How can I Compare Historical Topo Maps with Current Maps?

Mark H. asks:
I simply love using ExpertGPS software to look at areas before I go, and download gps data after I have been. It is simply great.
Lately I have been looking for topo maps that may be older than what displays. Primary purpose; to view and mark waypoints on terrain before it was flooded and became a lake. I am wanting to find contours on Lake Fork Reservoir before it was flooded. I can see this currently, but as I zoom in the images are after it became a reservoir. How can I zoom in on this area prior to flooding? Thank you.

Historical Topo Map of Acton, Massachusetts, as surveyed in 1886

You can display historical topo maps in ExpertGPS using the Scanned Maps feature. After you’ve found and downloaded an old topo map, you can use ExpertGPS to calibrate it so that your GPS data will appear over it in the correct location.

ExpertGPS lets you switch back and forth between your scanned historical maps and the modern-day USGS topographic maps and aerial photos for that same location. You can mark modern features as waypoints or draw directly on the map to trace old railroad rights-of-way, and then see exactly where they lie on the modern maps and aerial imagery. If you’re a history buff, like researching abandoned railroads, or want to find old farmsteads or house foundations, ExpertGPS can be a huge help in your historical research.

Finding Historical Topo Maps

Try some of these great sites for old US topo maps, or use Google to search for maps for your area

Historical Topo Maps of New England and New York

Historical Topo Maps of California

Historical US Maps at the Perry-Castañeda Library – this site is my favorite resource for scanned maps of all types.

Related Topics
Calibrating Scanned Topo Maps

Updated on 2020-10-26 by Dan Foster

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