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At the Map Collection, a map is considered historic if:
Our historic map collection includes an extensive collection of topographic maps of Washington state. Although the Map Collection does not actively collect older maps, we do make occasional exceptions for good older maps of Washington state. Most of our historic map collection consists of maps which have been retired from regular circulation. For very rare or original historic maps, please also consult Special Collections.
Not all of our historic maps are listed in the UW Library Catalog. It is very important to ask Map Collection staff for assistance when you are looking for a historic map.
To find historic maps in the UW Library Catalog, go to our Tips for Searching the Catalog.
The Historic Map Cases are not accessible to the public. You must ask staff to bring you maps in your area of interest.
Additional historic maps are housed in Special Collections in the basement of Allen Library South.
No, historic topos and other historic maps do not circulate. To obtain copies, see Options for Copying Maps.
Kroll property maps for the Pacific Northwest
Where: The University of Washington's
Special Collections Reference Folio section. Please ask Special
Collections staff for assistance.
What: Kroll atlases contain detailed parcel maps that show property
lines, tax lot numbers, public parks, utility information, plat names,
and many other features. The Kroll
Map Company has a graphic which details all of the features
depicted on Kroll maps and atlases.
Metsker's Atlases
Where: The University of Washington's
Special Collections Reference Folio section. Special Collections
has a list
of the Metsker atlases in its holdings. Please ask Special Collections
staff for assistance.
What: "These atlases are the most complete collection of
data of the county. Each page is a township map covering approximately
36 square miles. Scales vary from 2" to the mile with most counties
and 4" to the mile for others in congested areas (1/4 townships).
Most atlases do not show complete county coverage due to government
holdings, national forest and parks, wilderness areas etc. Property
names are provided for owners of five acres or more plus showing smaller
lots and plats as well." (Source: Metsker
Maps.)
Sanborn fire insurance maps
Where:
Microform
and Newspaper Collections
Washington:
Microfilm A7766, A9645; Oregon:
Microfilm A7775, A9644; Idaho:
Microfilm A7332, A9643; Alaska:
Microfilm A7353, A9642
Please ask Microform and Newspaper Collections staff for assistance.
What: "The Sanborn map collection consists of a uniform series
of large-scale maps, dating from 1867 to the present and depicting the
commercial, industrial, and residential sections of some twelve thousand
cities and towns in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The maps
were designed to assist fire insurance agents in determining the degree
of hazard associated with a particular property and therefore show the
size, shape, and construction of dwellings, commercial buildings, and
factories as well as fire walls, locations of windows and doors, sprinkler
systems, and types of roofs. The maps also indicate widths and names
of streets, property boundaries, building use, and house and block numbers.
They show the locations of water mains, giving their dimensions, and
of fire alarm boxes and hydrants. Sanborn maps are thus an unrivaled
source of information about the structure and use of buildings in American
cities." (Source: UC
Berkeley's Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps page.)
Cadastral survey field notes and plats for Oregon and Washington
Where:
Maps Media, G4281.B5
1927 W27 (CD-ROMs contain maps only)
Microforms Newspapers
Division, Microfiche M-3066 (maps and field notes)
Survey Plats and Field Notes (Online)
What: A cadaster is a public record, survey, or map of the value,
extent, and ownership of land as a basis of taxation. Cadastral surveys
began in 1851 for the Washington and Oregon areas. They were done by
the General Land Office as part of the Federal Public Land Survey System.
The microfiche set contains original plat maps that show legal boundary
descriptions, and shows terrain and landmarks, such as trees and cabins. This brochure explains more about the
history of the Cadastral Survey.
How to use the microfiche collection:
To use the CD-ROM (scanned maps only), know the township(s) and range(s) for your area of interest. Again, the Map Collection has maps to help determine the township and range for your area.
U.S. Geological Survey topographic mapping of the United States (back to the 1890's for the Pacific Northwest):
Map Index to Topographic Quadrangles of the United States, 1882-1940
/ compiled by Riley Moffat
Maps Reference GA405.M64 1985
This is an index of historic topographic maps.
CIS US Serial Set Index, pt. 14: Index and Carto-Bibliography
of Maps, 1789-1969.
Maps Reference Z1223.Z9
C65 1975 pt. 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d
This resource is an index to over 50,000 maps
that appeared in Congressional journals and administrative reports,
Congressional reports on public and private legislation considered
during each Congress, reports resulting from congressionally commissioned
or conducted investigations, annually submitted reports from Federal
executive agencies and more.
A Cartobibliography of Separately Published U.S. Geological Survey
Special Maps and River Surveys / by Peter L. Stark ; foreword
by Riley Moore Moffat
Maps Atlases Z6027.U5 S7 1989
Early Washington Maps:
A Digital Collection
This site is a collaboration between Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
at the Washington State University and Special Collections and the Map Collection
at the University of Washington Libraries. Spanning three hundred years, the
site includes maps of explorers such as Lewis and Clark, documents ownership
struggles and boundary disputes in the region, shows the development of one
of the last frontiers on the continent, and demonstrates the efforts of the
U.S. government to survey the land.
David Rumsey
Historical Map Collection
David Rumsey is a private collector of rare historic maps who has created
an online database of scanned maps for public use. "The David Rumsey
Historical Map Collection has over 10,000 maps online. The collection
focuses on rare 18th and 19th century North and South America maps and
other cartographic materials. Historic maps of the World, Europe, Asia
and Africa are also represented." The images can be viewed and
downloaded in unusually high detail.
Library
of Congress Map Collections: 1544 - 2004 online
Although the Library of Congress has converted only a small fraction
of its huge cartographic holdings to digital form, it is still an impressive
collection. Themes include cities and towns, conservation, military
battles, etc. Browse for maps by geographic region, subject, creator,
title, or keyword. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be possible
to search by date range.
National
Geographic Map Machine: Historical Maps
This sampling of maps from the Library of Congress collection is worth
exploring.
Maps/GIS Resource
Page (University of Washington Libraries)
This is a collection of websites for cartographic information, organized
by geography, which have been selected by UW librarians.