A handsome birds-eye map of the extensive interurban electric railway network extending from Vancouver as far away as Chilliwack. An inset map shows the lines on Vancouver Island, though not terribly efficiently, as much space is devoted to showing the power transmission lines from the Jordan River power house.
There’s lots of great little details on the map, like little interurban trains running along the route lines, steam trains shown on the main line and busy docks and smoke stacks (always an indicator of industry and progress on these old maps) in and around Vancouver. My favourite bit is the way the mountains obscure the route line between Sumas and Sardis in the bottom right of the map — a lovely bit of pseudo-dimensionality that sells the “birds-eye” aspect of the map wonderfully.
Check out the source link at the bottom of the post to see the map in high-resolution, as well as the rest of the informational booklet that the map was featured in.
The final word: It’s a pity that this example of the map is in such poor physical condition (faded inks, tears and creases), because I’d put it in the Transit Maps vintage maps print collection in a heartbeat otherwise. Rather wonderful. 4 stars!