Before the rise of photography in America, artists drew stunning “balloon maps” of their cities, giving ordinary citizens a bird’s-eye view of their communities that they’d never seen before.
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1 of 36Sandusky, Ohio. 1898.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrated panoramic maps exploded in popularity in America.Library of Congress 2 of 36Santa Barbara, California. 1898.Library of Congress 3 of 36Savannah, Georgia. 1734.Library of Congress 4 of 36Tallahassee, Florida. 1885.
Often called “balloon maps,” these illustrations were sometimes drawn by artists in hot air balloons.Library of Congress 5 of 36Toledo, Ohio. 1876.
Library of Congress 6 of 36Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. 1875.Library of Congress 7 of 36Washington, D.C. 1852.
Not all “balloon maps” were drawn with the help of hot air balloons. Some artists simply sought high vantage points to create their drawings.Library of Congress 8 of 36Wyandotte, Michigan. 1896.Library of Congress 9 of 36Washington D.C. Potomac River. 1880.Library of Congress 10 of 36Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1876.
Illustrated panoramic maps were rarely drawn to scale, but they still gave people a decent overview of their local area.Library of Congress 11 of 36Alton, New Hampshire. 1888.Library of Congress 12 of 36Billings, Montana. 1904.Library of Congress 13 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1899.
Real estate agents often used balloon maps to sell property to people who were interested in moving to new homes.Library of Congress 14 of 36Buckhannon, West Virginia. 1900.Library of Congress 15 of 36Delaware River. 1900.Library of Congress 16 of 36Chester, Pennsylvania. 1885.
Much like modern-day maps, these illustrations were often posted in the common areas of cities to help people get around.Library of Congress 17 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1905.Library of Congress 18 of 36Fitzgerald, Georgia. 1908.Library of Congress 19 of 36Grafton, West Virginia. 1898.
Illustrated panoramic maps helped give citizens a larger sense of place in their communities.Library of Congress 20 of 36Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1868.Library of Congress 21 of 36Greensboro, North Carolina. 1891.Library of Congress 22 of 36Houston, Texas. 1891.
While illustrated panoramic maps started off relatively simple, artists began to add more specific details as time went on.Library of Congress 23 of 36New York, New York. 1873.Library of Congress 24 of 36Jacksonville, Florida. 1893.Library of Congress 25 of 36Louisville, Kentucky. 1876.Library of Congress 26 of 36Los Angeles, California. 1894.
Panoramic maps not only helped local citizens navigate their cities, but also paved the way for tourists to explore as well.Library of Congress 27 of 36Nashville, Tennessee. 1897.Library of Congress 28 of 36Oakland, California. 1900.Library of Congress 29 of 36New York City, New York. 1889.
Hundreds of vintage illustrated panoramic maps are still available for viewing today, courtesy of the Library of Congress.Library of Congress 30 of 36Ogden, Utah. 1889.Library of Congress 31 of 36Salt Lake City, Utah. 1891.Library of Congress 32 of 36Raleigh, North Carolina. 1872.Library of Congress 33 of 36Reno, Nevada. 1907.Library of Congress 34 of 36New York City, New York. 1874.Library of Congress 35 of 36St. Louis, Missouri. 1904.
Many citizens used panoramic maps as symbols of pride for their cities — much like city wall posters of today. Library of Congress 36 of 36Like this gallery?Share it:
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How Panoramic Maps Drawn By Artists In Hot Air Balloons Changed 19th-Century America View Gallery
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrated panoramic maps became America’s favorite drawings. Showcasing cities from above at an oblique angle, these illustrations gave people a true “bird’s-eye view” of their local communities — and other places around the country.
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1 of 36Sandusky, Ohio. 1898.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrated panoramic maps exploded in popularity in America.Library of Congress 2 of 36Santa Barbara, California. 1898.Library of Congress 3 of 36Savannah, Georgia. 1734.Library of Congress 4 of 36Tallahassee, Florida. 1885.
