1892 Rand McNally Map or Plan of Chicago, Illinois (showing Railway Terminals)
Description: An attractive railway map of Chicago issued in 1892 by Rand McNally and Company. It covers Chicago from Norwood Park to the suburb of Thornton in the south and east as far as Lake Michigan. An inset map of the central city in included in the upper right quadrant. The map illustrates the various railway lines and terminal throughout the city. An index to the railroads in included below the inset map.
Selected as a railway hub for most of the American Midwest, Chicago was undergoing a boom period and would soon draw the world's attention as the site for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, or as it is better known, the Great Columbian Exposition. The map identifies Jackson Park, the location selected for the fair. It also illustrates the Chicago Park System. The 'Park System', designed by Olmstead prodigy William Le Baron Jenny in 1871, refers to a network of parks and garden boulevards intended to embrace the city in arms of foliage. Many of these parks and boulevards remain today.
This highly detailed map notes parks, piers, lakes, cemeteries, railroads, railway stations, and an assortment of other topographical details. Individual streets and buildings are identified. This map was issued as plate nos. 218 and 219 in the 1893 edition of Rand McNally and Company's Indexed Atlas of the World- possibly the finest atlas Rand McNally ever issued.
Date: 1892 (dated)
Source: Rand McNally & Co., Rand, McNally & Co's Indexed Atlas of the World, (Chicago) 1893.
References: Rumsey 3565.113 (1897 edition).
Cartographer: Rand McNally (fl. 1856 - present) is an American publisher of maps, atlases and globes. The company was founded in 1856 when William H. Rand, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, opened a print shop in Chicago. Rand hired the recent Irish immigrant Andrew McNally to assist in the shop giving him a wage of 9 USD per week. The duo landed several important contracts, including the Tribune's (later renamed the Chicago Tribune) printing operation. In 1872 Rand McNally produced its first map, a railroad guide, using new cost effective printing technique known as wax process engraving. As the Chicago developed as a railway hub the Rand firm, now incorporated as Rand McNally, began producing a wide array of maps and guides. Over time the firm expanded into atlases, globes, education books, and general literature. By embracing the cost effective wax engraving process Rand McNally was able to dominate the map and atlas market, pushing more traditional American lithographic publishers like Colton, Johnson, and Mitchell out of business. Eventually Rand McNally opened an annex office in New York City headed by Caleb S. Hammond, whose name is today synonymous with maps and atlases, and who later started his own map company, C. S. Hammond & Co. Both firms remain in business. Click here for a list of rare maps by Rand McNally.
Size: Printed area measures 20 x 27 inches (50.8 x 68.58 centimeters)
Scale: 1 : 63360
Condition: Very good. Original centerfold exhibits minor wear. Text on verso.
Printable Info Sheet
Code: ChicagoRailTerm-randmcnally-1893 (to order by phone call: 646-320-8650)
Tags: Rand McNally , City Plan , Railroad Map