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Impressive promotional map and bird's-eye view intending to sell property in Harvey, Illinois, now part of the southern Chicago metropolitan area.
The primary side of the sheet includes at the top a color wood-engraving in black, blue, and yellow of Harvey, by W.H. Tyler & Co. of Chicago. In the lower-left is an inset map of Harvey in the context of Chicago and its environs. In the lower-right is a subdivision map of the lots for sale.
The promotional proposition is quite clear; many factories were being built nearby, and the workers in those factories would need houses. Wikipedia summarizes Harvey's experience as a proto-typical Midwestern industrial and then post-industrial town:
Harvey was founded in 1891 by Turlington W. Harvey, a close associate of Dwight Moody, the founder of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Harvey was originally intended as a model town for Christian values and was one of the Temperance Towns. It was closely modeled after the company town of Pullman, which eventually was annexed into the city of Chicago.
The city had its greatest growth in the prosperous postwar years, when it was home to the Buda Engine Co., which was acquired by Allis-Chalmers in 1953. The city reached its peak population in 1980. By this time, it was beginning to suffer losses in jobs and population through restructuring of steel and similar industries. The Dixie Square Mall closed in November 1978. In the 1990s, the city used part of its parking lot as the site for construction of a new main precinct of the Harvey Police Department.
The map can be dated by its many allusions to the Chicago World's Fair (the World's Columbian Exposition) which took place in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World. This makes sense, given the town's founding in 1891. A note on the back of the map says:
Harvey is about twenty-five minutes' ride from Jackson Park where the World's Fair will be held this year. The town will undoubtedly profit largely from the great number of strangers who will visit the Fair, and many of whom will be glad to be quartered so near the grounds, if rooms can be had for them.
Houses erected now will be in active demand as lodging places at good prices; and those who desire to make Harvey their home and do so at once will not only enjoy the privilege of living near the great Exposition, but can share in any profit that may be derived from lodging and boarding those who are not so fortunate.
Which is another reason for taking prompt action in relation to Harvey property.
The printing was done by Kehm, Fietsch & Wilson Co., of 117-119 Lake Street, Chicago.
Rarity
Evidently very rare; no copies located in OCLC nor in general online searches.
