Online Map Collection
A selection of historical maps focusing on central Manchester is now available to view in the University Library's Digital Image collections (LUNA).
The maps date from the late 18th century to the middle of the 20th century, and comprise private surveys, detailed Ordnance Survey maps and a selection of plans showing the Manchester Ship Canal and Docks.
Maps can be zoomed into street level to examine detail such as building outlines and functions, mill-owners names and the internal layout of public buildings. The LUNA map collection can be searched by key place names such as Ancoats, Castlefield, Hulme and Ardwick.
- William Green. A Plan of Manchester and Salford, drawn from an actual survey by William Green, begun in the year 1787 and completed in 1794.
William Green produced the first large-scale map of Manchester. It was printed on 18 sheets and was the most detailed authoritative map of Manchester in the 18th century. It shows the town during a period of rapid expansion which would eventually claim the undeveloped pasture fields of Ardwick, Chorlton-Upon Medlock, Collyhurst and Ordsall.
- Joseph Adshead. Adshead’s Twenty Four illustrated maps of the Township of Manchester, 185-1851.
Joseph Adshead’s map of the Township of Manchester accurately depicts Victorian Manchester in 1851, distinguishing between public, private and commercial premises. It identifies individual buildings, and provides details such as courtyard names, and the owners of factories and mills. There are 24 sheets in total, some in black and white and some in colour.
- Ordnance Survey 60 inches to 1 mile series (1:1056). Manchester and Salford. Surveyed 1848-1850, published 1850-1851.
This series, sometimes referred to as the ‘Five Foot Plan’ was only produced for towns with a population of over 4000 at the time of the survey. It is incredibly detailed showing features such has man-holes, lampposts and the interior layout of many buildings such as workhouses, theatres and the Town Hall. All 49 sheets are available to view in LUNA.
- Ordnance Survey Six-inch to 1 mile series (1:10560). Manchester sheet 104, surveyed 1845, published 1848.
This sheet extends from Miles Platting in the North, to Hulme and Chorlon-Upon-Medlock in the South; to the west of the sheet is Pendlebury in Salford which extends to Openshaw in the East. This map provides an overview of the expanding city whilst at the same time offering a rich amount of detail at one of the key periods in Manchester’s history.
- Ordnance Survey County Series. 25 inches to 1 mile (1:2500). Lancashire sheets. Various editions surveyed 1888-1933, published 1892 -1934.
A selection of Lancashire sheets extending as far as Broughton in the north; Rusholme in the south; Droylsden in the east; and Pendleton in the west. In most cases 4 editions of each sheet are available, documenting rich urban change between the 1890’s and 1930’s.
- Ordnance Survey National Grid Series. 1:10560.Surveyed 1948-1955, published 1954-1956.
A selection of 16 maps from this series covers parts of Oldham in the north; Cheadle to the south; Duckinfield to the east and Eccles to the west. These are not as detailed as some of the other series but still offer a satisfying amount of detail for this time period.
- Ship Canal
A small selection of maps show the proposed route of the Manchester Ship Canal and some of the plans include section drawings of warehouses and hydraulic systems as well as detailed measurements of individual docking areas.
A selection of maps held by Manchester Archives and Local Studies (Manchester City Council) is also available from the LUNA map collection.
These comprise:
- Commercial street directory maps dating from 1750's to mid 20th century.
- World War 2 aerial bomb maps (Manchester Blitz maps) Refine your search by typing "aerial" and a key place name (ie "Miles Platting")
For further information about the Manchester Blitz maps please visit: Manchester Archives and Local Studies
To browse entire online map collection connect to LUNA