Maps

The Rosenberg Library’s extensive cartographic collection holds approximately 1,500 maps documenting the development of cartography for the Gulf Coast region.

The collection consists of original and facsimile maps, charts, and surveys pertaining to Galveston, Galveston Island, Galveston County, Texas, the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and the world. Included are atlases related to the history of exploration and navigation. Cemeteries, the Fire of 1885, the 1900 Storm, lot and block surveys, navigation charts, and the Port of Galveston are among the Galveston topics covered.

Approximately 500 maps have been digitized. Many are available online on the GTHC Digital Collections site. The digital files are currently only available for viewing in the Galveston and Texas History Center's reading room. Reproductions of maps may be ordered here.

Highlights of the map collection include:

• The earliest known map of Galveston Island and Galveston Bay (1721), Plan du Port dans le Golfe du Mexique by French explorer Bénard de la Harpe (1683-1765)
• The first printed map showing Galveston Bay, Bahia de Galvez-Towm. Survey by José Antonio de Evía (1740-?)
• Maps of Eagle Grove Battery on Galveston Island (1862) and Fort Hébert at Virginia Point (1861).
• The earliest bird’s-eye view of a Texas city, Galveston, drawn by Camille N. Drie (1871) and a later view recording Galveston’s tremendous growth by Augustius Koch (1885)
• A map depicting the zones of destruction in Galveston stemming from the 1900 Storm.

114A. Plan du Port decovert dans le Golfe du Mexique du Mexique le 21. D’Aoust 1721…. France. Navy. Paris, 1725. After Bénard de la Harpe, 1722. Ink and watercolor on paper. Mary Moody Northen Maritime History Collection.

200B. Bahia de Galvez-Towm. Spain. Navy. Madrid, 1809-19. Survey by José de Evía, 1783-86. Map no. 34 from the Portulano de America Septentrionale, Madrid, 1809-18. Mary Moody Northen Maritime History Collection.

1195.1B. Fort Hébert, Virginia Point, Texas. Ca. 1862.

341A. Bird’s Eye View of the City of Galveston, Texas. Drawn by C. Drie. Printed by Chicago Lithographing Co. Chicago, 1871.

393A. Galveston, Texas. Drawn by Augustus Koch. N.p., 1885.

456B. The Galveston Storm. Saturday, September 8, 1900. Anonymous. Galveston, 1900.