Historic Treasure Article - October 10, 1982
by Dorothy W. Jerse
Curator, Vigo County Historical Society
Historic Treasure Article - October 10, 1982
by Dorothy W. Jerse
Curator, Vigo County Historical Society
One of the treasures of the Vigo County Historical Society which interests past and present residents of the city is this panoramic view of Terre Haute lithographed by Beck & Pauli, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1880.
Many towns and cities were mapped in this manner during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These maps, sometimes called areo views or bird's eye views, show the pattern of the streets and each building along with the trees. This type of "aerial view" was accomplished long before the time of the airplane.
In the "Panoramic Maps of Anglo-American Cities," compiled for the Library of Congress in 1974, John R. Hebert wrote:
"preparation of panoramic maps involved a vast amount of painstakingly detailed labor. For each project a frame or projection was developed; showing in perspective the pattern of streets, sketching buildings, trees, and other features to present a complete and accurate landscape as though seen from an elevation of 2,000 to 3,000 feet. These data were entered on the frame in his workroom.
"Advances in lithography, photolithography, photoengraving, and chromolithography, which made possible inexpensive and multiple copies, and coupled with a prosperous populace willing to purchase prints, made panoramic maps popular wall hangings during America's Victorian Age."
This 1880 Terre Haute view pictures the city from the river east to the countryside past 15th Street. There are few houses north of Third Avenue and the southern boundary is about what is now the 1300 block south of Wabash Avenue or Main Street, as it was called then.
The framed copy of this panoramic view was the gift of Vern McMillian. Visitors may view it in the Francis Vigo Room of the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 South Sixth Street. The museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday through Friday.
(Modern note: This lithograph has been reprinted and is currently offered for sell in the Museum Giftshop. For more information, please contact the museum at 812-235-9717).