1898 Walker Map of Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island

A scarce and lovely c. 1898 folding map of Rhode Island prepared by the prolific New England map publisher George Walker. It highlights features around the state, including Narragansett Bay and Newport, summertime destination for America's crème de la crème.

A Closer Look

Coverage includes Rhode Island and adjacent waters, along with portions of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Towns and cities are noted, along with roads, railroads, steamship lines (which could be more convenient for certain destinations, such as Newport), waterways, islands, lighthouses, and administrative boundaries. The 'best routes' for travelers are traced in red. An inset of Block Island appears at bottom-right.

The sheer density of rail lines, many belonging to the 'New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad', demonstrates the dominance of that mode of transportation. In the following years, streetcars and interurban trolleys would also connect many of the cities seen here.

Narragansett Bay

Like other coastal communities along the shores of New England, Narragansett Bay was primarily a site of trade and fishing for centuries, before adopting tourism and leisure activities in the late 19th century. With the help of steamships and railroads, the wealthy classes of Boston, New York, and other cities recognized the natural beauty and preferable climate of Narragansett Bay as an escape from the heat and grime of the urban summer. Newport, towards bottom-right, became a summer retreat for America's elite, who built magnificent mansions along the coast.

Publication History and Census

This map was prepared by George Walker and Co. (here as 'Walker Lith. and Pub. Co.') in Boston. It is undated but, from context, appears to be from the very late 19th century (Harvard's Map Collection dates it to 1898). Later editions of the map published in 1905 and 1909 are dated. The existence of multiple editions has led to some confused cataloging, but the map is scarce regardless of edition. Only Harvard appears to hold the first edition of the map, making this an especially rare find.