Often called “balloon maps,” these illustrations were sometimes drawn by artists in hot air balloons.Library of Congress 5 of 36Toledo, Ohio. 1876.
Library of Congress 6 of 36Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. 1875.Library of Congress 7 of 36Washington, D.C. 1852.
Not all “balloon maps” were drawn with the help of hot air balloons. Some artists simply sought high vantage points to create their drawings.Library of Congress 8 of 36Wyandotte, Michigan. 1896.Library of Congress 9 of 36Washington D.C. Potomac River. 1880.Library of Congress 10 of 36Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1876.
Illustrated panoramic maps were rarely drawn to scale, but they still gave people a decent overview of their local area.Library of Congress 11 of 36Alton, New Hampshire. 1888.Library of Congress 12 of 36Billings, Montana. 1904.Library of Congress 13 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1899.
Real estate agents often used balloon maps to sell property to people who were interested in moving to new homes.Library of Congress 14 of 36Buckhannon, West Virginia. 1900.Library of Congress 15 of 36Delaware River. 1900.Library of Congress 16 of 36Chester, Pennsylvania. 1885.
Much like modern-day maps, these illustrations were often posted in the common areas of cities to help people get around.Library of Congress 17 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1905.Library of Congress 18 of 36Fitzgerald, Georgia. 1908.Library of Congress 19 of 36Grafton, West Virginia. 1898.
Illustrated panoramic maps helped give citizens a larger sense of place in their communities.Library of Congress 20 of 36Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1868.Library of Congress 21 of 36Greensboro, North Carolina. 1891.Library of Congress 22 of 36Houston, Texas. 1891.
While illustrated panoramic maps started off relatively simple, artists began to add more specific details as time went on.Library of Congress 23 of 36New York, New York. 1873.Library of Congress 24 of 36Jacksonville, Florida. 1893.Library of Congress 25 of 36Louisville, Kentucky. 1876.Library of Congress 26 of 36Los Angeles, California. 1894.
Panoramic maps not only helped local citizens navigate their cities, but also paved the way for tourists to explore as well.Library of Congress 27 of 36Nashville, Tennessee. 1897.Library of Congress 28 of 36Oakland, California. 1900.Library of Congress 29 of 36New York City, New York. 1889.
Hundreds of vintage illustrated panoramic maps are still available for viewing today, courtesy of the Library of Congress.Library of Congress 30 of 36Ogden, Utah. 1889.Library of Congress 31 of 36Salt Lake City, Utah. 1891.Library of Congress 32 of 36Raleigh, North Carolina. 1872.Library of Congress 33 of 36Reno, Nevada. 1907.Library of Congress 34 of 36New York City, New York. 1874.Library of Congress 35 of 36St. Louis, Missouri. 1904.
Many citizens used panoramic maps as symbols of pride for their cities — much like city wall posters of today. Library of Congress 36 of 36Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
1 of 36Sandusky, Ohio. 1898.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrated panoramic maps exploded in popularity in America.Library of Congress 2 of 36Santa Barbara, California. 1898.Library of Congress 3 of 36Savannah, Georgia. 1734.Library of Congress 4 of 36Tallahassee, Florida. 1885.
Often called “balloon maps,” these illustrations were sometimes drawn by artists in hot air balloons.Library of Congress 5 of 36Toledo, Ohio. 1876.
Library of Congress 6 of 36Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. 1875.Library of Congress 7 of 36Washington, D.C. 1852.
Not all “balloon maps” were drawn with the help of hot air balloons. Some artists simply sought high vantage points to create their drawings.Library of Congress 8 of 36Wyandotte, Michigan. 1896.Library of Congress 9 of 36Washington D.C. Potomac River. 1880.Library of Congress 10 of 36Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1876.
Illustrated panoramic maps were rarely drawn to scale, but they still gave people a decent overview of their local area.Library of Congress 11 of 36Alton, New Hampshire. 1888.Library of Congress 12 of 36Billings, Montana. 1904.Library of Congress 13 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1899.
