1-What is the map’s call number?

NYC- [1921?] F1

2-What is the map’s title (if available)?

“Brooklyn Heights”

3-Which collection does the map belong to?

Flat Maps Collection.

4-When was it made?

It was made in 1921.

Physical description of the map:

5-What size is the map (approximately)?

It was about 12×8 inches

6-What colors does it use?

The key had two colors to differentiate both lines on the transit but the actual drawing consisted of black and white colors.

7-What materials were used to make the map?

The materials used in making this map is paper and ink.

8-Who made the map?

The creator of this make is Ohman Map C.O. HB Peterson.

Map content:

9-What location does the map depict?

The location that this map depicts is Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights.

10-What details does it include?

This map includes a legend, a title, street with names, transit lines, bridges, a river, and name of certain areas.

11-What time period does the map depict?

This map depicts the time period of the 1920’s.

Is this the same as the time when it was made?

Yes. It looks very old and the age seems to correlate with the time its depicting.

12-What is familiar to you about the location depicted in the map?

It reminds  me of todays subway map because it shows transit lines in the city that go into Brooklyn. It also shows downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights, and part of Downtown Brooklyn.

Interpretation and Reflection:

13-What is the purpose of the map?

The purpose of this map is to show transit lines that go into Brooklyn Heights.

14-Why did it survive prior to becoming part of the archives at BHS?

It may have been kept well preserved by the creator and eventually made its way into the hands of collectors.

15-Why did BHS incorporate it into its collections?

Brooklyn Historical Society serves to preserve original documents that hold Brooklyn’s rich history. This map is a prime example of a small hint of how Brooklyn was like back in the 1920’s.

16-What is familiar or unfamiliar about the map?

Some of the train stations seem a bit unfamiliar to me, along with some of the street names. Also, I didn’t know that there were only two train lines running back then.

17-What additional information would you want to better understand the map?

I would like a picture of the whole subway map so I would get a better understanding of the transit lines.

18-Where is City Tech in relation to this map?

City Tech is located in what would be modern day Jay St in Downtown Brooklyn.

City Limits by Colson Whitehead starts off sarcastically saying that New York City is the best place ever and that it has ruined other towns and cities for him. However, Colson says that every single person in New York City has their own different version of New York City which results in over eight million different cities. People begin to build their own New York as soon as they lay eyes on it. With each new place and experience a person goes to is another “brick” in their version of New York.New York City is always changing but according to Whitehead, buildings that have been torn down and replaced by new ones will always be there because it was there when he built his New York. Just because the city changes doesn’t mean Colson’s New York will. New York City is always changing and it doesn’t wait for anyone and sometimes we don’t even notice that these buildings are gone before it’s too late. This means that many times, people do not get to say their proper goodbyes. Colson says that he wished he had the chance to say good bye to places he did not get a chance to bid farewell to, including his old apartments. New York City doesn’t wait for anyone and changes everything. Colson mentions in the end that the city doesn’t expect us to stay the same so we should give it the same courtesy.