Finding aid for the Grand Rapids Public Library map and atlas collection Collection 240 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on August 31, 2021. Describing Archives: A Content Standard Grand Rapids History and Special Collections 111 Library Street NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 [email protected] URL: https://www.grpl.org/research/history/ Finding aid for the Grand Rapids Public Library map and atlas collection Collection 240 Table of Contents Summary Information ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Biographical / Historical ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Scope and Contents .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................... 6 Related Materials .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Controlled Access Headings ............................................................................................................................... 7 Descriptions ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Collection Inventory ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Series I. Atlases. .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Subseries A. Michigan, Kent County & Grand Rapids related. ............................................................ 8 Subseries B. Non-Michigan, National or International. ...................................................................... 10 Series II. Plat Maps. ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Subseries A. Plat Resources for City of Grand Rapids. (City plats) .................................................. 12 Subseries B. Plat Resources by County. .................................................................................................. 15 Subseries C. Other Michigan Counties. ................................................................................................... 17 Subseries D. Individual Plat Maps ........................................................................................................... 23 Series III. Indexes, Map Guides & Reference Photos. Also Digital versions of maps. ................... 126 Subseries A. Indexes. ................................................................................................................................. 126 Subseries B. Map Guides ........................................................................................................................... 127 Subseries C. Reference Photos. ................................................................................................................ 127 Subseries D. Digital File Versions of Maps .......................................................................................... 128 Series IV. Government Document Maps. ................................................................................................ 128 Subseries A. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bureau of Chemistry & Soils. Soil Survey maps. .............................................................................................................................................................. 128 Subseries B. U.S. Postal Service / U.S. Post Office. .............................................................................. 128 Subseries C. Michigan. ............................................................................................................................... 129 Series V. Greater Grand Rapids & Kent County Miscellaneous Maps .............................................. 130 Subseries A. City Maps .............................................................................................................................. 130 Subseries B. City Planning Maps & Plans ............................................................................................. 131 Subseries C. Neighborhood & Ward Maps ........................................................................................... 132 Subseries D. Cemeteries ............................................................................................................................ 135 Series VI. Pictorial Maps & Map Graphics .............................................................................................. 135 Series VII. Street maps, Road maps or Highway Maps, and Street Guides. .................................... 136 - Page 2 - Finding aid for the Grand Rapids Public Library map and atlas collection Collection 240 Subseries A. Grand Rapids ....................................................................................................................... 136 Subseries B. Kent County Highway / Kent County Road Maps ....................................................... 143 Series VIII. State, Multi-State, National or International Maps. ........................................................ 151 Subseries A. Michigan. .............................................................................................................................. 151 Subseries B. Non-Michigan, National or International. .................................................................... 151 Series IX. Historical & Survey Maps ......................................................................................................... 152 Series X. Recreational and Environmental Education Maps and Guides. ...................................... 156 Series XI. Railroad / Railway Maps ........................................................................................................... 158 Series XII. Great Lakes Maps & Charts .................................................................................................... 159 Series XIII. Rivers, Streams & Lakes ........................................................................................................ 160 Series XIV. National Geographic Maps .................................................................................................... 160 Series XV. Maps from Books ....................................................................................................................... 160 Series XVI. Master Map Index .................................................................................................................... 161 Series XVII. Miscellaneous & Unprocessed Maps .................................................................................. 285 - Page 3 - Finding aid for the Grand Rapids Public Library map and atlas collection Collection 240 Summary Information Repository: Grand Rapids History and Special Collections Title: Grand Rapids Public Library map and atlas collection ID: Collection 240 ID [Archivists 248 Toolkit Database::RESOURCE]: Date: no date Physical 70.3 Linear Feet Description: Physical Location: Maps and atlases are stored in several locations throughout the department. These locations include: GRHSC Local History Public Service Floor (usually not part of Coll. 240) Archival storage: Flat File Drawers Oversized on top of the Flat Files Oversized in Rolled Tubes, including selected rolled items in Charcoal rolled boxes. NE Room. Archives. Boxed materials for Coll. 240 Occasionally hung or in other unique collection ... See the Archivist Note: Maps in books are not included in the map finding aids, unless as an Atlas, or as a graphic clippings, which means that an individual pages has been added as a map. Unfortunately, graphic clippings often come without a citation as to the original source. Language of the English . Material: Abstract: This is a devised collection that was created to document the maps and atlases which are not part of another designated archival collection. Included are over a thousand items, focusing on the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan and Kent County areas. Maps for select areas of Michigan and for the entire state are also available. The collection contains a variety of maps, including historical property surveys, plat maps, street maps, city planning maps, railway maps, recreational maps, river or lake maps, pictorial maps, aerials and geological or topographical maps. ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 4- Finding aid for the Grand Rapids Public Library map and atlas collection Collection 240 Biographical / Historical The maps currently included in Collection 240 date from as early as 1566, with a published "Finaeus Cordiform Map of the World." The handful of pre-19th Century maps are early U.S., Canadian and/or those of British or French influence. Maps of Grand Rapids begin around 1833 with a Plat of the Village of Grand Rapids. The map management database documents a steady flow of one type of map or another from 1833 to the present, though not all of these may be for the Grand Rapids area.