Overview
This is a highly detailed, large-format municipal and subdivision map of Ocean City, New Jersey, and its surrounding coastal territories, dated July 1, 1926. It captures the rapid real estate expansion of the South Jersey Shore during the height of the Roaring Twenties, showcasing planned subdivisions, street grids, and coastal waterways.
Story
In July 1926, the Jersey Shore was experiencing an unprecedented real estate boom fueled by post-WWI prosperity and the rise of the automobile. This map was created not just for navigation, but as a blueprint for developers and investors eager to buy into the American dream of a seaside escape. It captures a fleeting moment of optimism just three years before the 1929 stock market crash halted such grand coastal expansions.
Maker / Origin
The map was compiled by W.I. Risley, a highly active civil engineer based in Atlantic City who laid out much of the region's early 20th-century infrastructure. It was published by the partnership of F.B. Dolph and J.A. Stewart, who were prominent regional mapmakers and publishers active in the Mid-Atlantic during the 1920s and 1930s, known for their precise plat and municipal maps.
Condition & Value
The map appears to be in good vintage condition with some visible rippling and light creasing consistent with being rolled or stored prior to framing. There is minor toning to the paper, which is natural for its age.