Historical Geography and Contextual GIS: Building a GIS for historical Morgantown neighborhoods

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Historical Geography and Contextual GIS
Building a GIS for historicalMorgantown
neighborhoods

• Susan J. Bergeron, Trevor M. Harris,
• Sophia Harris, and L. Jesse Rouse
• Department of Geology and Geography
• West Virginia University

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Introduction

• Historical landscape analysis
• Historical GIS
• South Park, Morgantown, West Virginia
• Wharf District, Morgantown, West Virginia

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Historical Landscape Analysis

• Holistic landscape interpretation
• Integration of environmental and cultural
  information
• Recognition of context

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Historical Data

• Maps, plan, drawings
• Photographs
• Text descriptions
• Census records, city directories, deeds, etc.

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1927 Sanborn Map Morgantown, WV
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Digitizing Historical Maps
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Contextual Data

• Modern Environmental Data
• DOQQs
• DLG files for roads and rivers and streams
• Modern Boundary Data
• National Register Historic Districts
• Multimedia
• Modern photographs

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South Park neighborhoodMorgantown, WV
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Early development of South Park

• First planned neighborhood in Morgantown
• J. W. Wiles, prominent citizen and financier
• Envisioned as exclusive, upscale community for
  Morgantowns new elite middle class

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South Park Historical GIS

• Spatial context for historical landscape of South
  Park
• Synthesize historical and current information
  about South Park
• Integrate qualitative information including
  historical and modern photographs, census and
  city directory records, and historic district and
  other political boundaries

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Linking Data in the GIS Environment
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Integrating Multimedia
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Using the South Park Historical GIS

• Historical landscape analysis
• continuity and change in South Park
• Urban geography
• issues of community identity

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Wharf District, Morgantown, WV
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Wharf District Historical GIS

• Historical Geography of South Morgantown
• Focus on changes in landscape
• Urban Geography
• Impact of economic and social change
• Impact of gentrification efforts

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Historical Maps
1927 Sanborn Map
1904 Sanborn Map
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Rapid Industrial and Commercial Growth
Mississippi Glass Company early 20th century
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Revitalization in the Wharf District
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Wharf District Internet GIS