Our collection dates from the late 1880s, when the first quadrangles were produced for Virginia. The mapping project began in 1882 with creation of the U.S. Geological Survey, whose main purpose was to map the United States through these standardized quadrangles. Viewing a quadrangle is like seeing the land from the air, and comparing current editions with earlier ones quickly shows the amount and direction of growth in an area. Houses, churches, airports, roads, railroads, bridges, cemeteries, elevation by contours, latitude and longitude, and even the bench marks used as reference points, are indicated. D.C. The Library no longer receives, but does maintain, quadrangles of several other states.
Indexes are available to help researchers select the quadrangle needed.
This publication is keyed to Virginia's topographic maps by place-name, water and land features, and religious institutions. Support Materials Several periodicals relating to maps are available to Library of Virginia researchers. A selected bibliography of map resources, primarily related to Virginia maps, is also available upon request. Subjects include map history and identification, conservation, books relating to county boundaries and place names, periodicals and related Library of Virginia publications. Many of these books are located in the Map Research Room for reference use.