Welcome to the new home of the Boston Atlas.
The Boston Atlas has been updated with many new features. We have added a new Flash viewer and an improved Java viewer - both supported by a new open-source map server. We will continue to maintain the legacy Java viewer and server for the forseeable future. We hope that these improvements continue to make the Boston Atlas a valuable resource for the community.
Choose Your Viewer :
There are three viewers to choose from - each with its advantages and disadvantages. Consult the table below and choose the viewer that is best suited to your needs.
New Flash Viewer
Flash Viewer Tutorials		 New Java Viewer Legacy Java Viewer
Viewer Capabilities :
New Flash Viewer New Java Viewer Legacy Java Viewer
  • Excellent for general browsing of historical maps and GIS data layers.
  • Provides a list of all available maps or layers within the current map extent.
  • Supports a virtually unlimited number of layers.
  • Provides layer grouping, display order, color, transparency, and masking abilities.
  • Supports user annotation layers.
  • Supports saving and sharing maps.
  • Excellent for general browsing of historical maps and GIS data layers.
  • Excellent choice for those familiar with the legacy Java viewer.
  • Supports point-and-click feature identification for vector layers.
  • Supports 3D VRML visualization.
  • Good for general browsing of historical maps and GIS data layers.
  • Supports point-and-click feature identification for vector layers.
  • Supports 3D VRML visualization.
  • Supports fixed-scale printing; e.g. 1"=100'.
Viewer Limitations :
New Flash Viewer New Java Viewer Legacy Java Viewer
  • Does not support fixed-scale printing.
  • Address locations may not match feature data; e.g. building footprints.
  • Does not support point-and-click feature identification.
  • Does not suppport fixed-scale printing.
  • Address locations may not match feature data; e.g. building footprints.
  • Map is limited to 5 layers.
  • Deprecated - maps and layers will no longer be updated or maintained.
  • Map is limited to 5 layers.