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Dorchester Maps
Note: if the quality of these maps is too low for your use, please get in touch. We have better quality images, but the digital files are larger than we feel comfortable putting on the web.
Some maps depicting Dorchester appear below. These are not the only ones to include Dorchester. Anyone interested in this topic should consult institutions with large collections, such as the Massachusetts Archives, the Boston Atheneum, the Boston Public Library, etc. The maps at the Boston Public Library are available online at bpl.org, go to collections, then online collections and choose Leventhal Center collection.
See especially the atlases below which each have many plates that are quite detailed.
Boston and Dorchester Maps/ Atlases
for current mapping - see City of Boston Assessing Online
no date
Blake, James E.
Dorchester, Massachusetts, plans, assumed to be drawn by James E. Blake. New England Historical and Genealogical Society.
French, Allen. A Collection of Facsimile Maps Pertaining to the Books and Papers ... (including Dorchester Neck) Mass. Hist Soc.
Plan of Dorchester Neck. Mass Hist Soc Ic2
1616
Smiths Map of New England
New England: the most Remarqueable Parts Thus Named by the High and Mighty Prince Charles, Prince of Great Britaine
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/15676
1630 circa
Map of English Towns and Indian Wigwams
1630 circa
Map showing possible archaeological sites
Zurawski, Carol and Lynn Whitney. Seventeenth Century Survey of Dorchester.Boston, Boston University, 1979.
1630 circa
Rock Hill
Zurawski, Carol and Lynn Whitney. Seventeenth Century Survey of Dorchester.Boston, Boston University, 1979.
1634
Woods Map of Massachusetts
The South Part of New-England, as it is Planted this Yeare, 1634
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/17462
1638 circa
Map of meadows beyond the Neponset, i.e., Squantum
Page 323 of Dorchester Town Records, Second Edition. Boston: Rockwell and Churchill, 1883. labeled as p. 31 of the original Dorchester Town Records, possibly from January 1637 or would this be 1638
1650 circa
Map of northern plain
Zurawski, Carol and Lynn Whitney. Seventeenth Century Survey of Dorchester.Boston, Boston University, 1979.
1660 ca.
Conjectural lines of Dorchesters largest territorial expanse
Modern guess at the boundary lines - available from Earl Taylor, Dorchester Historical Society
1661
John Oliver plat of land
An Unfinished Tracing of Joshua Fishers Copy on Parchment of Olivers Paper Plat of Land in Dorchester
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12985
1677
John Fosters Map of New England (John Foster was a Dorchester resident)
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/n48212
1688
Boston Harbor Phillip Wells
This Harbour of Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/m8743
1692
Thomas Pound Map of New England
A New Mapp of New England from Cape Codd to Cape Sables
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/explore/author/pound-thomas-0
1692
Jolliet Plan de Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/search/apachesolr_search
1697
Butcher, John.
A map, plan or draught of the twelve divisions of land ... 1697.
available online at The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public
http://maps.bpl.org/id/11100
1705
Castle Island
The Icqnographical draft of Castle Island where upon is built Her Maj.ties Castle and by Her Maj.ties Special Command named Castle William cituated in the bay of Boston three Miles S:E of ye town of Boston and South 3/4 of a Mile of ye Mean
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/n51492
1770
Hills Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/n48552
1775
Boston Harbor Des Barres
A Chart of the Harbour of Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10104
1775
A View of Boston from Dorchester Neck
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/rb15306
1775
Plan of the Neck and Environs
Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/item/gm71000917/
1775
A Front View of the Lines including A View of the Country Towards Dorchester
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/rb15199
1775
Plan of the Town of Boston and Circumjacent Country Shewing the Present Situation of the Kings Troops & the Rebeles Intrenchments 25th July 1775
D Auvergne, Philip, Prince de Bouillon
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10783
1775
Plan of Dorchester Neck Drawn for the Use of the British Army in 1775
in DuSimonds History of South Boston, Boston, 1857. p. 31.