Real estate agents often used balloon maps to sell property to people who were interested in moving to new homes.Library of Congress 14 of 36Buckhannon, West Virginia. 1900.Library of Congress 15 of 36Delaware River. 1900.Library of Congress 16 of 36Chester, Pennsylvania. 1885.
Much like modern-day maps, these illustrations were often posted in the common areas of cities to help people get around.Library of Congress 17 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1905.Library of Congress 18 of 36Fitzgerald, Georgia. 1908.Library of Congress 19 of 36Grafton, West Virginia. 1898.
Illustrated panoramic maps helped give citizens a larger sense of place in their communities.Library of Congress 20 of 36Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1868.Library of Congress 21 of 36Greensboro, North Carolina. 1891.Library of Congress 22 of 36Houston, Texas. 1891.
While illustrated panoramic maps started off relatively simple, artists began to add more specific details as time went on.Library of Congress 23 of 36New York, New York. 1873.Library of Congress 24 of 36Jacksonville, Florida. 1893.Library of Congress 25 of 36Louisville, Kentucky. 1876.Library of Congress 26 of 36Los Angeles, California. 1894.
Panoramic maps not only helped local citizens navigate their cities, but also paved the way for tourists to explore as well.Library of Congress 27 of 36Nashville, Tennessee. 1897.Library of Congress 28 of 36Oakland, California. 1900.Library of Congress 29 of 36New York City, New York. 1889.
Hundreds of vintage illustrated panoramic maps are still available for viewing today, courtesy of the Library of Congress.Library of Congress 30 of 36Ogden, Utah. 1889.Library of Congress 31 of 36Salt Lake City, Utah. 1891.Library of Congress 32 of 36Raleigh, North Carolina. 1872.Library of Congress 33 of 36Reno, Nevada. 1907.Library of Congress 34 of 36New York City, New York. 1874.Library of Congress 35 of 36St. Louis, Missouri. 1904.
Many citizens used panoramic maps as symbols of pride for their cities — much like city wall posters of today. Library of Congress 36 of 36Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
Share
- Share
1 of 36Sandusky, Ohio. 1898.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrated panoramic maps exploded in popularity in America.Library of Congress 2 of 36Santa Barbara, California. 1898.Library of Congress 3 of 36Savannah, Georgia. 1734.Library of Congress 4 of 36Tallahassee, Florida. 1885.
Often called “balloon maps,” these illustrations were sometimes drawn by artists in hot air balloons.Library of Congress 5 of 36Toledo, Ohio. 1876.
Library of Congress 6 of 36Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. 1875.Library of Congress 7 of 36Washington, D.C. 1852.
Not all “balloon maps” were drawn with the help of hot air balloons. Some artists simply sought high vantage points to create their drawings.Library of Congress 8 of 36Wyandotte, Michigan. 1896.Library of Congress 9 of 36Washington D.C. Potomac River. 1880.Library of Congress 10 of 36Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1876.
Illustrated panoramic maps were rarely drawn to scale, but they still gave people a decent overview of their local area.Library of Congress 11 of 36Alton, New Hampshire. 1888.Library of Congress 12 of 36Billings, Montana. 1904.Library of Congress 13 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1899.
Real estate agents often used balloon maps to sell property to people who were interested in moving to new homes.Library of Congress 14 of 36Buckhannon, West Virginia. 1900.Library of Congress 15 of 36Delaware River. 1900.Library of Congress 16 of 36Chester, Pennsylvania. 1885.
Much like modern-day maps, these illustrations were often posted in the common areas of cities to help people get around.Library of Congress 17 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1905.Library of Congress 18 of 36Fitzgerald, Georgia. 1908.Library of Congress 19 of 36Grafton, West Virginia. 1898.
Illustrated panoramic maps helped give citizens a larger sense of place in their communities.Library of Congress 20 of 36Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1868.Library of Congress 21 of 36Greensboro, North Carolina. 1891.Library of Congress 22 of 36Houston, Texas. 1891.
