Georectified Mosaic of Aerial Images of Baltimore City in 1953

Landscape analyses are typically done using spatially explicit color
aerial imagery. However, working with non-spatial black and white
historical aerial photographs presents several challenges that require
a combination of techniques and approaches. We analyzed 113 aerial
images covering approx. 700 km2 (270 mi2) including all of Baltimore
City, and a portion of Baltimore County surrounding the City. The
images were taken between August 23rd 1952 and February 14th 1953.
High-resolution scans were georeferenced and georectified against
modern satellite imagery of the area and then combined to create a
single raster mosaic. This process converted the images from a
disparate set of photographs into a spatially explicit GIS data set
that can be used to observe changes in land patches over time—and
ultimately integrated with other long-term social, economic, and
ecological data.