UPDATE: Suffolk County Historical Society — Photo of the Week / 1.6.25 — Chase Map of Suffolk County, 1858

Photo of the Week 

CHASE MAP OF SUFFOLK COUNTY, 1858

—– January 6, 2025 —–

FROM THE SCHS LIBRARY & ARCHIVE

“How shall we know it is us without our past?”
– John Steinbeck 

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The Chace Map of Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, 1858. 

(From the Collection of the Suffolk County Historical Society’s Library & Archive.) 

 

The large 1858 Chace Map hanging on the wall in our Research Library & Archive is one of the finest maps of Suffolk County ever made, as well as one of our most popular resources with library patrons. The map is very large at nearly 5 feet wide and 4 feet tall. The surveys for the map were the work of J. Chace Jr., and the map was published by Robert Pearsall Smith (the cartographer) and John Douglass in 1858.

This monumental map covers Long Island from Huntington to Montauk and Orient Point. Divided into two main sections, upper and lower, the upper section focuses on Huntington, Smithtown, Islip, and Brookhaven (including most of Fire Island and Oak Island). The lower section covers the eastern end of Long Island, including Brookhaven, Riverhead, Southampton, Southold, East Hampton, Gardiner’s Island, and Shelter Island. The map also includes detailed sections for parts of Amityville, East Setauket, Commack, West Huntington, and many other areas.

The extraordinary detail throughout the entire map is especially noteworthy, with Chace’s survey work being the most accurate and in-depth study of the region undertaken in the first half of the nineteenth century. Chace specified roads, farms, bridges, and the individual family names of various properties. In addition to noting property owners and important households, the map includes business directories for the largest and most important towns, as well as engraved views of the Riverhead Courthouse and of prominent homes in Greenport, Good Ground, and Aquebogue.

Come take a look! The1858 Chace Map is available for viewing during regular library hours (excluding holidays): Wednesday – Friday, 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM, and Saturdays by appointment. Call 631.727.2881 x103 for more information. 

by Wendy Polhemus-Annibell, Head Librarian

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