Hi Diane, The county tax assessor's aerial photographic maps are available for 1999 and 1988. Also, some map images are available from 1977. The USGS NAPP aerial maps are all recent, with usually three maps having been shot during the last decade. The usefulness of the aerial photographic maps is in having an image of the ground that you want to search, and in having a record of recent changes on that ground. The USGS topographic maps have widely varying dates. I have one such map that was originally printed in 1956 and that is the information included when you receive it. Forty year old bridges aren't on the new maps, for that spot on the sea islands (St. Helena and Lady's Islands) near Beaufort, S.C. Other maps that I have are dated 1978 and 1987. It just seems that you get whatever is most recently redrawn for an area. I have no idea whether USGS provides older topographic maps. I haven't yet tried searching their site for old maps. I suppose that that is something to try next! I hope that this has been helpful. Dale ________________________________ Diane LeBlanc wrote: > How far back do these maps begin ? I'm looking for around 1920. I would > also like a topographical map of that era from USGS , but can't find them. > Diane > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Dale E Reddick" <dereddi@hargray.com> > To: <GASCREVE-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 5:28 PM > Subject: [GASCREVE] Regarding maps. > > Hello all, > > Here's how to find the USGS aerial photographic maps: > > NAPP, the National Aerial Photography Program, is an interagency Federal > effort coordinated by the USGS, which uses NAPP products to revise maps. > Other agencies have many other uses for these photographs, which, taken > on roughly a 5-year cycle and produced to rigorous > specifications, cover the entire lower 48 states. The photos are shot > from airplanes flying at 20,000 feet. Each 9-by 9-inch photo (without > enlargement) covers an area a bit more than 5 miles on a side. > > http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/finder_main.pl?dataset_name=NAPP > > Since these maps are printed as 9 by 9 photographs, then it probably > necessary to use either a high-magnification imager or a scanner to view > details on these photos. Once scanned, then review of the aerial maps > can be done with the computer and an image viewing software application. > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > For topographic maps the following site allows you to place orders > online: > > The 7.5-minute map series (1:24,000 scale) is one of several standard > series maps produced by the US Geological Survey (USGS). One inch on a > 7.5 minute map represents 2000 feet on the ground. Paper prints of this > series, which are approximately 22 x 27 inches, can be ordered from > this site. > > http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/finder_main.pl?dataset_name=MAPS_L > ARGE > > Each of these webpages has a way to enter a name or ZIP Code for a > location. Then, just choose the appropriate map for the area you are > interested in. > > Dale E. Reddick > > ============================== > Search ALL of RootsWeb's mailing lists in real time. > RootsWeb's Personalized Mailing Lists: > http://pml.rootsweb.com/ > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/