
in perspective the pattern of streets. The artist then walked
in the street, sketching buildings, trees, and other features
to present a complete and accurate landscape as though seen from
an elevation of 2,000 to 3,000 feet.
Each
image on every CD is a super high resolution scan of the original
map and software that is included in each CD lets you view the
map in any degree of detail you want - anything from postcard
sized all the way to wall sized - complete with features to allow
you to manipulate the map in a wide variety of ways - even printing
out the entire map or just a portion of it to your printer in
any size you want.
Available
Map CDs
(Each CD is just $9.97
Collections are discounted.)
Click on a link below to view a listing of all maps included
on this CD and to place an order.
Here is an
example of the level of enlargement that is possible with this
special viewing program. It clearly shows how it goes from postcard
sized to incredible detail.
(Smallest size of this image)
(Small portion enlarged 2 times)
(Small portion enlarged 4 times)
(Small portion enlarged 5 times - this enlargement
represents the full
original size of the map when printed at full scale.)
As
you can see from the series of images, each map contains a wealth
of interesting details to explore.
A panoramic
map cd is great for the entire family. Here are just a few possibilities
- The CD
is a great way to study the history of your town or city with
your children.
- Imagine
being able to look at a map this old and being able to find
your childhood (or even current) house.
- And what
a great gift for the family historian or geneaologist to be
able to see the old neighborhoods exactly as they were.
- And imagine
the thrill of being able to share this map CD as a gift to your
relatives to bring back memories of the good old days and remember
old friends in their childhood neighborhood.
Here are the
computer requirements to run and operate this CD. You must have
a PC running Windows software and a web browser. Additionally,
you will need to install the special viewing software which is
included on your CD.
Available
Map CDs
(Each CD is just $9.97
Collections are discounted.)
Click on a link below to view a listing of all maps included
on this CD and to place an order.