While illustrated panoramic maps started off relatively simple, artists began to add more specific details as time went on.Library of Congress 23 of 36New York, New York. 1873.Library of Congress 24 of 36Jacksonville, Florida. 1893.Library of Congress 25 of 36Louisville, Kentucky. 1876.Library of Congress 26 of 36Los Angeles, California. 1894.
Panoramic maps not only helped local citizens navigate their cities, but also paved the way for tourists to explore as well.Library of Congress 27 of 36Nashville, Tennessee. 1897.Library of Congress 28 of 36Oakland, California. 1900.Library of Congress 29 of 36New York City, New York. 1889.
Hundreds of vintage illustrated panoramic maps are still available for viewing today, courtesy of the Library of Congress.Library of Congress 30 of 36Ogden, Utah. 1889.Library of Congress 31 of 36Salt Lake City, Utah. 1891.Library of Congress 32 of 36Raleigh, North Carolina. 1872.Library of Congress 33 of 36Reno, Nevada. 1907.Library of Congress 34 of 36New York City, New York. 1874.Library of Congress 35 of 36St. Louis, Missouri. 1904.
Many citizens used panoramic maps as symbols of pride for their cities — much like city wall posters of today. Library of Congress 36 of 36Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
1 of 36Sandusky, Ohio. 1898.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrated panoramic maps exploded in popularity in America.Library of Congress
2 of 36Santa Barbara, California. 1898.Library of Congress
3 of 36Savannah, Georgia. 1734.Library of Congress
4 of 36Tallahassee, Florida. 1885.
Often called “balloon maps,” these illustrations were sometimes drawn by artists in hot air balloons.Library of Congress
5 of 36Toledo, Ohio. 1876.
Library of Congress
6 of 36Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. 1875.Library of Congress
7 of 36Washington, D.C. 1852.
Not all “balloon maps” were drawn with the help of hot air balloons. Some artists simply sought high vantage points to create their drawings.Library of Congress
8 of 36Wyandotte, Michigan. 1896.Library of Congress
9 of 36Washington D.C. Potomac River. 1880.Library of Congress
10 of 36Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1876.
Illustrated panoramic maps were rarely drawn to scale, but they still gave people a decent overview of their local area.Library of Congress
11 of 36Alton, New Hampshire. 1888.Library of Congress
12 of 36Billings, Montana. 1904.Library of Congress
13 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1899.
Real estate agents often used balloon maps to sell property to people who were interested in moving to new homes.Library of Congress
14 of 36Buckhannon, West Virginia. 1900.Library of Congress
15 of 36Delaware River. 1900.Library of Congress
16 of 36Chester, Pennsylvania. 1885.
Much like modern-day maps, these illustrations were often posted in the common areas of cities to help people get around.Library of Congress
17 of 36Boston, Massachusetts. 1905.Library of Congress
18 of 36Fitzgerald, Georgia. 1908.Library of Congress
19 of 36Grafton, West Virginia. 1898.
Illustrated panoramic maps helped give citizens a larger sense of place in their communities.Library of Congress
20 of 36Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1868.Library of Congress
21 of 36Greensboro, North Carolina. 1891.Library of Congress
22 of 36Houston, Texas. 1891.
While illustrated panoramic maps started off relatively simple, artists began to add more specific details as time went on.Library of Congress
23 of 36New York, New York. 1873.Library of Congress
24 of 36Jacksonville, Florida. 1893.Library of Congress
25 of 36Louisville, Kentucky. 1876.Library of Congress
26 of 36Los Angeles, California. 1894.
Panoramic maps not only helped local citizens navigate their cities, but also paved the way for tourists to explore as well.Library of Congress
27 of 36Nashville, Tennessee. 1897.Library of Congress
28 of 36Oakland, California. 1900.Library of Congress
29 of 36New York City, New York. 1889.
