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# Historical Mapping

### Fact Sheet 154-99 (November 1999)

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 || Historical Maps  || Researching Historical Maps ||  || The National Archives || The Library of Congress || || U.S. Geological Survey  || Ordering Instructions || Additional Information ||

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### Historical Maps 

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| Section from a 1:62,000-scale map of San Francisco, Calif., June 1915 edition, reprinted in1929. | Section from a 7.5-minute topographic map of San Francisco North, Calif., edited in1996. |

Maps become out of date over time. Maps that are out of date, however, can be useful tohistorians, attorneys, environmentalists, genealogists, and others interested in researching thebackground of a particular area. Local historians can compare a series of maps of the same areacompiled over a long period of time to learn how the area developed. A succession of such mapscan provide a vivid picture of how a place changed over time.

### Researching Historical Maps 

Because different types of historical maps are stored in different collections, they can bedifficult to research. However, with a little perseverance, you can find a map that will suit yourneeds. There are many sources to investigate, ranging from local libraries and historical societies,to State and Federal Government agencies.

The best place to begin research is at a local public or college library. As a first step, youmay want to consider locating some of the following books, all of which are good sources ofinformation for the maphunter:

*Map Collections in the United States and Canada:  A Directory*(compiled by David K.Carrington and Richard W. Stephenson)

*Antique Map Reproductions:  A Directory of Publishers & Distributors of Antique Map,Atlas & Globe Facsimilies & Reproductions*(edited by Gregory C. McIntosh)

*Guide to U.S. Map Resources* (edited by David A. Cobb)

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### The National Archives

 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the official repository of thepermanently valuable records made or accumulated by the U.S. Government, is responsible forpreserving those records and making them available to the public, government officials, andscholars. Among the records in the Cartographic and Architectural Branch of the NARA, aremore than 2 million maps produced by the Federal Government since 1774.

NARA's holdings relate primarily to official functions of the Federal Government, andrecords are arranged by the Federal offices that created or accumulated them. Maps that predatethe Federal Government and 19th-century maps of areas outside the United States are rare amongthe Cartographic and Architectural Branch holdings.

The following publications, which can be viewed online, may prove useful in conductinghistorical map research through NARA:

*General Information Leaflet No. 26Cartographic and Architectural Records*www.archives.gov/publications/general_information_leaflets/26.html

*Special List No. 29List of Selected Maps of States and Territories*www.archives.gov/publications/general_information_leaflets.html

To request a search of the maps and charts, researchers need to provide NARA with asubject, geographic area, and time period. Requests should be addressed to:

Cartographic and Architectural BranchNational Archives8601 Adelphi RoadCollege Park, MD 20740-6001Telephone:  301-713-7040

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### The Library of Congress 

The Library of Congress serves as the research arm of Congress and is recognized as thenational library of the United States. It is the world's largest library and a great resource toscholars and researchers.

In the Geography and Map Division Reading Room of the Library of Congress, researcherscan find the largest and most comprehensive cartographic collection in the world, including morethan 4.5 million maps and 60,000 atlases, as well as a large number of cartographic materials inother formats.

The following publication, which can be viewed online, is useful for conducting historicalmap research through the Library of Congress:

*Library of Congress Geography  and Maps:  An Illustrated Guide*lcweb.loc.gov/rr/geomap/guide

The Geography and Map Division will provide a reasonable amount of basic informationabout materials in its collection and will serve as the library of last resort for research questionswhen local resources have been exhausted. Requests should be directed to:

[email protected]
lcweb.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/

### U.S. Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), established in 1879, has a large number of historical topographic maps dating back to 1879. Recognizing the value of the informationcontained in older maps, the USGS preserves out-of-print maps on microfilm. In this way, theUSGS can limit its vast inventory to the most current maps and still provide copies of oldermaps.

These out-of-print maps are available for purchase as black-and-white photographic paperreproductions. Although more expensive, the precision of the photographic enlargementprocedure results in higher quality prints than electrostatic paper reproductions. However, thesharpness of the reproduction depends on the condition of the original map. Also, becausephotographic paper is sensitive to light and will eventually fade, such reproductions should notbe subjected to bright light for extended periods of time.

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### Ordering Instructions

If your are interested in obtaining a reproduction of a particular map from the  USGS, youcan send a research inquiry to:

ESIC-Reston507 National Center Reston, VA  20192Telephone:  703-648-6045Fax:  703-648-5548

Your letter of inquiry should give as much information as possible, including the State,county, and town or township; year of interest or range of years; as well as the type ofinformation you are seeking on the map; for example, streams and rivers, railroad lines, roads,  orcultural features. A researcher will then be able to determine if any maps in the USGS historicalcollections will suit your needs.

The reproductions are approximately 24 by 30 inches.

Refer to the USGS Maps Price List (stock number 76-0001) for the most recent prices.

### Additional Information

For information on these and other USGS products and services, call 1-888-ASK-USGS, or visit the generalinterest publications Web site on mapping, geography, and related topics at  erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/pubslists/.

For additional information, visit the ask.usgs.gov Web siteor the USGS home page at www.usgs.gov.

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*This document has undergone official review and approval for publications established by theNational Mapping Division, U.S. Geological Survey. Some figures, have been modified or addedto improve the scientific visualization of information.*

Adobe reader can be downloaded for free from Adobe.

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