Historians use maps to better understand the past. Maps can depict the geographic details of a place, or they can show us man-made features which might not exist today. But maps can also show us what has stayed the same. Enjoy this #ThenAndNow featuring #maps.
#Idahohistoryathome

Pictured below, from around 1901, is a map showing the Plymouth Colony Farm Village, Idaho. Mr. William E. Smyth conceived of the village as way to support his irrigation project ideals. The original townsite consisted of 325 acres...

(74-2-19, ISA)

In 1896, with a capitalization of roughly $60,000, Mr. Smyth incorporated New Plymouth Farm Colony, Ltd. Those “colonists,” or settlers, interested in joining purchased 20 shares of stock, which guaranteed them 20 acres of land, and a lot in town. #Idahohistoryathome

As you can see from the map, the townsite featured a unique horseshoe design, which opened to the railroad and river, and represented Smyth’s utopian ideals.

Fast forward to 2020; the layout of New Plymouth has hardly changed. You can search the U.S.G.S. topo maps, like the one pictured from 2020, here and compare your city’s layout today, to that of 100 years ago: https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/ 
(USGS Topographical Quad, New Plymouth, 2020)