1856 Chase Wall Map of Kennebec County, Maine

A striking 1856 Jacob Chace Jr. wall map of Kennebec County, Maine, home to Augusta, the state capital. Chase was Maine's pre-eminent map publisher in the mid to late 19th century. Cities, towns, and villages throughout are named, including Augusta, situated just below center. The map's exceptional detail extends to individual homesteads (identified by the owner's name). The county's many lakes, ponds, and rivers are also illustrated and labeled. Inset maps provide further detail of important cities, towns, and villages, including Augusta, Hallowell, Waterville, Gardiner, and Winthrop Village. Views of the state capital building in Augusta, the courthouse in Augusta, a daguerrian gallery in Waterville, Litchfield Academy, and several private residences decorate the border. A table of distances and small tables providing agricultural, religious, and population data are included alongside text boxes bearing the names of local businesses.

Publication History and Census

This map was surveyed by J. Southwick and S. Baker and published by Jacob Chace Jr. in 1856. Four examples are cataloged in OCLC and are part of the collections at the Library of Congress, the Osher Map Library at the University of Southern Maine, the Maine State Library, and the University of Maine at Orono. Such maps were manufactures and sold by subscription, so production numbers are typically quite low. Survival rate is also very low.