- Title: 1929 Map of Houston
- Author: Texas Blue Print & Supply Co.
- Date/Location: 1929, Houston
- Condition: See description
- Inches: 29 3/4 x 20 3/4 [Image]
- Centimeters: 75.56 x 52.70 [Image]
- Product ID: 308413
Extraordinarily Rare Map of Houston, Texas
This exceedingly rare map of Houston, Texas, presents a meticulously detailed cartographic representation of the city as it existed in the late 1920s. The map is oriented with north at the top and is framed by a precise grid system, with alphanumeric coordinates along the borders, facilitating easy reference to specific locations within the city. The urban grid is densely packed in the central area, radiating outward with increasingly spacious blocks as one moves toward the periphery, reflecting the city’s rapid expansion during this period.
Prominent on the map are numerous green-shaded areas, which denote parks and public green spaces scattered throughout Houston. The largest of these is located in the western part of the city, likely representing Memorial Park, with additional sizable green spaces to the southwest and southeast, indicating other major parks or recreational areas. Smaller green squares and rectangles are interspersed throughout the urban grid, signifying neighborhood parks or institutional grounds. The city’s street network is rendered in fine detail, with major thoroughfares and rail lines boldly delineated, cutting diagonally across the otherwise rectilinear street pattern. These transportation arteries converge toward the city center, highlighting Houston’s role as a regional hub. Rail lines are particularly prominent, reflecting the importance of rail transport in the city’s economic life at the time.
Various neighborhoods and subdivisions are labeled, and the map includes numerous smaller street names, providing a granular view of Houston’s urban fabric. Outlying areas are less densely developed, with larger tracts of undeveloped land and more irregular street patterns, indicating the city’s ongoing suburbanization. The map also features several industrial and commercial zones, as suggested by the clustering of rail lines and the absence of residential street grids in certain sectors.
The map’s legend, located in the lower right corner, explains the symbols used for parks, schools, and other civic institutions, further enhancing its utility. The overall coloration is subdued, with the green of the parks standing out against the beige and black of the city grid, lending the map both clarity and visual appeal. This map not only serves as a navigational aid but also offers a historical snapshot of Houston’s urban development, infrastructure, and land use at the close of the 1920s, capturing the city in a period of dynamic growth and transformation.
Verso Information
The layout is both practical and information-rich, divided into several distinct sections across a large sheet. On the left, a vertical panel features the map’s stylish cover, with an illustration of downtown skyscrapers and the bold title “Latest Map of Houston.” Beneath the cover image, a concise “Houston in Brief” section provides key facts about the city, including population, area, and civic statistics, giving context to Houston’s rapid growth and urban significance in the late 1920s.
The central portion is dominated by a large, meticulously rendered street map of Houston. The city’s grid is clearly laid out, with major streets, railroads, and bayous crisply delineated. Rail lines cut across the city, emphasizing Houston’s role as a transportation hub, while the winding paths of Buffalo Bayou and other waterways are also depicted, reflecting the city’s unique geography. To the lower left, an inset map shows the “Texas Good Roads System,” illustrating the network of highways and roads connecting Houston to the broader region and neighboring towns, thus situating the city within its wider transportation context.
On the lower right, another inset map provides an enlarged, block-by-block view of downtown Houston. This section is especially detailed, with individual buildings, street names, and notable landmarks labeled, making it a valuable reference for navigating the city’s bustling core. The right half of the map is densely packed with an extensive street index, listing hundreds of street names in alphabetical order alongside grid references. This index allows users to quickly locate any address or intersection, underscoring the map’s utility for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Background on Creator
The Texas Blueprint and Supply Company was a prominent business in Houston during the early 20th century, known especially for its expertise in blueprint production and supply services that catered to the booming architecture, engineering, and construction sectors of the city. The company specialized in creating highly detailed blueprints, maps, and technical documents, which were essential for the rapid urban expansion and infrastructure projects that characterized Houston in the 1920s and 1930s. Their work was marked by precision and reliability, making them a trusted partner for professionals who required accurate and durable reproductions of architectural and engineering plans.
Texas Blueprint and Supply Company’s reputation was built on its ability to deliver large-format prints, technical drawings, and related supplies, supporting the needs of builders and city planners as Houston transformed into a major metropolitan center. The company’s products were widely used not only for construction and development but also for city mapping. Their legacy is reflected in the continued demand for blueprinting and reprographic services in the region, a testament to the foundational role companies like Texas Blueprint and Supply played in shaping Houston’s built environment.
Condition
Age toned, issued folds with minute paper loss. Small tears into margin, expertly repaired. Fine condition for a map of this rarity.
Rarity
Exceedingly Rare. No auction or dealer records in the last 30 years, OCLC lists one example held institutionally.