19th-Century Street Maps of Jersey City, NJ

Surviving 1800s Maps of Jersey City

Despite urban transformation, three significant 19th-century street maps of Jersey City have survived and are accessible to researchers and history enthusiasts.

Notable Maps

1. 1825 – "Map of Jersey City and Parts Adjoining in 1825"
   Drawn by Samuel L. Southard. Shows early street grid, property lines, and waterfront before major industrialization.
2. 1869 – "Map of Jersey City"
   Published by W.S. Pendleton's Lithography (Boston). Depicts post-Civil War expansion, rail lines, and ward boundaries.
3. 1881 – "An 1881 Plat Map of Downtown Jersey City"
   Surveyed by Sanborn, Perris & Berry. Highly detailed fire insurance map showing building footprints, materials, and uses—gold standard for urban historians.

Where to Find Them

• Library of Congress (Digital Collections)
• New Jersey State Archives
• Jersey City Free Public Library – New Jersey Room
• David Rumsey Map Collection (online)

These maps are invaluable for genealogists, urban planners, and anyone tracing Jersey City's evolution from a Dutch settlement to an industrial powerhouse.