The History of New York

Mapping Historical New York: A Digital Atlas is an amazing resource that offers an unprecedented look at how Manhattan and Brooklyn were transformed at the end of nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. The interactive map visualizes New York census data from 1850, 1880, and 1910, to reveal how migration, residential, and occupational patterns evolved over the course of 60 years. Using the atlas takes users directly to the doorsteps of historical New Yorkers, locating each individual counted in the census at their home address - sometimes even before the city’s street grid was fully in place.

Using preserved historical maps, city directories, and census records, the Digital Atlas recreates the lived geographies of New Yorkers by race, gender, birthplace, and occupation. This interactive platform invites users to explore both big-picture trends and local stories, down to individual buildings and blocks. With plans to expand to all five boroughs and up to the 1940 census, the Atlas allows you to uncover countless narratives embedded within the city’s rich past. Whether you’re exploring case studies or creating your own visual stories, this is a unique tool for diving deep into the urban history of New York.

If you live in Manhattan or Broadway the map also provides you with a unique insight into the history of your own home. If your home existed in 1850 ( or 1880 or 1910) you can find your building on the map and discover who was actually living there over 150 years ago, including information on their race, gender, place of birth and their occupations. 

For a deeper look at the design and technical enhancements behind Mapping Historical New York, the Stamen team offers a comprehensive overview in their article, Telling the Story of Changing Populations With Mapping Historical New York: A Digital Atlas. This post details Stamen's collaboration with Columbia University’s Center for Spatial Research, outlining how they used advanced cartographic techniques and interactive features to make the historical census data accessible and visually engaging for the map's users.