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1913 Norris Peters Map of Mississippi River Flood Relief Districts
FloodReliefDistricts-norrispeters-1913$225.00
Title
Relief of Flood Sufferers Ohio and Mississippi Valleys April - June 1912 Map Showing Relief Districts.
1913 (undated) 35.5 x 13.75 in (90.17 x 34.925 cm)
1913 (undated) 35.5 x 13.75 in (90.17 x 34.925 cm)
Description
This is a 1913 Norris Peters map of relief zones created to help rebuild after the 1912 Mississippi River Flood. One of the worst Mississippi River floods in recorded history, the flood caused nearly $100 million in damage and lasted 83 days. The 1912 flood was also the first Mississippi River flood to be photographed.
A Closer Look
The whole consists of 3 maps highlighting 5 relief districts. Red overprinting labels each noting cities from Hickman to New Orleans. Levee breaches are labeled as 'crevasses'. A table in the lower right provides statistics about 'crevasses' in the 4th District (and District 5).The 1912 Mississippi River Flood
The 1912 Mississippi River Flood was among the worst Mississippi River floods in history and was the first Mississippi River flood to be photographed. Rainfall in the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys combined with rapidly melting snow to create flood conditions. The first day of the flood is considered to be March 18, when the Ohio River at Evansville, Indiana, first reached flood stage. The last day is considered to be June 8, when the Mississippi River at New Orleans finally fell below flood stage - a total duration of 83 days. The length of the flood on some of the river's tributaries was shorter, ranging between 62 and 75 days. Levees from Cairo, Illinois, to New Orleans were breached. At one point, the Mississippi became 60 miles wide. The overflowed area measured 17,605 square miles, causing approximately $75 million in damage to crops, farmland, and other property. $4 million in damage was done to railroads.Publication History and Census
This map was created and published by Norris Peters for the House of Representatives during the 1st Session of the 62nd Congress (which was in session from April 7, 1913 - December 1, 1913). This is the only known cataloged example of the present map. It is likely that other copies exist with the entire House Documents report.Cartographer
Norris Peters (c. 1834 – July 15, 1889) was a Washington D.C. based photo-lithographer active in the late 18th and early 19th century whom Scientific American called 'one of Washington's most eccentric and mysterious figures.' Peters was born and educated in Pennsylvania. He relocated as a young man to Washington D.C. where he took work as an examiner for the United States Patent Office. During his work with the patent office he became fascinated with the emergent process of photolithography. In 1869 Peters secured substantial venture capital of about 100,000 USD from an unknown investor and founded The Norris Peters Company at 458 Pennsylvania Avenue. Their printing offices have been described as 'unequaled in this or any other country.' From these offices Peters pioneered the development of American photo-lithography. For nearly a generation he held a near monopoly on government photo-lithographic printing. Among their more notable contracts included numerous maps for congressional reports, maps of the U.S. Coast Survey, maps of the U.S. Geological Survey, Mexican currency for the State of Chihuahua, and the Official Gazette of the Patent Office. Peters also maintained an interesting social life and was a confidant to many of the most powerful figures in Congress. He was also a bon vivant known for being an excellent cook and hosting lavish dinners, the invitations to which were 'never declined'. Despite being socially active he never married and died a confirmed bachelor. Following Peters' death in 1889 his business was taken over by Henry Van Arsdale Parsell who administered it until his own death in 1901. The company then merged with Webb & Borcorselski, another D.C. lithography firm, and was renamed Webb & Borcorselski-Norris Peters. They continued to publish under this name well into the mid 20th century. More by this mapmaker...
Condition
Good. Light wear along original fold lines. Offsetting.