Hundreds of vintage illustrated panoramic maps are still available for viewing today, courtesy of the Library of Congress.Library of Congress
30 of 36Ogden, Utah. 1889.Library of Congress
31 of 36Salt Lake City, Utah. 1891.Library of Congress
32 of 36Raleigh, North Carolina. 1872.Library of Congress
33 of 36Reno, Nevada. 1907.Library of Congress
34 of 36New York City, New York. 1874.Library of Congress
35 of 36St. Louis, Missouri. 1904.
Many citizens used panoramic maps as symbols of pride for their cities — much like city wall posters of today. Library of Congress
36 of 36Like this gallery?Share it:
Share
How Panoramic Maps Drawn By Artists In Hot Air Balloons Changed 19th-Century America View Gallery
How Panoramic Maps Drawn By Artists In Hot Air Balloons Changed 19th-Century America View Gallery
How Panoramic Maps Drawn By Artists In Hot Air Balloons Changed 19th-Century America View Gallery
How Panoramic Maps Drawn By Artists In Hot Air Balloons Changed 19th-Century America View Gallery
How Panoramic Maps Drawn By Artists In Hot Air Balloons Changed 19th-Century America
View Gallery
Via hot air balloons, panoramic artists hovered above local towns and cities from various vantage points to recreate the region’s skyline. The result would be a painted map based on what the artist saw while up in the air.
Although the depictions were rarely drawn to scale, these stunning drawings served as a useful overview of the area’s geography. An archive featuring more than 1,500 illustrated panoramic maps is available online through the Library of Congress.
Library of CongressNew York, New York. 1874.
In addition to establishing a sense of place, illustrated panoramic maps were also helpful to real estate agents selling homes and business properties. As artists began to embellish these maps with more specific details, they were also used to sell dreams.
How Illustrated Panoramic Maps Aided Tourism
The illustrated panoramic maps of decades past are comparable to the Instagram photos of today. People often posted these pictures in common areas of their towns, helping citizens establish a sense of place.
The maps also helped with tourism in the larger cities. As a result, simple panoramic maps developed into overly embellished drawings, complete with street patterns, buildings, and other major landscape features.
Library of CongressSt. Louis, Missouri. 1904.
Although these drawings are often referred to as “balloon maps,” not all illustrated panoramic maps were drawn with the help of hot air balloons.
Most “panoramic artists” simply used high vantage points to make their drawings. Anything that would give them access to the bird’s-eye view was what made their creations so popular.
Earlier versions of the maps were more simple and basic because they served an important role during times of war.
A Bird’s-Eye View Of The Future
Prussian-born Albert Ruger was one of the first people ever to achieve success as a panoramic artist. He emigrated to the United States and initially worked as a mason.
While serving with the Ohio Volunteers during the Civil War, he drew views of the Union campsites. As helpful as his visual aids were during battle, his panoramic drawing style remained popular even after the war was over.
One of his most famous prints is a lithograph of Lincoln’s funeral car passing the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio.
Library of CongressFuneral car of President Abraham Lincoln in Columbus on April 29, 1865.
In the Library of Congress’ collection of illustrated panoramic maps, nearly 213 of them were drawn or published by Ruger. The majority came from Ruger’s personal collection, which the Library purchased in 1941.
In addition to Ruger, the Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division features maps drawn by other notable artists, such as Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler, Lucien R. Burleigh, Henry Wellge, and Oakley H. Bailey.
Print makers such as Currier Ives also created panoramic maps. In mass production, these illustrations became popular wall hangings and symbols of pride — like modern day city wall posters.
The maps were especially popular in states above the Mason-Dixon line. Those states were constantly building cityscapes and bustling with activity, which gave panoramic artists something exciting to show.
But most cities in the American South were still heavily defined by farmland during the Reconstruction. Historians hypothesize that map canvassers may not have had much to depict besides plantation life.
Over the decades, illustrated panoramic maps have fallen in and out of popularity during the rise of photography.
Although mostly contemporary styles of the illustrated maps are produced today, their historical significance suggests that even before social media, Americans have always loved to overshare.
Next, check out 33 maps that explain America better than any textbook ever could. Then take a look at 29 ancient maps that show how our ancestors from the past saw the world.
