Gentlemen's driving map showing the park system of Boston

Toward the end of the 19th century, industrial advances made carriages more affordable, leading to increased mobility for many. Pleasure driving in horse-drawn vehicles, a leisure activity once reserved for wealthier Americans, was now a more widely accessible hobby. Olmsted’s parks featured carriage promenades, and the parkways connecting the Emerald Necklace system were designed as pleasure routes for carriages. Produced in 1892, this map shows Boston’s carriage drives, highlighting the park system; the whips emanating from the title hint at the map’s audience. The map also features streetcar routes for those wishing to reach the parks by another, more affordable, means.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library