1775
recreation of plan of the redoubt erected to keep the British out of the main part of Dorchester
Plan showing modern streets and the location of the Revolutionary Redoubt crossing Boston Street. 1907. compiled from Pelhams Map 1777 and from survey by Mather Withington.
Owned by the Dorchester Historical Society See illustration 6714
1776
Jean de Beaurains Carte du Port et Havre de Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/rb16898
1777
Henry Pelham
A Plan of Boston in New England with Environs.
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/rb15243
1778
George Louis LeRouge.
Plan de Boston.
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10074
1794
Mather Withington
Plan of Dorchester.
1804
Mather Withington. Map of South Boston showing conditins when the main part of South Boston was taken away from Dorchester and annexed to the city of Boston. Pen and ink and watercolor map. 112 cm x 54 cm
Massachuestts Historical Society http://masshist.org/database/vierwer.php?item id=1724&img step=1&mode=zoomify#page1 (note there is an underscore between item id and img step)
1805
Dorchester Turnpike and Roads Adjacent. 1805
New England Historical and Genealogical Society, SL Dor 12.
1805
Boston map showing South Boston proposed bridge
1806
Boston map showing South Boston proposed bridge
1806
Wayne Caleb Perry. Boston with Its Environs
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10640
1819
John Grove Hales. Boston and vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10708
1820
John Grove Hales. Boston and vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/18026
1831
A Map of the Towns of Dorchester and Milton
Edmund J. Baker
available online at The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10320
1836
Mount Bowdoin proposed subdivision
Thomas M. Mosley. Plan of Lots on Mount Bowdoin in Dorchester.
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11128
1838
Perham, B. F. Rough Sketch of a Portion of the Dorchester Turnpike. 1838
New England Historical and Genealogical Society SL Dor 11
1846
Branch Railroads with the Old Colony RR
1850
Map of Dorchester, Mass.
Elbridge Whiting for S. Dwight Eaton (Old Colony R.R. Depot, Boston)
Tappan & Bradford’s Lithography, Boston
available online at The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library
http://maps.bpl.org/id/11129
1850
Plan of South Bay
1850
S. Dwight Eaton. Map of the Old Colony Rail Road
Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3761p.rr005060/
1850
Woodland Cemetery in Dorchester and Roxbury published by Tappan & Bradford
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11185
1852
Boston Harbor
1852
McIntyre map of Boston - shows a little bit of Dorchester
H. McIntyre. Map of the City of Boston and Immediate Neighborhood
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10180
1852
Sidney Map of the city and vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/14602
1853
J.C. Sidney. Map of the City and Vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10632
1853
Henry Francis Walling. Map of Norfolk County
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10904
1854
Massachusetts. Board of Harbor Commissioners. Plan of South Bay Showing the Harbor Commissioners Lines
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12664
1854
Massachusetts. Board of Harbor Commissioners. Plan of Neponset River and part of Dorchester Bay Showing the harbor Lines proposed by the Commissioners.
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12662
1855
J.H. Colton. Map of Boston and Adjacent Cities
Shows Washington Village are that became part of Boston in the the 1850s
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/m8775
1858
Map of the County of Norfolk, Massachusetts
H.F. Walling
Published by Smith & Bumstead, Boston and New York
available online at www.davidrumsey.com
1860
Anson J. Stone. Hyde Park and Fairmount in Dorchester and Milton Norfolk Co.
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11183
1860
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1860
Walling, H. F. Map of Boston and the Country Adjacent. 1860 Hist NE
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10700
1863
Crafts, N. Henry. Map of the City of Boston. 1863
Hist NE
1863
Plan of Boston and Its Vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11009
1863
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10042
1866
Map of the City of Boston and Its Environs
H.F. Walling
available online at The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library
http://maps.bpl.org/id/10121
1866
Alexander Wadsworth. Plan of house lots for sale on Savin Hill Avenue
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11160
1867
Boston Map Company. Map of Boston (As it should be) and the Country Adjacent. 1867.
