Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434) 560 Drillfield Drive Newman Library, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Business Number: 540-231-6308 specref@vt.edu URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu
Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Map.0453
Title
Business Section City of Charleston, W. Va Undated
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 28 x 35 in., Folded in half
Creator
Nirenstein's National Realty Map Company
Language
English
.
Abstract
In addition to the detailed map of Charleston W. Va's business section on one side, the reverse of this map contains extensive
description of the city's history and business community.
The map was created by the Nirenstein National Realty Map Company. According to the Archives & Special Collections at the
Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at the University of Connecticut, who noted:
The Nirenstein National Realty Map Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, produced high quality atlases of urban and suburban
businesses and shopping centers. Nathan Nirenstein, who founded the company in 1925, was born in Russia in 1890 and immigrated
to the United States in early 1900s. Before creating the atlas company, he was involved in the real estate business in the
Springfield, Massachusetts, area. The company published atlases for New England, the Middle Atlantic States, New York City,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the Southern states.
Nathan Nirenstein was also a prominent realtor and developer in the city of Springfield, where he owned and operated the Kellogg
Building Realty Trust Company. The company had two subordinate operations, the Harrison Realty Company and Bowles Lunch, Inc.
He personally operated both the atlas company and the real estate company until shortly before his death in 1973 at the age
of 83. His businesses were taken over by his son, David Joel Nirenstein.
Although Nirenstein's National Realty Map Company discontinued its production of updated maps in 1958, an inventory of historically
important maps remained. These maps were sold to libraries and historical societies throughout the United States and Canada,
until the company was finally disbanded in the 1980s.
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