Building Suburban West Phila.: Maps

The Building of West Philadelphia

HISTORICAL MAPS, 1750 - 1930

Much can be learned by looking at historical maps of the area. Just the creation of a map, particularly a printed map, alludes to an area's importance. Only three surveys of the countryside around Philadelphia City were printed before 1800. In the following 50 years, only a few printed maps appeared that indicated structures in West Philadelphia. The most detailed surveys were for railroads, canals, and the like. Then shortly after 1850 property atlases and maps started to be published. Still, land that was not developed was treated on a less detailed scale than property that was.

The maps selected here may be viewed online. They tend to emphasize who owned the land and major transportation routes. Some show geographical features, and the plates from the later atlases show property lines and building outlines.

The following maps help show the growth and history of West Philadelphia. Each of the atlases has an index plate - essentially a map that will guide you to the more detailed page in the atlas. The index plates should not be relied on for detailed information. Frequently they show paper streets. Those are proposed streets that are not completed or in most cases not even started.

Note: Maps will open in a new window for viewing.

1749 N. Scull and G. Heap, Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent
1850 Section from Rea & Miller, Map of Blockley Twp. [includes West Philadelphia and portion of Kingsessing Twp.]
1872 Hopkins Atlas of West Philadelphia
1878 Scott's Atlas of West Philadelphia
1886 Baist, Atlas of West Philadelphia
1895 Bromley, Atlas of Philadelphia
1927 Bromley, Atlas of Philadelphia

Other On-Line Map Resources for Philadelphia Area:
Places In Time at Bryn Mawr College

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