SPNEA
1867
Lake, D. J. Map of Boston and Its Environs. 1867.
Hist NE
1867
Nautical Chart of Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1867
Plan of Mount Hope Cemetery
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11188
1868
E.P. Dutton & Co. A New & Complete Map of the City of Boston, with Part of Charlestown, Cambridge, Brookline, Dorchester &c.
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11021
1869
Boston Almanac. Boston and Its Vicinity. 1869.
Hist NE
1869, corrected 1870
Thomas W. Davis. Plan of Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11034
1870
Boston. Engineering Dept. Plan of the Town of Dorchester
available online at The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11126
1870
Map of Boston, Showing Health Districts and Undrained and Drained Land
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11032
1870
Birds eye view of Boston showing Castle Island
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10045
1870
A. J. Johnson. Boston and vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10994
1870
David Granger & Son. Plan of Real Estate Belonging to T.W. and J.H. Cox
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11162
1870
Plan of house lots in Ward 16 owned by Samuel B. Pierce
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11161
1870
Plan of lots belonging to BP Cunningham
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11159
1871
Harper & Brothers. Birds-eye view of Boston and surrounding area
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12071
1871
Boston and surround area showing horse RR
1871
Plan no. 1 of lots of Geo. D. Welles
At Dorchester Historical Society
1871
Henry W. Wilson. Plan no II of land of George D. Welles (lots west of Washington Street)
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11172
1872
E.N. Winslow. Old Colony Railroad and Connections
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/n48153
1872
Birds-eye view of Boston and Its Environs
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10532
1872
T. Sulman. Birds-eye view of Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10123
1872
Henry Francis Walling. Map of Boston and the Cuntry Adjacent
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11088
1872
Plan of land belonging to JM Pike (Euclid and Torrey Streets)
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11173
1872
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12066
1873
Parsons & Atwater. The City of Boston. Birds-eye view showing South Bay
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10664
1874
Atlas
G.M. Hopkins
At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1876
Luther Briggs & Co.
Plan of the Lewis Pierce Estate.
Suffolk County Registry of Deeds Book 1331, p. 277
1876
Henry W. Wilson. Plan of the cove between Savin and Commercial Point
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11182
1876
South Bay and Savin Hill Parks
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/1117
1877
John Bachmann. Birds-eye View from the North. Boston showing South Bay
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10124
1877
City of Boston Improved Sewerage
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12189
1877
City of Boston Improved Sewerage Plan Showing Region Drained by
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12191
1878
Boston by Sampson, Davenport & Co
Boston Public Lbrary http://maps.bpl.org/id/12187
1878
Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10046
1878
Cedar Grove Cemetery
Dorchester Historical Society has pdf copy
1878
Plan of Mount Hope Cemetery
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11148
1878
Coombs, W. M Plan of Dorchester Showing Sewers and Contours. 1878.
Mass Hist Soc Ic2
1879
S. Augustus Mitchell. Plan of Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10112
1879
F. Kimball Rogers. Balloon View Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10381
1879
Sampson, Davenport & Co. Map of Boston for 1879
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12186
1880
Boston City Surveyor.
Plan of Dorchester, 1880
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11125
1880
Plan of Dorchester Bay
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12984
1882
Atlas
Bromley
some plates At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1884
Atlas
Bromley
At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1885
Cedar Grove Cemetery
Dorchester Historical Society has pdf copy
1889
Atlas of the city of Boston. Vol. 5: Dorchester
Geo. W. & Walter S. Bromley
Published by G.W. Bromley & Co.
