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.
There are multiple copies of the same map in your Historical Topographic Map Collection that all have the same date. Is there a difference between those maps?
Two or more historical topographic maps with the same date typically result from revisions and reprints. The differences are often minor.
The date used to identify a map is in the lower right corner. If there are multiple editions with the same compilation date, look for additional dates in the lower right portion of the map collar that might differentiate them:
- Date on Map -- The year of base compilation, or the year of a significant revision
- Imprint Year -- The year the map was printed
- Photo Inspection Year -- The year when a photo inspection was last done on the map
- Photo Revision Year -- The year when photos were used to revise a map
- Field Check Year -- The year map content was verified in the field
- Survey Year -- The year when a field survey was completed for the mapped area
- Edit Year -- The year the map was last globally edited or revised
Learn more: Historical Topographic Maps - Preserving the Past
Related
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles. In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos, which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
Do all USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps show the UTM grid?
Historical Topographic Map Collection (1884-2006): The USGS policy about putting a full UTM grid on 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) topographic maps has changed over time. Beginning in the mid-1950s, the grid was indicated by blue ticks around the map at 1,000-meter spacing. In 1979, the ticks were replaced with a full-line black UTM grid. This decision was reversed in 1992, then reversed again in...
What do the different north arrows on a USGS topographic map mean?
A diagram at the bottom of most USGS topographic maps shows three north arrows--true north, grid north, and magnetic north--and the angles between them. Some maps, especially very old maps, do not have this diagram. True north, also called geodetic north or geographic north, is the direction of the line of longitude that bisects the quadrangle. All longitude lines converge to points at the north...
Are there metadata files for USGS topographic maps?
GeoPDF files for both Historical Topographic maps (produced 1884-2006), US Topo maps (produced 2009-present), and OnDemand Topo maps come with an XML metadata file attached to each GeoPDF file. To access the metadata file, download the GeoPDF file, open it in Acrobat Reader, click on the paperclip icon, then select a file from the list that appears (US Topo maps also come with a Map Symbols sheet...
How can topographic maps be useful in genealogical research?
Once you've gathered as many facts about family history and customs as possible, turn to maps to uncover more specific information or to solve historical mysteries. In the United States, birth, death, property, and some other kinds of records are normally kept by county governments. If you can name the place where an ancestor lived, new or old maps of that place might show the county seat where...
Why are USGS historical topographic maps referenced to outdated datums?
In the United States only three horizontal datums are commonly used: The North American Datum of 1927 ( NAD27) uses a starting point at a base station in Meades Ranch, Kansas and the Clarke Ellipsoid to calculate the shape of the Earth. The North American Datum of 1983 ( NAD83) was developed when satellites enabled a better model. NAD83 coordinates can be hundreds of meters away from coordinates...
Why are some of the historical topographic maps yellowed and why do some have extra stamps or marks?
The goals of the Historical Topographic Map Collectio n (HTMC) project are to find, catalog, and georeference all USGS topographic quadrangle maps published prior to 2007. The overall purpose is to preserve the map archive for scientists, historians, and the public. Library copies of maps (many of which have library stamps) were therefore scanned "as is". Map restoration is not part of the current...
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...
How do I get a full-scale plot of a USGS topographic map?
There are three ways to get full-scale plots of USGS topographic quadrangle maps, including H istorical Topographic maps (produced 1884-2006), U S Topo maps (produced 2009-present) or customized OnDemand Topos. Order a paper map from the USGS Store. Use the Store’s Map Locator to find the desired map.* Download a free map file and send it to a local printing business. USGS topographic maps are...
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)
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)
USGS Cartographer at Work
Performing color separation scribing of the culture separate of a USGS topographic map using a swivel graver.
Performing color separation scribing of the culture separate of a USGS topographic map using a swivel graver.
USGS Cartographer at Work
Color separation scribing of the intermediate contours for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber.
Color separation scribing of the intermediate contours for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber.
USGS Cartographer at Work
Using a swivel graver with a steel straight edge to scribe a road onto the culture plate of a topographic map.
Using a swivel graver with a steel straight edge to scribe a road onto the culture plate of a topographic map.
USGS Cartographer at Work
Color separation scribing of the contour plate for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber. This handheld stylist was designed to hold a phonograph needle that was sharpened to engrave a .003" scribed line.
Color separation scribing of the contour plate for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber. This handheld stylist was designed to hold a phonograph needle that was sharpened to engrave a .003" scribed line.
