Post Route Map of the States of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and parts of New York and Maine
MakerDesigned by
William L. Nicholson
(Scottish-American, born 1824)
DraftsmanDrawn by
Paul Goepel
PrintmakerEngraved by
David McClelland
(American, 1821 - 1896)
PublisherPublished by
United States Post Office Department
(American, 1792 - 1971)
Date1882
MediumEngraving; black printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper, lined with linen, in leatherette covers
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 30 x 38 7/8in. (76.2 x 98.7cm)
Sheet (height x width): 30 1/2 x 40 3/4in. (77.5 x 103.5cm)
Mount (height x width): 30 1/2 x 40 3/4in. (77.5 x 103.5cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of Arthur J. Warmsley
Object number1990.184.0
DescriptionPocket map of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island (missing the Vermont and New Hampshire portion), and the eastern part of New York state. The map primarily depicts the postal routes in the region using color coding to indicate the frequency of delivery and post offices marked with open circles. Railroads are also prominent and include the New York, New Haven and Hartford; Boston and New York Air Line; Danbury and Norwalk; Shepaug; Housatonic; New Haven and Northampton; Connecticut Valley; and New York and New England. Physical features depicted include rivers and lakes. On the right side is an inset map of Boston. In the top right is a distance table and at the bottom is a table of general statistics about the six New England states and New York, including area, population, post offices, railroads and canals.
Label TextFrom the 1860s to the early 1880s, Walter L. Nicholson was the topographer for the United States Post Office, responsible for designing maps of the postal routes throughout the country. This 1882 map shows the routes serving Connecticut and other parts of New England, except for Maine. The prominence of the railroads on the map is due to the fact that all railroads were designated postal routes, greatly facilitating the delivery of mail during the nineteenth century. As shown on this map, service ranged from once a week to six times a week--every day except for Sundays.
NotesCartographic Note: Scale: 1 inch equals 6 milesStatus
Not on view
Kellogg & Bulkeley
1910-1915