Over the past decade, web-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have transformed spatial analysis. Once restricted to complex desktop software, spatial tools are now accessible directly within a web browser, allowing researchers and students to blend narrative arguments with interactive, location-based data.

For this project, I created an interactive web map focusing on five locations that define my daily life and experience at Carleton College: Willis Hall, Gould Library, Sayles-Hill Campus Center, Burton Hall, and the Recreation Center.

Below is the live interactive web app showing my point dataset and traced building footprints:

Data Source: You can view and download the full raw CSV dataset used to build this map here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MPSeJNYkF6XPyMKYHp3au3CuZeRNA0wCQQP3hpYvO4Q/edit?usp=sharing

To construct this visualization, I followed a structured data-creation and spatial mapping workflow using a custom CSV dataset and ArcGIS Online. I began by selecting five key locations on Carleton’s campus that hold personal significance:Willis Hall, Gould Library, Sayles-Hill Campus Center, Burton Hall, and the Recreation Center. Using Google Maps, I retrieved the exact geographical coordinates for each structure, determined their street addresses, and organized the information into a structured spreadsheet. Crucially, I assigned a standardized TYPE attribute to each location, categorizing them as Academic, Student Center, Residential, or Athletics, alongside concise descriptive text to provide clear context for every point feature.

Once the dataset was complete, I imported the CSV file into ArcGIS Online and applied targeted styling rules to enhance data readability. Instead of displaying generic point markers, I styled the locations using unique colors mapped directly to the TYPE field. This choice allows viewers to immediately distinguish between functional campus spaces, such as differentiating academic study areas from residential dorms or athletic facilities, at a glance.

To complement the point data and give the map greater spatial depth, I digitised building outlines directly within the ArcGIS Online Map Viewer. I created a new polygon feature layer and manually traced the vector footprints of each building using the underlying satellite basemap imagery as a reference. Finally, I saved the complete map, updated its sharing permissions for public access, and deployed it through an ArcGIS Instant Web App template shared with the Hacking the Humanities group.

Reflection: The Potential of Web Mapping in Digital Humanities

Working with spatial data demonstrates how web mapping bridges the gap between qualitative narrative and quantitative geometry. In Digital Humanities (DH), maps serve as far more than static reference illustrations; they act as active environments for spatial analysis.

By combining georeferenced raster imagery (such as historical Sanborn insurance maps) with vector features and rich metadata pop-ups, DH scholars can analyze how physical environments shape social history, cultural movements, and community formation. Platforms like ArcGIS Online make these powerful analytical tools accessible without requiring advanced coding experience, allowing researchers to share interactive, public-facing digital exhibits seamlessly across the web.