Maps of Chicago Available from Ball State University Libraries

1929 U.S. Geological Survey map of Chicago

(Wrigley Field can be seen below the Graceland Cemetery).

1939 U.S. Geological Survey map of Chicago

(Note the changes to the lake shore).

Wrigleyville and surroundings

Chicago Neighborhoods map

Wrigley Field 

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Maps in the News:  Chicago and Wrigley Field

The Ball State University Libraries’ GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library includes a large collection of maps of Chicago.  The collection includes street maps, topographic maps, fire insurance maps, tourist guides, architecture plans, and aerial photographs.

Historic maps of Chicago include bird’s-eye view maps that were popular after the Civil War.  This set of illustrated maps includes views of the city from 1868, 1893, 1898, and 1916.  The views include the central business district and a map of the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

One of the oldest maps in the collection of the city dates from 1855, and the Blanchard’s Guide Map of Chicago in the GRMC dates from 1873.  Royal Blue Line Map and Guide to Chicago was published in 1924.  East and West Streets of Chicago was published in 1907.  Road maps of the state of Illinois include maps of Chicago and date back to the 1930’s.

Tourists traveling to Chicago will find a number of maps and guides in the GRMC.  The iMap of Chicago includes a 12-page guide with a compass attached to the map.  Chicago Unfolds is a pop-up map and guide, and The World on the Lake is also a unique tourist guide map.

The GRMC also has all of the U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps for the Chicago area dating back to 1889 (later maps shown above).  Geography students and other researchers use these maps to track the growth of the city and changes to the shore of Lake Michigan.  (The footprint of Wrigley Field is shown on the maps above).

The collection of Chicago maps also includes transit maps, zip code maps, maps of Cook County and the suburbs, architecture guides, and maps focusing on the Loop.  The 2001 Chicago Neighborhoods map (above) identifies the traditional neighborhoods of the city, including Wrigleyville.

The Atlas Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library also includes several street atlases of Chicago.  A folio of Chicago maps and plat maps dating to 1876 can also be found in the Atlas Collection.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer.  Atlases can be borrowed for 28 days or longer.

For more information, please contact the GRMC at 765-285-1097.