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
> >
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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
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