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Attempt 1: https://33d8b2c24eb605307ea0635c48868382a9c76f54.googledrive.com/host/0B3qWZoVoqkj0OTlOaGJJb0ZSNjg/
**for attempt 1 the map doesn’t show the first time but if you reload the page it usually shows.
Attempt 2:
https://fde27f0d66c1f67b7b15ffe8436a7c6284d9733d.googledrive.com/host/0B3qWZoVoqkj0bjRJMkxzNHNoOWM/
Geocoding this map using MapTiler demonstrated a couple of challenges of map geocoding. In class we discussed the overwhelming amount of map data available for urban places, and the underwhelming amount available for rural ones. My geocoding experience presents tangible evidence of this phenomena. In my first attempt of geocoding this historical map of Davidson College and its surrounding areas the historical map fit nicely in the areas of Davidson with roads and buildings (bottom right), but was warped tremendously in the surrounding natural areas (at the top). Although Davidson College is not quite an urban center, the differences between the inhabited and uninhabited areas are striking. Without roads or buildings it is very hard to geocode a map. It took me a second try to guess where areas in the historical map corresponded to google maps for the northern part of Davidson’s property, and still my second attempt is not quite perfect. While this small experiment shows that the differences in information for rural versus urban landscapes is quite stark, it also shows that historical mapping processes can inform current map makers of the past human-environment relationships.
Using geocoding as a tool, it would be interesting to measure the “warpness” of historical maps as Davidson college expands into nature. By mapping a series of historical maps on a current google map and viewing the areas being warped, one could distinguish the areas in which the College expands into the surrounding natural area. Do they map the natural areas or leave them sparse? How quickly does the college expand its infrastructure? Is there a way to remove all of the warp in these historical maps? These results could show not only the expansion of the college, but also the fluctuations of valued spaces.
What at first seemed to be a mistake, might just demonstrate one of the benefits of geocoding techniques. By showing warp, MapTiler allows for map makers to develop certain theories about historical maps – in this case about Davidson College’s relationship with the surrounding land.