1879 Suwerkrop Topographical Map of the White Mountains, New Hampshire

This is an 1879 John Suwerkrop topographical map of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The map highlights the route of a short-lived railroad (Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad) for the 1879 meeting of the American Institute of Instruction, the first interstate organization dedicated to improving education within the United States.

A Closer Look

Coverge embraces from the Connecticut River to Bridgeton. The Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad runs from Littleton through the White Mountains, stopping at Bethlehem, Fabyan's, Crawford's, and North Conway before turning south towards Portland (off the bottom of the map). Mountain peaks, including Mt. Washington and Lafayette, are labeled. Lists of abbreviations used are included. A view of White Mountain Notch adorns the upper left. A short chronology of the construction of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad occupies the lower right. Timetables and fares for the American Institute of Instruction's meeting at Fabyan's can be found on the verso.

Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad

The Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad was an unsuccessful railroad that planned to connect Portland, Maine and Ogdensburg, New York. Chartered in 1867, the railroad successfully connected Portland with a railroad junction called Fabyan at Carrol, New Hampshire, in the White Mountains on August 7, 1875. Three railroad companies in Vermont consolidated on August 7, 1875, and formed the Vermont Division of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad. The Vermont Division was completed in 1877, but the railroad went bankrupt shortly after construction ended. It went into receivership on October 19, 1877, and the railroad was broken up, with the main division reorganized on June 8, 1884 as the Portland and Ogdensburg Railway.

The American Institute of Instruction

The American Institute of Instruction (1830 - 1918) was the first long-lived interstate association of teachers dedicated to furthering educational opportunity. It was founded in Boston on August 21, 1830 at a meeting attended by over 200 people from 11 states. It was originally formed to lobby for the appointment of a Massachusetts Superintendent of Common Schools. The Institute met once a year, usually for 3 to 5 days. Women were allowed to attend but were barred from being active members of the Institute until 1868. The rise of the National Education Association and other related state and local organizations led to the Institute's demise in 1918.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by John Suwerkrop and published by the Photo-Electrotype Company of Boston in 1879 for the American Institute of Instruction. This is the only known cataloged example. A slightly enlarged version of the map was also published for the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad by the Rand Avery Company in 1879 (Rumsey 5264.002).