These four thematic maps were published in the Annual Report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. Beginning in the early 1870's, population growth exploded and the city lacked the basic infrastructure to support it. In 1874, Congress created a three-person Board of Commissioners to become the permanent government for the District. Over the next several decades, much was done by the Commission to improve living conditions and infrastructure including new sewer lines, paved roads and street cars. These maps reflect the progress of those efforts.

Each map carries the title "Map of the City of Washington..." and is drawn on an identical scale, showing the street pattern of Washington in great detail. Each has a specialized focus and legend, with the titles continuing:

A. ...Showing the Varieties of Street Pavements on January 1st 1887

B. ... Location of Deaths for the Year Ending June 30, 1886...

C. ...Showing the Location of Fatal Cases of Zymotic Diseases for the Year Ending June 30, 1886

D. ...Showing the Location of Fatal Cases of Lung Diseases for the Year Ending June 30, 1886

An important set of four maps that provide a remarkable look into the capital city in the late 1880's.

References:

Condition: A

Issued folding with pleasant, even-age toning. There is an occasional short split at a fold intersection and a few tiny edge tears, else fine. There is a library stamp on the verso of the "Lung Disease" map.