Indiana University Bloomington Campus

A bold mid-century view of the campus of Indiana University.

This charming bird’s eye view of the campus of Indiana University was issued in the early 1950s as a helpful guide for students in Bloomington. Buildings are individually illustrated and numbered, corresponding to an index in the lower right corner of the sheet. The absence of Jordan and Smithwood Halls indicates the map was issued prior to 1955.

An interesting strapwork cartouche in the lower right mimics earlier designs from the Golden Age of Cartography, and includes the iconic Maxwell Hall Gargoyle at the top. (Though in reality, the statue is technically a grotesque, as it does not function as a conduit for rainwater).

The Indiana University Library has a similar map, dated 1950 and credited to artist E.P. Bardwell. Many thanks to a helpful IU alumnus (Class of ’79) who provided useful information in dating the map.

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