1888 Leavitt Pictorial Map of the White Mountains

Complete with frightening bears, this is Franklin and Victor Leavitt's idiosyncratic 1888 pictorial map of New Hampshire's White Mountains. The map is most admired for its folksy central illustration, incorporating local legends Old Crawford, Tom Miller, Old Gib, and Harry Crawford engaged in the mortal combat with bears and a lynx against the backdrop of the White Mountains. There is even one image of a particularly adventurous woodsman, Col. Whipple, relaxing in the embrace of a moose's massive antlers.

A Closer Look

Composed in Leavitt's quirky yet iconic style, coverage embraces from the Androscoggin River to the Connecticut River and from Lake Winnipesaukee to Concord, Vermont. Hotels, hunting lodges, and great estates are illustrated in profile. Local history abounds, some of which is actual, some of which is pure legend, many of which involve daring outdoorsmanly exploits. A rough profile of the White Mountains is situated at center, with the illustrated peaks labeled and their elevations given (though rounded to the nearest 100 feet). Roads and railroads crisscross the region, nearly all of which are labeled, and illustrations of horse-drawn carriages adorn the roads while trains run along their tracks. Views of four different waterfalls are situated in each of the corners and an inset map appears in the lower right corner.

White Mountains Tourism

In the 1880s, tourism in the White Mountains of New Hampshire experienced a surge as urban dwellers sought refuge in the region's pristine natural beauty. Grand hotels and charming resorts, such as the iconic Mount Washington Hotel and the historic Crawford House, catered to a growing number of visitors, providing luxurious accommodations amid breathtaking landscapes. The allure of scaling the peaks, including the renowned Mount Washington, enticed adventurous spirits, while artists and writers drew inspiration from the scenery. Enhanced transportation options, including the expansion of railroads, facilitated access to this idyllic escape, marking a transformative era that established the White Mountains as a premier destination for leisure, exploration, and appreciation of the American wilderness.

Census and Publication History

This map was drawn by Franklin Leavitt and originally published by him in 1882. It is part of a series of White Mountains maps published by Leavitt between 1852 and 1888. The present example is the second state, which was published by his son Victor Leavitt in 1888. Leavitt sold the maps himself at grand hotels and even train stations. Examples appear in several institutional collections, but all of Leavitt's maps are rare on the private market.