NEED MAP HELP

[jimmyjiver]

Hi, Can Anyone Help Me With This Map? What Does This Star Mean ? It's An 1888 Plat Map.. Thank-You

 

[sniffer]

back off the picture a little bit so we can get a better look

 

[jimmyjiver]

Hi, I Borrowed The Map And Gave It Back. The Guy Move Away So I Can't Get Another Picture.. The Road Is To The Right And A House Is Straight In Front Plus You Can See The Railroad Tracks Pictured. There's A Creek About A Half A Mile Away The Rest Is Just Open Land With Nothing Noted On The Map.
Am I Wrong Or What? How Can Backing Away A Picture Change What The Star Symbol Is? ..Thanks

 

[djabend]

Hi jimmyjiver,
Welcome to Treasurenet!
Some maps have a table of symbols to explain some of the cartographic signs used on the drawing; others take for granted that the signs are comprehensible. Other maps have the signs explained in a header paragraph of the atlas, not on the map sheet - this is not often available with a map detached from its atlas.

references: Campbell, E M J: 1962: Beginnings of the Characteristic Sheet to English Maps: Geographical Journal: vol.128: pp.411-415 and figs 1-6

The star symbol could represent something that looks like a star. I would guess in that case that its a windmill.
What area is this a map of? If you do not want to post that information here then PM or email me.
I will try to find another map and see if the symbol is present there as well.
Other then that I am not not sure what it means, hope that was helpful

HH,
Donny

 

[Kentucky Kache]

Did you get the map at a court house? Maybe they can help you.

 

[garyf]

Here's a link to the USGS map symbol page. I don't see the star on it, but....
http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols/

 

[ivan salis]

maybe its a train station? being it is so close to a set of train tracks --- thinking logically makes sense--- train stations were vital spots for towns in the 1880 - 1900 time frame -- having no train depot or stopping spot often killed many "bypassed" small towns turning them into ghost towns --- since folks would move to where the train did stop at , rather that make their life hard toting stuff back and forth.

 

[jimmyjiver]

Hi, Thanks To All That Replied..There Was A Train Station Across The Road About 500 Foot Away. Perhaps It Was A Wind Mill Or Watering Station....Thanks

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Two things come instantly to mind,tho I dont know if this is the case in yours....The North Star Symbol was used by the Underground Railroad to denote where safe havens were......and then Capitols or pending capitols were marked by stars

 

[sniffer]

according to a 1902 kansas atlas, the star symbol was used to mark schools. in the late 1800's the used a school house as the marker, so I guess they switched symbols

 

[jimmyjiver]

Hi, Thanks To All That Responed. Schools On This Map Were Clearly Marked As Schools They Even Had School Numbers Like No.1,No2 Etc. I Am Wondering About This Statement Though..... Underground Railroad to denote where safe havens were.... What's A Safe Haven? Thanks

 

[Mrs Bloom]

Safe haven: a safe place where runaway slaves could go to for food and shelter

 

[jimmyjiver]

Hi, I Don't Believe We Had Slaves Around Here. How Safe Could A Safe Haven Be If It Is Put On A Public Map? Thanks

 

[sniffer]

since it's close to a RR track, it could also be a water tower for the trains

 

[BigChief14]

My guess is windmill/water tower. But I really don't have a clue.