Introduction

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Subject Authority File:

Annotated subject index.

Cartographer Index:

Provides the names of the cartographer, the map title, map date and map number.  The cartographer is the “author” of the map.  He may be the one who compiled the information – such as directing land surveys, assembling historical data, or the one who drew the map.

Acquisition: 

The Free Public Library and Cultural Center of Bayonne acquired most of these maps from the City of Bayonne in 2001.  After a careful examination, it revealed that these maps were in dire need of restoration and preservation.  These maps are subject to potential damage every time they are pulled, copied or handled because of their fragile and brittle condition. Steps have been taken to clean, deicide encapsulate these historic maps for long time preservation, and to provide increased access to a vast audience.  The following maps cover the periods from 1620 to present.  They have been arranged by date, and then by location. 

Background:

In the 1850’s, the peninsula of Bergen Neck consisted of the four villages – Bergen Point, Centreville, Constable Hook and Salterville (on Pamrapo).  On March 16, 1857, the New Jersey Legislature approved the formation of Map and Grade Commission to design streets and avenues throughout the peninsula. After two years, the Commission completed the Ryan Map, which was the first street map and layout for the creation of the Township of Bayonne, in Hudson County, in 1861, with a population of approximately 1300. To proceed with plans for needed streets and avenues, the Township Committee reformed the Map and Grade Commission in 1868.  John Combes, Solon Humphreys, Henry Meigs, Jr., Erastus Randall and Hiram Van Buskirk were appointed to the Commission to revise the original road designs.

After the development of the Jersey City Central Railroad line through the peninsula, residents turned their attention to local road and street development.  The widest street throughout the city was a dirt road, later named Avenue C.  Plank Road (now Broadway), built in 1850, was the only “paved” road at that time.

In 1869, the City of Bayonne was incorporated as a mayor-council form of government with Henry Meigs, Jr., a former New York financer s the first mayor.  His vision for the future and administrative capabilities led the development of the city’s foundation.