1860 Map of the City of Brooklyn, New York. Showing Railroads, Street Numbers
DESCRIPTION
This highly detailed Map of the City of Brooklyn, issued in New York by Matthew Dripps, captures the borough during a period of rapid expansion, as it evolved into one of the largest and most dynamic cities in the United States. Designed as both a practical reference and a display piece, the map presents a fully developed street grid extending from the East River waterfront into newly organized neighborhoods, with ward boundaries carefully defined through original hand color.
Transportation is a central feature of the map and one of its most compelling elements. A detailed key at the bottom distinguishes between horse car railroads, steam railroads, and elevated lines, each plotted across the city with clarity. Numerous routes are identified and named, including major corridors along Fulton, Myrtle, and Atlantic Avenues, as well as connections to outlying districts such as Jamaica and Coney Island. Ferry routes linking Brooklyn to Manhattan are also noted, emphasizing the critical role of water transit before the construction of permanent bridges. Together, these networks illustrate the infrastructure that supported Brooklyn’s growth and its increasing integration into the greater New York metropolitan area.
Beyond its transportation focus, the map offers a rich view of the city’s physical and social landscape. The East River shoreline is densely lined with piers and slips, while inland areas show the steady spread of development into neighborhoods such as Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Flatbush. Prospect Park appears in early form, accompanied by major cemeteries including Green-Wood and the Cemetery of the Evergreens, which served as both landmarks and planned green spaces within the urban environment.
Maps of this type played an important role in documenting and guiding the development of American cities in the 19th century. Dripps’ Brooklyn map stands out for its combination of precision and usability, presenting not only the layout of the city but also the transportation systems that shaped its growth and daily life.
CONDITION
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