The Maps                                             
     Panoramic maps of the city of Anniston were constructed in 1887, 1888, and 1903. The maps for 1888 and 1903 are available here for your perusal. The views are drawn as from an airplane, which is mysterious, as flight was still in the future. Actually, the 1903 print itself gives a hint. The artist, C.N. Dry, has drawn himself into the picture, drawing the picture, and is seated somewhere on the southwestern face on the hill behind KMart looking down on the town. We are indebted to the Library of Congress for making these pictures available.
--1903 map drawn by C.N. Dry and published by Charles Hart Litho.
--1888 map drawn and published by E.S. Glover and Shober & Carqueville Litho. Company

     We're pleased to make available two panoramic maps of the city of Anniston. However, in order to use them properly, you'll have to download a free and fully functional copy of a special viewer "plugin" that works with both Netscape and IE that allows you to magnify and zoom around the photos to see the fine detail. Once you have installed the viewer plugin, then place your cursor on the 1888 or 1903 picture below and click. This works best with high speed internet access because the files are very large...from 10-12 megs. One disclaimer: We can not be held responsible if the viewer plugin trashes your computer. All we can say is it worked fine on ours. So....

Step1: Read next two lines carefully.
Step 2: Download and install the free ExpressView Browser Plugin (MrSid) /  Click here.
Step 3: Click on the thumbnail of your choice below to download and view the specially created .sid format picture in detail. The picture and controls will be located in your browser once the picture fully loads. Please note that Internet Explorer doesn't display anything until picture is fully loaded, so be patient.

Read the pages of the ANNISTON HOT BLAST from 1883
A GetCalhoun.com project of historical proportions!

     You know, we think there is one heck of an A+ school report or project contained in this picture for some enterprising youth. Especially since it takes a little work to actually see the picture, we know you'll really enjoy it if you elect to take the time to install the plugin and wait for the picture to download so you can see how it "used to was" here. Surely, the 1888 picture was commissioned by Sam Noble, though we have no way of knowing that. At the very least, you can bet he admired it very much. It's a real work of art.

     We invite tales of old Calhoun County in words and pictures from anyone who has information and would like to share it. We have all the room necessary on our server, so if you would like to become one of our "armchair historians" don't be shy. Share what you know. We all want to hear about it!

Ok, we have shown you ours...now show us yours!
Do you have old pictures to share with us?
If so, click here: I've Got Pictures!