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1904 Map of Baltimore

Name: 1904 Topographic Map of Baltimore
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1907
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1907

About this map

The dense urban grid of Baltimore City contrasts sharply with the surrounding rural districts in this 1902 survey of the Maryland landscape. The harbor is defined by the historic star-shaped fortifications of Fort McHenry and the industrial activity near Lazaretto Pt. To the north, the transition from city to country is marked by grand parks like Druid Hill Park and Clifton Park, while the rail corridors of the Northern Central RR and Maryland and Pennsylvania RR connect established settlements such as Cockeysville and Lutherville to the city center.

Industrial and institutional landmarks dot the hinterland, from the Ashland Furnace in the north to Notre Dame College near Tuxedo Park. The importance of water management for the growing metropolis is evident in the development of Loch Raven along Gunpowder Falls and the numerous reservoirs like Lake Montebello. The map also preserves the era's reliance on turnpikes, including the Reisterstown Turnpike and Liberty Turnpike, which served as the primary arteries for trade before the dominance of the automobile.