1915 Downs Bird's-Eye View of Cape Cod, Massachusetts

This is a dramatic 1915 Albert E. Downs bird's-eye view map of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, including the recently completed Cape Cod Canal. This ephemeral style of map became popular in the early 20th century when they were printed and sold by various newsstands operating in train and ferry stations throughout New England, but primarily in Boston.

A Closer Look

Cape Cod dominates the foreground, with the northern extremes of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket appearing along the bottom border. Towns and villages throughout are illustrated, some with discernable buildings. Among these are Barnstable, Provincetown (with the Pilgrim Monument clearly illustrated), Woods Hole, and Plymouth. Boston occupies the upper left horizon. Labeled lighthouses appear all along the coastline. Dashed lines mark shipping routes.

The Cape Cod Canal

The Cape Cod Canal stretches seven miles across the neck connecting Cape Cod with the mainland. Construction began on June 22, 1909, and the canal opened on July 29, 1914, on a limited basis. It was completed in 1916. The canal, part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, negates the need to travel around the Cape, shortening the journey by 135 miles.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Albert E. Downs and published by the New England News Company in 1915. We note three examples cataloged in OCLC which are part of the collections at Harvard University, the State Library of Massachusetts, and the University of Michigan. We note only two other instances when this map has appeared on the private market since 2005.