Quite welcome, Andrew. Of all the historical documents generally
accessible, the maps are the most useful for us in finding old routes,
and in particular the Soil Surveys when searching for remnants.
tom
T.R. Magnuson
Trading Path Association
PO Box 643
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-644-0600
www.tradingpath.org
Andrew Deci wrote:
> Mr. Magnuson -
>
> Thank you for reminding me to bring up the maps I've used. I've had the
> opporunity to take a look at the whole series of USGS topo maps
> (current and
> historic), as well as a number of historic maps dating to the Civil War
> period. Most of the broken connections are associated with the actual
> condemnation of the land, during the 20's and 30's, though some were
> likely
> lost before.
>
> I had not thought about using the historic soil surveys you
> mentioned. In
> general, I've gotten more useful information from the historic maps I
> have
> consulted than from my other resources.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Andrew
>
> On 9/20/06, Tom Magnuson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Mr. Deci,
>>
>> You made no mention of the maps consulted in your background research.
>> I suggest that if the connections you're trying find were made or broken
>> in the late 19th or early 20th century you may want to consult soil
>> survey maps for the counties in question. Historical soil surveys show
>> remarkable historic road details. Of course, there will be a range of
>> other historical maps, and the usual sources for orthographic maps that
>> may show the original routes. Again, the Soil Service in each county
>> has very revealing aerial photos, frequently dating to the first
>> generation of aerial photography, of their county.
>>
>> T.R. Magnuson
>> Trading Path Association
>> PO Box 643
>> Hillsborough, NC 27278
>> 919-644-0600
>> www.tradingpath.org
>>
>>
>>
>> Andrew Deci wrote:
>> > Greetings All!
>> >
>> > The company I work for, Dovetail Cultural Resource Group, has
>> > undertaken a
>> > project with the NPS to research the rights of ways and history of
>> roads
>> > connecting properties within Shenandoah National Park to the 'outside
>> > world'. The purpose is to open up access to fire roads, access
>> > points, and
>> > trails that have been currently cut-off.
>> >
>> > My research thus far has focused on locating the properties in
>> question,
>> > conducting chain-of-title research to note any easements on the
>> property,
>> > understanding the condemnation process, and finding the historic roots
>> of
>> > the roads in question. In partiuclar, I'm focusing my work on six
>> roads
>> > located in Warren County, Rappahannock County, Page County, and
>> > Rockingham
>> > County.
>> >
>> > To this point I have not been able to establish any current
>> easements or
>> > rights of way via the chain-of-title research. I have been able to
>> > locate
>> > the owners of the condemned properties that would have been using the
>> > roads,
>> > and have used a NPS publication, "A Database of Shenandoah National
>> Park
>> > Land Records", to understand exactly what each property owner had.
>> > Unfortunately, the resource does not include roads as a data point.
>> >
>> > I have searched the records of both the Department of Conservation and
>> > Recreation and the Commission of Parks for any communication or memos
>> > dealing with roads. None have been noted. In addition, I've taken a
>> > look
>> > at the Boards of Supervisor's minutes for the counties in question,
>> > with no
>> > luck. State highway plat books located in the individual counties
>> > (some of
>> > the roads that are currently on private land were formerly state
>> > highways)
>> > did not provide any additional information.
>> >
>> > I think I have exhausted the resources available, but would like to
>> > hear any
>> > thoughts that you all have.
>> >
>> > Thank you for your assistance.
>> >
>> > Best,
>> >
>> > Andrew Deci
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Andrew H. Deci
>> >
>> > Architectural Historian
>> > Dovetail Cultural Resource Group, LLC
>> >
>> > 304/216-3104
>> > [log in to unmask]
>> >
>> > Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
>> >
>> > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the
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>> > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
>> >
>> >
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Andrew H. Deci
>
> Architectural Historian
> Dovetail Cultural Resource Group, LLC
>
> 304/216-3104
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Fredericksburg, Va. 22401
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
> at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
>
>
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