Map of Rutland County, VT 1854

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Map of Rutland County, VT 1854 Home CDROM Contents Original Wall Map Historical Sketch Typical Map Paper Edition An Historical Sketch of The Map
The Map of Rutland County, Vermont 1854 is an important historical document. It was the result of the most comprehensive survey made to that date of the 25 towns in Rutland County. The map attempts to pinpoint the names and locations of every residence, workplace, church and school. This map is the first of eleven Vermont county maps created in the 1850s - a period of extraordinary map-making in America. The author of this map, J. Chace Jr., was also responsible for the Windham County map(1856) and for several county maps in nearby New York and New Hampshire. Little is known about him or the others credited on the map’s face, but it may be that they were associated with Robert Pearsall Smith, a prolific publisher of such maps. Smith had map production facilities in Phildelphia, and in 1853 was credited as co-publisher of a New York county map with James Scott - the publisher of the Rutland County map. We do know the general methods used for these county map projects.
Roads were measured with a wheel odometer, similar to the wheelbarrow-like device pictured here, or one drawn by horse and buggy. The surveyor would ask the names of farmstead owners as he passed by, and would surely add a brief sales pitch for the new map... after all, the map would carry the name of the resident, engraved upon it. The original road surveys for this privately-produced map were the most comprehensive yet made. This map served as the basis for later mapping for decades afterwards.
Publication was often announced in local newspapers, and local offices were set up where advance orders for the new map could be taken. A typical mid-1850s price was five dollars per copy. Prominent citizens allowed their names to be used in the mmap testimonials. Some paid extra for the honor of having their homes and businesses featured in engravings in the margins of the map. The map was printed on four separate sheets (probably on large stone printing plates) and assembled and glued together onto a cloth backing. Each copy was then hand-colored in several different hues, varnished, and mounted on wooden rollers. The large size -- about 3’ x 4 1/2' -- has often proved an impediment to display. Copies have commonly been placed in storage, usually in attics, where they have suffered from the effects of heat and leaky roofs. Originals in good condition today are rare items.
.P.S. I am seeking more interesting facts about the original publication of this map, or notes on curious facts depicted on it. Please email the publisher with any information you may have. Thanks. D. Allen, July, 2005.