The collection contains two sections of a large map, published in 1873 and proposed by the commissioners of Cove Lands, depicting the railroad system of Providence. The map shows different stations and tracks, the companies that own them, nearby streets and notable buildings, the proposed locations of new railroads and proposed reorganizations to the existing system. The map is not a full view of Providence and focuses on the downtown area. Notable landmarks depicted by the map include the state prison and the cove basin, and the surrounding area which would later house the Rhode Island Normal School and then the Providence Place Mall. The map was designed by Chief Engineer S.B. Cushing and the commissioners who proposed it are Thomas A. Doyle, James Y. Smith, Nelson W. Aldrich, Joseph J. Cooke, and William Binney.
Researchers are advised to contact Rhode Island College Special Collections for questions regarding permissions to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise publish material from this collection. Although Rhode Island College has physical ownership of the collection, it does not necessarily hold literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
The collection is open for research.
Map Showing the Rearrangement of the Railroad Stations & Tracks in the City of Providence, MSS-0129, Special Collections, James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College.
The collection is arranged in the original order.
The collection was in the holdings of Special Collections prior to 2020.
The collection was described in 2024 by Hydin Stallman, Special Collections student worker, under the supervision of Veronica L. Denison, Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian.
Additional maps of Rhode Island are housed in Special Collections. Please review the
This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact the Rhode Island College Special Collections.