Map: City of Lancaster / Lancaster Co. by Walling, Henry Francis, 1825-1888
Ten Concrete Features / Details
- The streets are organized in a very geometric fashion; they’re mostly rectangular in the center, then become diagonally oriented moving outwards.
- The squares and rectangles that the streets form are not equally sized.
- There are sections labelled 1 through 8.
- Certain landmarks are labelled with their name, but there aren’t many.
- Different sections are colored green, pink, and yellow.
- Limited to no topographical details are present.
- North on the arrowed “compass” does not point directly vertically.
- Pennsylvania Central R. R. is emphasized, its path traced by the map.
- Only the larger roads are named.
- Many different churches/places of worship, public schools, and cemeteries.
Chosen Feature: Many different churches, public schools, and cemeteries.
- Roman Catholic, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, German Reform, African, synagogue
- Cluster of different churches found within one block of one another
- Public schools found in clusters, never a singular school
- Cemeteries drawn in more detail than other landmarks
- Lancaster Cemetery is drawn with elaborate detail, with geometric spiral patterns
- Public schools are neighbored by cemeteries
- Churches are indicated with symbols that have a cross on them
- Simple chapels exist as well
Does the presence of so many different churches, all worshipping different branches of Catholicism and Christianity, and even Judaism, suggest religious freedom and respect in late nineteenth century Lancaster? Especially since the different churches are clustered very close together in some places, this suggests that people of different faiths did in fact coexist peacefully. Pennsylvania — or at least the Lancaster Country region of Pennsylvania — most likely practiced tolerance. How did people of so many faiths arrive in one region though? Did immigrants of all different backgrounds settle there, or did the settlers find different religions in the New World and pass on the practice? I suppose the answers to these questions could be explored through researching history and religion in the area.
In addition, why are there so many cemeteries? The map seems to ascribe a certain level of importance to them by representing them in more detail. Does this have anything to do with respect for the dead? Finally, why are all public schools found in clusters? Were they different grade levels, did they teach different things, were they segregated, etc? Was each cluster its own “system”? These questions prompt research of education in the 1800s.
