1956 Welt-Brooks Pictorial Map of Chatham, Massachusetts, Cape Cod

An attractive 1956 first-edition pictorial map of Chatham, Massachusetts drawn by Welt-Brooks Studio and printed by the Spaulding-Moss Company for the Chatham Chamber of Commerce. It highlights local attractions, from historical sites to summertime activities.

A Closer Look

Located at the 'elbow' in the southeast corner of Cape Cod, Chatham is known for its long history, having been visited by Samuel de Champlain in 1606, and for being a favorite summer destination for travelers and seasonal residents. The map covers the town and labels waterways, roads, islands, neighborhoods, and other features. Numbers throughout correspond to an index of 'points of interest' at left, while illustrations on and below the map depict quaint local scenes, including the Chatham Windmill and Chatham Light (like other towns on the coast of Massachusetts, Chatham's long history has endowed it with several historical buildings that are very old by American standards). The verso includes detailed information on directions to Chatham, favorite local activities (summer concerts, fishing, and beaches), institutions, such as the library, schools, and churches.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by Welt-Brooks Studio, a short-lived outfit that included local artist Milton Welt, and printed by the Spaulding-Moss Company for the Chatham Chamber of Commerce in 1956. It was issued several times, but all examples in institutional collections are dated to 1960 (the University of Toronto) and 1961 (the Boston Public Library).