Author Archives: Tim Wallace

About Tim Wallace

I don't currently live in Boston, but it sure is my home. I was born in Boston and grew up frustrated by the Sox and mystified by the gigantic hole in Back Bay that existed during the construction of 500 Boylston. Boston is a city that somehow manages to never change while constantly changing. Its people, landscape and history are ripe for the 'graphing'. This blog exists as a case study to that effect. As a Boston native and a visual communication geek, I can't wait to see what we dig up. I hope you can't either.

Observe Memorial Day (within 2 miles)

Posted on May 28, 2011 by

That’s right—it’s Memorial Day weekend. Most of us may not do much in the way of observing (or even noticing) this beyond partaking in the sudden and delicious influx of backyard barbecues (where the Sam seasonal is suddenly summery). And even if we do … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Holiday, Seasonal | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Boston’s Designed Locations

Posted on April 13, 2011 by

A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this image. It shows the location of Sweet Cupcakes in Cambridge. When I saw it, I instantly decided to write a post about how businesses in Boston imagine the space they inhabit through web-based … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Welcome to New Yorkography

Posted on April 1, 2011 by

New York, New York: The greatest town in the universe. You just can’t beat a town with a baseball team so classy that it wears pin-stripes and hotels so expensive that literally no human being can afford to stay for … Continue reading →

Posted in awesome, General | Tagged | 7 Comments

Boston’s Sketchy Appeal

Posted on March 26, 2011 by

The other day a colleague asked me, “Hey Tim, how do you make one of those Google Maps with a pin in it so I can show my friends how to get to my birthday party?” I knew he was … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Unusual Medium | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Boston’s Inner Irish Green

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Boston. Today is a day held in very high esteem among the Boston Irish (by which I mean… everyone). And what better way to celebrate this day cartographically than to showcase the green in our fair … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Holiday, Seasonal, Unusual Medium | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Light Drawing Massachusetts

Posted on February 24, 2011 by

There’s a debate—at least in academic cartography—about what constitutes a map. The first lecture in the introductory course at UW-Madison starts with a slideshow challenging students to determine which images are maps and which are not. Among the “traps” designed … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Photography, Unusual Medium | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Light Drawing Massachusetts

The Mighty Charles

Posted on February 11, 2011 by

I have a special place reserved in my heart for the Charles River. I love it. Sure, sure, most people do, right? It’s a significant river. Heck, Paul Revere crossed that river while embarking on his famous midnight ride. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Transportation | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Map Pinning Boston

Posted on February 2, 2011 by

Bostonography provides us with the perfect forum for sharing bizarre, hybrid posts that randomly incorporate some of our favorite things. There is no doubt that soon enough, I will write something up on gummi candy maps of Roxbury… even if … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Historical, Unusual Medium | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

(Cartographic) Greetings from Boston

Posted on January 10, 2011 by

Ah, postcards. The travel microblogs of yore. For decades they were the preferred (if not only) method for sending updates and short messages from near and far to friends and family. If you ever find yourself bored in an antique … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Geography, Historical, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Kevin Lynch & The Imageable Boston

Posted on December 15, 2010 by

You’re walking around Boston and a friendly stranger approaches you. “Say, I’m new in town. What neighborhood is this?” she asks. You furrow your brow, laugh nervously and say, “Back Bay? South End? Possibly both… or neither.” Then, for fear … Continue reading →

Posted in Geography, Historical, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments