1882 Map Oakley Hoopes Bailey and Co Publishers

Providence RI Made by Oakley Hoopes Bailey and Co Publishers Boston 1882 Bird’s-eye view / Pictorial Map

The bird's eye view of Providence, also called a pictorial map, was created by Oakley Hoopes Bailey and Co. in 1882. Dating back to the Medieval period, this style of map saw a resurgence in the 19th century, particularly with the expansion of railroads. The rail industry is prominently featured in this view, but even more striking is the Cove Basin, which sits at the center of the map. 

The American Planer and architecture educator Micheal Holleran argues that the Cove had been a significant element of the city’s maritime industry and even after the Cove was partially enclosed for the railway, there was much controversy about if the Cove should be completely sealed to eliminate the powerful stench that emanated from it. 

The map also emphasizes the city’s industry and bustling atmosphere, likely aimed at encouraging people to move to Providence for work or to set up businesses. At this time, Providence was a dense manufacturing hub, leading the nation in wool and jewellery production and ranking third in machinery and equipment. The map highlights the city’s pride in its industrial prowess; interestingly, industrial air pollution is not depicted as a public health concern, despite the dozens of smokestacks releasing toxic chemicals into the air. Instead, contamination from sewage, the slaughter industry, and other pollutants flowing into the Cove seemed to be of greater concern.

  Accuracy:   Cross Referencing with the 1882 Atlas Of The City Of Providence and Environs From Official Records, the density and placement of buildings in perspectival space appear to be relatively accurate on this pictorial map. References:  The History of Bird's Eye View Maps and the Mapmakers    https://www.vintagecitymaps.com/history/    Report upon the sanitary effects of filling the Cove Basin in the city of Providence by Edwin M. Snow, M.D., Superintendent of Health