Smith's Railroad, Steamboat & Stage Route Map of New England, New-York and Canada
PublisherPublished by
John Calvin Smith
(American, 1810 - 1890)
Date1858
MediumEngraving; black printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper, in cardboard covers
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 21 1/4 x 26 7/8in. (54 x 68.3cm)
Sheet (height x width): 21 7/8 x 27 3/8in. (55.6 x 69.5cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1988.231.0
DescriptionPocket map of the New England states, New York, and Upper and Lower Canada (present-day Ontario and Quebec), depicting the transportation options of the area. None of the routes shown are named. Physical features depicted include elevation, conveyed with hachure marks; rivers; and lakes. On the right side are inset maps of the greater Boston and New York City areas. Around the map are vignettes showing Niagara Falls, Notch White Mountains, Mont Morenci Falls, ships at sea, and the view from Mount Holyoke.
Label TextJohn Calvin Smith was a prolific map publisher based in New York City. His 1858 map of the railroad, steamboat, and stage coach network of New England shows the extensive transportation network available to travelers on the brink of the Civil War. While steamboats linked most major ports and railroads provided connections to most major cities, some smaller towns still relied on stage coaches as an important means of local transportation. It is curious that Smith's map does not include the names of any of the railroads or steamship lines depicted. Perhaps the names of the specific lines was not considered as important as the names of the towns and cities that they served.
NotesCartographic Note: Scale: 1 inch equals about 25 milesStatus
Not on view