USGS Cartographer at Work
The application of transparent adhesive-backed type to the culture lettering separate of the Miller Peak, AZ 7.5-minute topographic map.
The application of transparent adhesive-backed type to the culture lettering separate of the Miller Peak, AZ 7.5-minute topographic map.
USGS Cartographer at Work
Stereoscopic control point check.
Related
How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles. In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos, which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
Do all USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps show the UTM grid?
Historical Topographic Map Collection (1884-2006): The USGS policy about putting a full UTM grid on 7.5-minute (1:24,000-scale) topographic maps has changed over time. Beginning in the mid-1950s, the grid was indicated by blue ticks around the map at 1,000-meter spacing. In 1979, the ticks were replaced with a full-line black UTM grid. This decision was reversed in 1992, then reversed again in...
What do the different north arrows on a USGS topographic map mean?
A diagram at the bottom of most USGS topographic maps shows three north arrows--true north, grid north, and magnetic north--and the angles between them. Some maps, especially very old maps, do not have this diagram. True north, also called geodetic north or geographic north, is the direction of the line of longitude that bisects the quadrangle. All longitude lines converge to points at the north...
Are there metadata files for USGS topographic maps?
GeoPDF files for both Historical Topographic maps (produced 1884-2006), US Topo maps (produced 2009-present), and OnDemand Topo maps come with an XML metadata file attached to each GeoPDF file. To access the metadata file, download the GeoPDF file, open it in Acrobat Reader, click on the paperclip icon, then select a file from the list that appears (US Topo maps also come with a Map Symbols sheet...
How can topographic maps be useful in genealogical research?
Once you've gathered as many facts about family history and customs as possible, turn to maps to uncover more specific information or to solve historical mysteries. In the United States, birth, death, property, and some other kinds of records are normally kept by county governments. If you can name the place where an ancestor lived, new or old maps of that place might show the county seat where...
Why are USGS historical topographic maps referenced to outdated datums?
In the United States only three horizontal datums are commonly used: The North American Datum of 1927 ( NAD27) uses a starting point at a base station in Meades Ranch, Kansas and the Clarke Ellipsoid to calculate the shape of the Earth. The North American Datum of 1983 ( NAD83) was developed when satellites enabled a better model. NAD83 coordinates can be hundreds of meters away from coordinates...
Why are some of the historical topographic maps yellowed and why do some have extra stamps or marks?
The goals of the Historical Topographic Map Collectio n (HTMC) project are to find, catalog, and georeference all USGS topographic quadrangle maps published prior to 2007. The overall purpose is to preserve the map archive for scientists, historians, and the public. Library copies of maps (many of which have library stamps) were therefore scanned "as is". Map restoration is not part of the current...
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...
How do I get a full-scale plot of a USGS topographic map?
There are three ways to get full-scale plots of USGS topographic quadrangle maps, including H istorical Topographic maps (produced 1884-2006), U S Topo maps (produced 2009-present) or customized OnDemand Topos. Order a paper map from the USGS Store. Use the Store’s Map Locator to find the desired map.* Download a free map file and send it to a local printing business. USGS topographic maps are...
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.
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)
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)
USGS Cartographer at Work
Performing color separation scribing of the culture separate of a USGS topographic map using a swivel graver.
Performing color separation scribing of the culture separate of a USGS topographic map using a swivel graver.
USGS Cartographer at Work
Color separation scribing of the intermediate contours for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber.
Color separation scribing of the intermediate contours for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber.
USGS Cartographer at Work
Using a swivel graver with a steel straight edge to scribe a road onto the culture plate of a topographic map.
Using a swivel graver with a steel straight edge to scribe a road onto the culture plate of a topographic map.
USGS Cartographer at Work
Color separation scribing of the contour plate for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber. This handheld stylist was designed to hold a phonograph needle that was sharpened to engrave a .003" scribed line.
Color separation scribing of the contour plate for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber. This handheld stylist was designed to hold a phonograph needle that was sharpened to engrave a .003" scribed line.
USGS Cartographer at Work
The application of transparent adhesive-backed type to the culture lettering separate of the Miller Peak, AZ 7.5-minute topographic map.
The application of transparent adhesive-backed type to the culture lettering separate of the Miller Peak, AZ 7.5-minute topographic map.
USGS Cartographer at Work
Stereoscopic control point check.
Updated Date: April 1, 2022