Boston Map Mash-Up Hat Trick

These days everyone seems to be mapping this or that with their new found geek tool: Google maps. Bostonist has been fascinated with the Google Map mash-up since we saw them go live. They’ve done everything from mapping the T onto surface streets, telling us about our local sex offender, and brought that fleeting thing called memory maps when Flickr met Google (maybe they frown on it now that Flickr is Yahoo’s). Recently Bostonist stumbled upon a map mash-up that combines a bunch of mashes onto whichever map you prefer, Yahoo, MSN, or the wicked Google format.

StrataVarious is a Boston-based company who’s recently released the MSN and Yahoo versions of their HyperMap Atlas Boston beta test demo, completing the triple threat with the Google map they released in October. Boston gets to benefit from the local company’s “writing what you know” mash-up that, unlike other mashes we’ve stumbled upon, is merely a demo for commercial services. They are map enthusiasts, cartographers, and technophiles—for hire. Our favorite feature: click to zoom the map in the lower right corner and you’ll get an option to overlay the map of 1775 Boston. That’s a pre-Back Bay Boston. What it reveals is that the Silverline would be the only way to travel, and depending on the tide you’ll be able to find out exactly where the Cathedral stop is located. Wait a second, the Cathedral stop? We’re certain it’s actually called Union Park St. Bostonist doesn’t remember a name change debacle, why didn’t the MBTA go with Cathedral? The Union Park stop is about as close to the Cathedral (if not closer) than it is to Union Park. Educated guesses, authoritative answers, and random thoughts are welcome. Please tell us your favorite way to exploit this resource.