Maps

This map includes the states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and it dates to 1932.

You can learn a lot about how transportation and cities have developed and expanded since 1932 if you compare this map to current maps. Many people today rely solely on web-based maps like their GPS, Google Maps, or maps on their cell phones. Today's maps are kept fairly up-to-date and you can click to view details like business names, restaurant reviews, addresses and phone numbers, and even links to websites. In 1932, however, you did not have the type of instant gratification that we have today. You had to unfold and refold a paper map when you were planning a trip, and new roads were not automatically added to the map so you would have to purchase a new one periodically.

See if you can find an old map. Look to see if your city is located on it, and if you have a city map you can see if your neighborhood road is on the map. Cities have expanded drastically over the past few decades. What might now be a neighborhood used to be farmland. See if you can find out what the land beneath your house used to be.