A quick link that I've found for Historic USGS Maps in the eastern states:
http://historical.maptech.com/index.cfm
Only a couple of years are represented, but nonetheless, it'll save you
sometime in trudging to an archive.
ahd
On 9/20/06, Tom Magnuson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> 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 Of all the historical documents generally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
> >> instructions
> >> > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > __________ NOD32 1.1764 (20060920) Information __________
> >> >
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> >> > http://www.eset.com
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
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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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>
--
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
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