Historical Maps of Illinois

Panoramic maps of American cities and towns, often called bird’s-eye views or perspective maps, offer a glimpse into the life of a town or city that is “frozen-in-time”, capturing the town as it appeared from an elevated perspective, and often listing prominent businesses and residents. Spanning most of the 19th century, cartographic artists such as Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler, Oakley H. Bailey and Albert Ruger provided maps that served to promote a city’s commercial and residential potential, often featuring architectural renderings of public and commercial establishments, as well as private homes. These maps stand as a testament to American ambition and hope as a newly created nation faced their bright future.

We are constantly working to expand our collection of historic maps. Please revisit often to see what’s new.