1930 aerials now cover all of NJ

Boyd

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Installation of an updated version of the 1930 black and white aerials is currently in progress. The new version expands map coverage to the entire state (same as the NJGIN version). Have noticed that the 1930's aerials are one of the most popular maps and since the upgrade only involved about 2gb additional data, this seemed like a good idea.

Existing links should work the same, but you may not be able to access the full map because your browser doesn't realize this change has been made. Clearing your browser cache should fix this, or you can just wait and eventually (could take several days) the browser will "phone home" and load the new data.

At the moment, the old map is being deleted and replaced with the new data which may result in errors if you try to access it. If you have problems with the 1930 aerials, wait a little while and try again. Sorry for any inconvenience, I expect this process to be completed a few minutes after 12:00 noon today.
 
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Boyd

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Everything seems to be working properly now, let me know if you experience any problems. Here's a link to use as a test. If it doesn't work, try reloading the page. You may need to clear your cache if it still doesn't work.

https://boydsmaps.com/#16.00/41.157659/-74.876705/pines1930/0.00/0.00

Screen Shot 2024-10-16 at 12.09.36 PM.png


There's a slight change to the name on the menu (it was previously South NJ).

Screen Shot 2024-10-16 at 12.19.48 PM.png


FWIW, the metadata says that the original 1930's photographs were scanned at a resolution of 6.5 feet/pixel (2 meters/pixel) however they apparently processed them at much higher resolution for the web. I have processed my version at 8 feet/pixel (2.4 meters) which is the web standard for level 16 imagery. Have done some comparisions and don't think there's any value to processing them at higher resolution. See for yourself, here's a comparison between my version (on the left - or top) and the original NJGIN.

https://boydsmaps.com/sync/#16/41.159389/-74.880181/pines1930/0/0/njgin1930/16/0/0
 
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Boyd

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This map is only two weeks old and I already have an upgrade in progress! Originally, I had hoped to cover beyond New Jersey but wasn't finding files. Had another look today and have now downloaded 1924 aerials for New York City and 1928 aerials for Philadelphia. Need to dig further and see what else I can find. Will all be rolled into this map soon.

And I just now came across aerials from the DVRPC (Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission)from the 1950's and 60's that I hadn't seen before. Coverage of at least some of the Pines there. Only hitch is that they aren't georeferenced. That would be a job, but they have index maps that would help.

Am also expanding the 1980's aerials soon to cover all of New Jersey instead of only the pines. Looking for 80's imagery in neighboring states, but seems hard to find.
 
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Boyd

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This map has now been updated with 1924 NYC and 1928 Philadelphia imagery. The name has been changed, but old links to the 1930's aerials will still work, with an alert.

I was initially concerned with the quality of the Philadelphia imagery, which is a muddy sepia.

sepia.png


But it cleaned up real good after converting to grayscale and adjusting the contrast :cool:

grayscale.png


https://boydsmaps.com/#16.00/39.957856/-75.170579/nj1930/0.00/0.00


And here's something interesting for election day! You can see the George Washington Bridge on the NJ aerials which were shot in the "early 1930s". But the bridge wasn't built until 1931, so it doesn't show on the New York side of the river on the 1924 aerials.

https://boydsmaps.com/#15.00/40.851819/-73.953155/nj1930/0.00/0.00

I still can't get over that date - 1924 - one hundred years ago. To put that in perspective, Lindbergh didn't make his trans-atlantic flight until 1927. Quite amazing to have this kind of "time machine" available today.

Expect the usual cache problems accessing the new imagery... sorry. This link may help you clear your cache

 
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Boyd

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As far as the Pines go, there really hasn't been any change in this new map. However, for the areas across the river from Philadelphia, I used the 1928 imagery where it was available. Have not taken any time at all to compare, but you can see some clear differences here, for example. The NJ aerials are from "the early 1930s" - whatever that means. Guessing the Philadelphia imagery is 5 to 7 years older? (the 1928 version will be either on top or on the left, depending on your screen/window size. The original NJGIN imagery is in the other window)

https://boydsmaps.com/sync/#15/39.933708/-75.083085/nj1930/0/0/njgin1930/15/0/0
 
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Boyd

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Just noticed that Atlantic County also has 1940's aerials. Not sure where those would fit since nobody else has imagery from then. Quality seems to vary but some is quite good.

Atsion 1940

atsion1940.png
 

Boyd

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This is the clearest picture I've seen of the Estell house on Stephen Lake. Compare this to the 1980 aerials, all those buildings are long gone. Like I said, probably won't be making a map from these however. But you can directly access the 1940 Atlantic County aerials here.

estell.png
 
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Boyd

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This shot shows the addition of a traffic circle in the right side.

Was just looking at that again. It actually shows much more than just a traffic circle! My version with the 1928 aerials doesn't show Route 38 at all... it hadn't been built yet, that area was still rural! You can see the dividing line between the 1928 and 1930's imagery on the east side of this screenshot.

https://boydsmaps.com/sync/#15/39.940460/-75.009926/nj1930/0/0/legacy24k/15/0/0

38.png


But the NJGIN early 1930's aerials show Rt 38 and the circle. Hard to tell, but it looks like it's still under construction in the 30's.

https://boydsmaps.com/sync/#15/39.940460/-75.009926/nj1930/0/0/njgin1930/15/0/0

1930.png
 
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