Map of Maps
My obsession with cool hints to the world around us.
I have long been fascinated by maps and am always interested in how people portray place. This is particularly true for my beloved Pacific Northwest and few aspects of research excite me more than coming across a new and unusual map of this region. Over the past few years, I have been combining my cartographic interests with my urban walks. The result it what I call my Where You At map, which I created on google maps.
As you can see on this screen shot, the map has two types of markers. The blue balloons show maps and map-like features around Seattle. The red balloons are simpler: they are features that show direction, such as compasses roses or north pointers. There is some overlap where I couldn’t make up my mind and guess that some of you might not agree with my choices. All are in public spaces and accessible by anyone.
Here’s a sampling of the maps.
A Brigadoon-like map that is not always visible, this etching shows the first map to include Seattle in the great General Land Office (GLO) survey of the United States. Established on May 20, 1785, the survey had a goal of a system of townships that delineated public land into parcels that people could acquire. GLO survey work in Washington Territory began in 1855. Located behind the main Convention Center building in Freeway Park, the map was created in 1998 by Buster Simpson.
Probably my favorite is the Seattle-centric, bronze, bas-relief map of the world, titled “Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way.” The title comes from Bishop George Berkeley’s poem, America or the Muse’s Refuge: A Prophecy, written in 1726, and one of the most famous evocations of America’s destined greatness. Located in the lovely lobby of the Northern Life/Seattle Tower, the map shows no means of transportation on land or sea that is more advanced than the great ship leaving Seattle and the fast moving train headed our way. Nor is any building on the map larger than the one in Seattle, which of course just happens to be the Northern Life Tower. Yay, propaganda!
What some call the Seattle centroid, or the location at which a cutout of the city would balance on the head of a pin, is also known as the Geographic Center of Seattle. Some quibble that recent changes to city boundaries move the centroid south 100 feet or so and others would place it near to but not on this location. Either way, it’s yet another way to envision the city and relationships between the landscape and the urbanscape.
I am particularly fond of these local maps I have found because I feel that many of us are turning away from maps and map reading. Because of smart phones and their ability to tell us where to go (I am guilty of using them), we no longer pull out road maps and get the big picture view of our surroundings and the relationship between where we are, where we are going, and what is around us. In doing so, and in not paying as much attention to the sights on our travels, I think we all suffer by losing connections to our community.
As I am always interested in learning of additional maps to include, so please let me know of any I have missed.
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Robin and Robin, Thanks for your observations. Part of what makes maps so fun is that both the cartographer and the viewer bring their own experiences, needs, and goals, which can lead to confusion, enjoyment, and/or frustration. David
Oh a man after my heart. First I love these hidden treasures you have found engraved on something besides paper.
What I want to address is your last comments about our moving to electronic mapping from the old fashion paper world. I read a book recently which talks about how we orientate in the world and find our way from point A to point B. The author talked about Wayfinding. The ability to go to the same place with little or no clues except that deep memory in our hippocampus. Some of her examples were of the indigenous in the artic. Imagine finding your way with nothing we determine to be a landmark, just snow and ice.
The use of GPS which most people use over and over never really memorizing the streets or their whereabouts has created a generation who have lost the ability to Wayfind. The hippocampus is shrinking and the computer in hand has taken over for us.
They have actually lost the joy and mental exercise of being lost. I go to many places to research lost places in history and love a good estate sale. To get there, I will look at the map on my laptop and write out some brief directions or just get a general feel for where the place is. Then I go. Practiced that for decades.
Earlier this year I went to a new park up by Black Diamond. I printed the trail map and plotted a course along the many trails. As it turned out this place was honeycombed with Mtn Bike trails. Got to my destination and then started back to the parking lot. I got lost in this big forested park. (still on a trail but it wasn't right). My course did not match what I had in my map memory and I realized I was off the edge of the printed map.
But what happened next is I actually knew what direction I needed to go. The trail wound around but eventually I kept turning towards that spot in my head. I found my way back to the main trail and the parking lot. That is true Wayfinding.
Sorry I got so long winded but this orientation of oneself in the world is being lost with the electronic GPS devices. So sad and not sure how that will turn out in the end.