1635 | Blaeu, Willem Janzoon

This richly decorated map is based on the 1614 explorations of Adrian Block. Published by William Blaeu, the leading Dutch map and globe maker of the era. Oriented with west at the top, it is the first printed map to show detailed information about the interior of New England. Its artistry reflects both cartographic precision and cultural imagination.

1778 | Le Rouge, George-Louis

This French chart of Boston Bay highlights Boston and nearby towns, many shown pictorially. The peninsula is shaded in blocks of color, while the harbor features navigational details, including islands, shoals, soundings, and channels. Based on British surveys, it was published by Le Rouge, who issues numerous maps and city plans for America between 1755 and 1778.

1764 | Bellin, Jacques Nicolas

This is the earliest detailed plan of the city of Boston published in France. Beautifully engraved and colored in the best style of French manuscript and printed maps, it shows streets, houses, public buildings, wharves, Beacon Hill, the Common, and other points of interest. Bellin, hydrographer to the King of France, published many fine maps of America under the auspices of the French Marine Office. This plan of Boston Harbor was probably copied from an English survey for use during the French and Indian War.

1700 | Sanson, Nicholas

Of particular interest on this map of eastern North America is the inset of Boston Harbor. Although too simple to be used by navigators, the chart is important because it represents only the third printed depiction of the harbor. Considering that no other ports were depicted provided testimony to the relative importance of Boston among other Atlantic ports during the late 17th century. Based on an English map published about 1695, this fine engraving depicts North America from Labrador south to Florida and as far west as the Mississippi River. Although the map was published separately, it was also inserted into several atlases including Le Neptune Francois, primarily a collection of French sailing charts.

1801 | B & J Loring, Carleton, Osgood

While this is the earliest official state map of Massachusetts, its importance far exceeds its local nterest. It was also one of the earliest state maps published after American independence and its compilation provided a model for other states. Carleton, a highly respected Boston mathematician and geographer, proposed this project in 1791. The state legislature sanctioned his proposal on June 18, 1794 when it passed a resolution directing the selectmen of every town to prepare a survey. By June 1795, 265 town maps had been submitted, from which Carleton compiled a single comprehensive map of the state.

1847 - Anonymous, US Coast Survey

Published the same year as Edmund Blunt’s small chart of Boston Harbor, this large-scale chart draws on recent U.S. Coast Survey work to provide greater detail of the inner harbor. It shows the many wharves of East Boston, Charlestown, Boston Proper, and South Boston, along with extensive soundings and four cross sections marking the deepest channel.

1859 | F. A. Baker, Walling, Henry F.

Created by Boston engineer and surveyor Henry Walling, this detailed map of Boston and its surroundings show town boundaries, property owners, roads, railroads, and topography. Information included in these maps was obtained from traveling along existing roads; direction was determined by the surveyors compass and distance by the odometer wheel.

1883 | Bromley, George W., G. W. Bromley & Co.

Boston, after the reclamation of Back Bay was completed, is depicted on this outline map. It served as a graphic index to the more detailed atlas pages that comprised the first edition of this urban real estate atlas. Boston real estate atlases, which were published by the Bromley firm from 1883-1938, provide an unrivaled source of information about the internal structure and development of the city during a period of tremendous urban growth.

1927 | Walker Lithograph & Publishing Co., Walker, George H.

This early 20th-century street map of Boston and its suburbs is beautifully colored, with yellow marking municipal boundaries and green highlighting parks and public reservations. Extending from Winchester in the north to Quincy in the south, it also anticipates the landfill project that created today’s Boston Logan airport on the East Boston flats.

1781 | Callender, George, Des Barres, Joseph F.W.

This survey of Boston Harbor, first published in 1775 in Des Barres's Atlantic Neptune, was the pre-eminent chart of the harbor produced in the 18th century. It was used by the Royal Navy during the American Revolution, and long after that conflict by American and English merchants. The chart was based on surveys by George Callendar, master of His Majesty's Ship Romney, stationed in Boston Harbor in 1769.

1868 | Longfellow, Henry W.

This very delicately colored plan of Rowe's Wharf lays out the square footage of the structures and surrounding area existing at the time. This plan anticipates the construction of Atlantic Avenue, which would eventually cut through the “brick stores” and “wooden shed” delineated on this manuscript drawing. Longfellow was a draftsman at Boston City Hall in the 1860s and then worked with the lithographic firm of A. Meisel from 1871-1874.

1778 | Page, Thomas Hyde, William Faden

Page, an English military engineer who served as aide de campe to General Howe during the action, prepared this detailed plan of the Battle of Bunker Hill. It is the best known and most commonly reproduced plan of the battle. Warren's redoubt, fences, and hedgerows are shown in great detail, as well as the lines of march of attacking forces, British ships, and the Corps Hill battery with lines of fire. The position of British troops late in the action is depicted on a separate overlay which accompanies the map.

1775 | Jefferys, Thomas

This map and battle plan immortalized what came to be known as the Battle of Bunker Hill. This detailed plan was published in London only five days after news of the battle reaching England. The alphabetic key identifies British regiments and ships and narrates their actions. The plan also shows earthworks held by the Colonial troops.