1903 Map of Boston

About this map

Boston Harbor and its surrounding townships appear here at a moment of dense urban expansion and early environmental preservation. The cityscape is defined by its industrial rail network, including the Boston and Maine RR and the Fitchburg Division, which link the central hub to outlying settlements like Wakefield and Waltham. Notable public spaces and landmarks are meticulously detailed, from the cultural grounds of Tufts College and the Arnold Arboretum to the designed landscapes of the Back Bay Fens and Middlesex Fells. Along the waterfront, maritime and military interests are prominent at Ft. Independence and the U.S. Marine Hospital. This survey documents the historic shoreline and neighborhood structures before 20th-century infill projects significantly altered the coastal profile of South Boston and the Charles River basin.