Can I still get the older topographic maps?
Yes. Topographic maps originally published as paper documents between 1884-2006 have been scanned and published as the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
Download our historical topographic maps and our more current US Topo maps (published 2009-present) free of charge using TopoView (GeoPDF, GeoTIFF, JPEG, and KMZ formats) or using the USGS Store’s Map Locator (GeoPDF format).
Order paper copies of topographic maps (of any age) through the USGS Store’s Map Locator. Order the maps online or by phone at 1-888-275-8747 (Option #2).
Learn more:
Related Content
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
Where can I find indexes of USGS topographic maps?
How can topographic maps be useful in genealogical research?
Do you offer teacher discounts for your maps and other cost products?
Will US Topo maps become part of the Historical Topographic Map Collection when a newer version is published?
How do I get a full-scale plot of a 1:24,000-scale (7.5-minute) topographic map?
Are USGS topographic maps copyrighted?
How do US Topo maps differ from historical USGS topographic maps?
Do US Topos and The National Map have a layer that shows the Public Land Survey System (PLSS)?
Scanning and georeferencing historical USGS quadrangles
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program is scanning published USGS 1:250,000-scale and larger topographic maps printed between 1884, the inception of the topographic mapping program, and 2006. The goal of this project, which began publishing the Historical Topographic Map Collection in 2011, is to provide access to a digital...
Fishburn, Kristin A.; Davis, Larry R.; Allord, Gregory J.
US Topo—Topographic maps for the Nation
Building on the success of 125 years of mapping, the U.S. Geological Survey created US Topo, a georeferenced digital map produced from The National Map data. US Topo maps are designed to be used like the traditional 7.5-minute quadrangle paper topographic maps for which the U.S. Geological Survey is so well known. However, in contrast to paper-...
Fishburn, Kristin A.; Carswell, William J.
Topographic map symbols
Interpreting the colored lines, areas, and other symbols is the first step in using topographic maps. Features are shown as points, lines, or areas, depending on their size and extent. For example, individual houses may be shown as small black squares. For larger buildings, the actual shapes are mapped. In densely built-up areas, most individual...
Maps for America: cartographic products of the U.S. Geological Survey and others
"Maps for America" was originally published in 1979 as a Centennial Volume commemorating the Geological Survey's hundred years of service (1879 - 1979) in the earth sciences. It was an eminently fitting Centennial Year publication, for, since its establishment, the Geological Survey has continuously carried on an extensive program of mapping to...
Thompson, Morris M.
Historical Maps at Your Fingertips
Earlier this month, the USGS launched “TopoView 2.1”, an enhancement to the current popular TopoView mapping service that lets users discover, interact, and download historical USGS topographic maps scans.
Finding Yourself Outdoors
Updated USGS digital topographic maps feature more trails and other recreation points of interest
Lesson 9a: Accessing US Topo and Historical USGS Topographic Maps
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
A tutorial by USGS scientist and topoView developer Chris Garrity demonstrating how to use topoView version 2.1. TopoView let's you access and download maps free of charge from the USGS's Historical Topographic Map Collection, published between 1884 and 2006.
Resources:
An Introduction to TopoView (version 1.0)
US Topo Story Map – Topographic Maps for the Nation
US Topo Story Map – Topographic Maps for the Nation
1894 U Harpers Ferry, Maryland quadrangle
1894 USGS 30 minute (1:250,000 –scale) quadrangle of the Harpers Ferry, Maryland area.
Scan of the 1886 legacy topographic map quadrangle of the greater Austin, Texas area from the USGS Historic Topographic Map Collection
Scan of the1886 legacy topographic map quadrangle of the greater Austin, Texas area from the USGS Historic Topographic Map Collection
US Topo
US Topo is the next generation of topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Arranged in the familiar 7.5-minute quadrangle format, digital US Topo maps are designed to look and feel (and perform) like the traditional paper topographic maps for which the USGS is so well known. In contrast to paper-based maps, US Topo maps provide modern technical advantages
Carosel Image - portion of 1893 Historical Topographic Map of Boston
Portion of 1893 Historical Topographic Map of Boston.
Portion of 1893 Historical Topographic Map of Boston
Portion of 1893 Historical Topographic Map of Boston, screen capture of a map in the Historical Topographic Map Collection
Scan of the 1921 legacy topographic map quadrangle of the Tupelo, Mississippi area
Scan of the 1921 legacy topographic map quadrangle of the Tupelo, Mississippi area from the USGS
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Historical Topographic Map Collection: Denver, CO 1890
Historical Topographic Map Collection: Denver, CO 1890