At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1889
Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12064
1890
Birds-eye view of Lower Mills
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10315
1890
Birds-eye view of Mattapan
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10157
1890
Plan of Land in Dorchester belonging to Charles N. Mellen
1892
Frank O. Whitney. Plan of Land Owned by the Heirs of Frederick Clapp (Bellflower Street)
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11169
1893 copy of 1688 map
Phillip Wells. This Harbour of Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/17482
1893
Geo. H. Walker & Co. Boston and Vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10733
1893
William O. Badger. Plan of lots on West Selden Street, Dorchester
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/11163
1894
Map of Boston ...showing original territory of Old Boston
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12474
1894
Atlas
Bromley
Online at Boston Public Library and hard copy available at Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1896
An Outline Map of Boston Showing the Old & New Ward Lines
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12480
1896
Sampson, Murdock & Co. Boston and Vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12478
1896
Geo. H. Walker & Co. Boston and Surroundings
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/14607
1896
Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey
https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1897
City of Boston Plan of Columbia Road, showing Connection with Franklin Park and Marine Park
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12483
1898
Atlas
Bromley
At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1899
Atlas: Dorchester, West Roxbury, Brighton
J.P. Brown & Co.; L.J. Richards
Publisher: L.J. Richards, Boston
At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans. and at www.davidrumsey.com
1899
Boston and Vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12486
1899
Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10786
1901
Boston and Vicinity Metropolitan Park Commission
1901
Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1902
Sampson, Davenport & Co. Boston and Vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12580
1902
Boston drainage
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12569
1903
Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1903
Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/15212
1903
Boston and Vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12568
1903
Boston quadrangle USGS repr 1942
1903
Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/15212
1904
Atlas
Bromley
At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1907
Boston Suburban Book Company. Map of Dorchester, Roxbury and West Roxbury
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12565
1909
Boston and suburbs
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10788
1909
Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1910 circa
Dorchester Board of Trade
Walker Lithograph Company. Map of Dorchester.
1910
Atlas
Bromley
At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1911
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1913
Boston and suburbs
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10781
1913
Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12667
1915
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1918
Atlas
Bromley
At Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1919
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1921
Boston and Vicinity
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/12593
1921
Metropolitan Water and Sewerage
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10791
1921
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1923
Boston Harbor
Boston Public Library http://maps.bpl.org/id/10464
1923
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1927
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1928
Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1930
US Coast Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1930
Board of Trade. Map of Dorchester. 1930.
In Dorchester Old and New, 1630-1930
1931
Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1932
Hibbard, Thomas. Land Once Owned by the First Parish Church in Dorchester, 1932.
Hist Gen Soc: Ms Dor 160.
1932
Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
1933
Atlas
Bromley
Library of Congress online https://www.loc.gov/item/2008622000/
or at Dorchester Historical Society. The Society can provide digital scans.
1934
US Cost Survey Boston Harbor
US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
There are later dates for Boston Harbor as well at US. Office of Coast Survey https://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/search#mainTitle
Fire Insurance Atlases
Certainly the most useful maps for tracing the development of Dorchester after its annexation to Boston are the so-called fire insurance maps. Griffith M. Hopkins produced an atlas of Boston including a volume for Dorchester in 1874 and again in 1882. George Bromley followed in 1884 with new volumes every five years or so. Richards produced one atlas in 1899. Richard Heath in From Pear Orchard to Multi-Family Housing: A History of the Marshall P. Wilder Estate. Jamaica Plain, 2003, cites a 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
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Certainly the most useful maps for tracing the development of Dorchester after its annexation to Boston are the so-called fire insurance maps. Griffith M. Hopkins produced an atlas of Boston including a volume for Dorchester in 1874 and again in 1882. George Bromley followed in 1884 with new volumes every five years or so. Richards produced one atlas in 1899. Richard Heath in From Pear Orchard to Multi-Family Housing: A History of the Marshall P. Wilder Estate. Jamaica Plain, 2003, cites a 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
Illustrations of details of one small corner of Dorchester are given to show how the development of Dorchester proceeded over the course of 60 years after annexation. Some neighborhoods filled in a little earlier than our example at the corner of Carruth Street and Adams Street (now Gallivan Boulevard), but all of Dorchester was substantially complete by 1933 when the Bromley company issued its last Dorchester atlas.
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Here are some images from the Atheneum archive related to this topic. Click on any of these images to open a slideshow of all 1068 images.
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here. Created: July 24, 2003 Modified: June 30, 2016
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