The
land case maps collection is among the most heavily used and important
historical collections in The Bancroft Library. The collection comprises
maps found in private land claim cases in the U.S. Northern and Southern
District Courts (ca. 1850-ca. 1890). The maps were used by
California-Mexican land owners to establish legal claim to property and as
such represent an important historical record of land ownership in
California. The maps generally include some descriptive information and
show boundaries, reference points, buildings, and natural features of the
landscape.
Funding to digitize this unique collection was provided by the UC Berkeley
Library and The Bancroft Library. The project took two years to complete
and includes 1862 digital images of the some 1400 maps which, in their
original form, range in size from letter size to over 30 X 40". With the
collection now available online, wear and tear on these important maps can
be reduced while access to researchers can be significantly increased.
View this digital collection:
 http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/hb8489p15p
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