1924 Foster and Reynolds City Plan or Map of Washington D.C.

This is a 1924 plan or map of Washington, D.C., by the Foster and Reynolds Company of New York. This map appeared as the District of Columbia was emerging from the shadow of World War I and stepping into the modern era. This map reflects the city's rapid expansion in this period, fueled by the postwar economic boom and the growing federal government.

A Closer Look

It covers Washington D.C. from Arlington National Cemetery and Georgetown College eastward as far as 28th Street and the Congressional Cemetery and from the Soldiers' Home grounds to the Anacostia River and the War College (southern tip of Washington, D.C.).The map is exceptionally detailed, noting important buildings, monuments, streets, parks, railroads, and an assortment of other topographical details. Other sites of note are the United States Navy Yard, Howard University, and the Zoological Park. The National Mall appears as 'The Mall'. A red stamp over the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument points toward the 'Ask Mr. Foster' information office on 14th Street. The city is divided into four sections marked N.W., S.W., S.E., and N.E. by lines emanating from the Capitol Building. A 'Ready Reference Index' is set in the upper right quadrant. Two short paragraphs in the lower left quadrant detail the geographical divisions of streets and a note on how to use this map.

Publication History and Census

This map was engraved by the Matthews-Northrup Company, makers of the Century Atlas, and published in 1924 by Foster and Reynolds. Foster and Reynolds first issued this map in 1901, but regularly revised for the next 25 years. We note 3 examples of the 1924 edition cataloged in OCLC: Library of Congress, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and the University of Arizona.