Map Collections
Critical Thinking

[Detail] Mediolanensis dvcatvs from the atlas [1570].

5) Historical Research Capabilities

. . . Arkansas showing all railroad, cities, towns, villages, post offices, lakes, rivers, etc ., 1898

Set the following scene for students: "You are a railroad magnate who must plan for railroad expansion in the state of your choice. Using the Subject Index for the Transportation and Communication map category, select a state railroad map and find the capital city. Next, research the state and city at the time the map was made."

Students should find the answers to the following questions:

• What were the key industries?
• What were the important surrounding states and cities?
• What competing modes of transportation existed?
• Where were the railroads at the time?

Or, a student might take on the role of mayor of a town that does not have a train station and the task of persuading the railroad company to bring the trains to the town.

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