This detailed 1852 map illustrates the area surveyed for the development of water supply lines for Jersey City and Hoboken, providing a vital document for understanding mid-19th-century urban infrastructure planning.
The map is a product of meticulous surveying and engineering work, showcasing the region’s topography, hydrology, and proposed routes for water conveyance systems. Its inclusion in the Report of the Water Commissioners underscores its role as both a technical reference and a planning tool for public works.
The map encompasses a large swath of northern New Jersey, from Newark Bay and the Newark Meadows in the west to Jersey City and Hoboken in the southeast. The Passaic and Hackensack Rivers are prominently featured, reflecting their significance in supplying water to the rapidly growing urban centers. Detailed elevation profiles at the bottom of the map illustrate cross-sections of the surveyed terrain, providing engineers with critical data on the region’s topography.
Several important towns and settlements—such as Belleville, Bloomfield, North Bergen, and Hackensack—are depicted, along with key natural features like salt meadows and marshlands. These wetlands posed significant challenges to constructing water infrastructure, a fact reflected in the detailed attention given to elevation changes and drainage patterns.
The inclusion of detailed survey lines, proposed water conduits, and elevation cross-sections reflects the technical precision required for such an ambitious infrastructure project. By the mid-19th century, growing industrial cities like Jersey City and Hoboken were grappling with public health crises due to inadequate water supplies and poor sanitation. This map represents part of the broader effort to modernize municipal water systems and meet the demands of an expanding population.
The map and the accompanying report were prepared at a time when urban centers in the United States were undergoing rapid transformation. The advent of large-scale municipal water systems was crucial for public health, fire protection, and industrial growth. This project was part of the broader trend toward improving urban infrastructure, influenced by similar waterworks projects in New York City and Philadelphia.
Rarity
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