What about USGS maps from the early 20th century? LVA probably has those as does USGS's headquarters in Reston. And, what about county surveyors' plat books for the period before the state took over the roads in the 1920s-1930s.

Eric G. Grundset
Library Director
DAR Library
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
1776 D St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20006-5303
202-879-3313 (phone)
202-879-3227 (fax)
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-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Tom Magnuson
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 11:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Roads and Land Records: Shenandoah National Park


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
>
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