Historical Maps Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication.

Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Some individual maps may not be reproduced, due to copyright restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [map title], [(Map-####) map identification number], Historical Maps Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
45 Cubic Feet 13 flat file drawers
Abstract:
A collection of maps depicting geographic features, transportation routes, geological composition, historical settlements, themes, property divisions, and political boundaries, ranging in geographic scope from local (Virginia Tech campus maps) to global (world maps).
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [map title], [(Map-####) map identification number], Historical Maps Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains maps that range in geographic scope from local (Virginia Tech campus maps) to global (world maps). Included are road and transportation maps, topographic maps, geological maps, historical maps, thematic maps, property maps, pictorial maps, and political boundary maps, among others. While the collection includes images dating as early as the 16th century, the older maps are represented in the collection only by reproductions. The earliest original map in the collection dates to 1787.

Route maps of specific railways (e.g., Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio Railroad).

Maps of multiple rail lines within a specific state or region (e.g., Railroad Map of Pennsylvania).

Maps of American Civil War battles and campaigns specific to Virginia, including both wartime maps and postbellum interpretive maps. Additional maps may be found with the American Civil War U. S. Coast Survey and Regional Maps and the American Civil War Atlas Maps.

Maps of American Civil War battles and campaigns outside Virginia, including both wartime maps and postbellum interpretive maps.

A set of 20 wartime survey maps (reproductions) produced by the U. S. Coast Survey (accompanied by an index map of the U. S., showing the general locations of the individual surveys), together with other wartime maps depicting multi-state regions.

An incomplete set of maps extracted from a copy of the Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (sometimes referred to as the War of the Rebellion Atlas).

Maps (reproductions) of Virginia counties (and a few wider regions, such as the Lower Shenandoah Valley and South Side of James River), surveyed by Confederate engineers during the American Civil War. For a complete contents list, see the finding aid for Map 0724.

Maps of Blacksburg and portions thereof, including lands of individual property owners. Some maps include surrounding areas of Montgomery County; others include maps of Christiansburg and Radford. Additional Blacksburg maps may be found on maps depicting the Virginia Tech campus and Montgomery County. Blacksburg topographic quadrangle maps are filed with the Topographic Maps.

Maps depicting streets and properties of Christiansburg, Virginia. Additional Christiansburg maps may be found on maps depicting Blacksburg and Montgomery County. Christianburg topographic quadrangle maps are filed with the Topographic Maps.

Maps depicting streets and properties of Radford, Virginia. Additional Radford maps may be found on maps depicting Blacksburg and Montgomery County. Christianburg topographic quadrangle maps are filed with the Topographic Maps.

Maps depicting the county as a whole, as well as specific locations within the county. Additional maps depicting Montgomery County may be found with the Southwest Virginia maps; additional maps of areas within the county may be found among the Topographic Maps.

Maps depicting the region generally encompassed by Lee County in the west and Craig, Roanoke, Franklin, and Henry counties in the east. Also included are two Appalachian Trail maps that, while outside this area, belong to a related set. Maps of areas within this region may also be found among the Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Montgomery County, Topographic Maps, Virginia Cities and Towns, Virginia Counties, and Virginia State Maps.

Topographic quadrangle maps depicting locations within Virginia only.

Maps of Virginia independent cities, towns, and other localities, excluding Montgomery County and Radford. Includes a set of 41 maps relating to Mount Vernon.

Maps depicting individual counties or portions thereof, excluding Montgomery County.

Maps depicting two or more counties within Virginia, excluding areas within the Southwest Virginia region.

Maps depicting the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole, sometimes including adjacent areas of neighboring states. Also included are three maps dated between 1874 and 1880 that depict Virginia and West Virginia together. Additional maps depicting the entire Commonwealth of Virginia may be found within the Mid-Atlantic Region maps and the Eastern United States maps.

Maps of U. S. cities and states outside Virginia. State maps may also be found among the Mid-Atlantic Region maps and the Eastern United States maps.

Maps depicting multiple states in the region generally encompassing Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, with adjacent areas of neighboring states. Related maps may be found with the Eastern United States maps. Three maps dated between 1874 and 1880 that depict Virginia and West Virginia together are filed with the Virginia State Maps.

Maps depicting multi-state U. S. regions east of the Mississippi River. Additional maps may be found with the Mid-Atlantic Region maps and non-Virginia States/Cities maps.

Maps depicting U. S. multi-state regions that, in whole or largely, include areas west of the Mississippi River. Additional maps may be found with the Non-Virginia State/Cities maps.

Maps depicting individual countries in their entirety. Additional maps may be found with maps of the Americas and maps of Africa-Eurasia-Oceania.

Early maps (reproductions) depicting areas generally encompassed within the western hemisphere. Related maps may be found in the World Maps.

A set of maps (reproductions) published in 1648, depicting the historic counties of England, which sometimes differ in names and boundaries from the current administrative counties.

Maps depicting areas generally encompassed within the eastern hemisphere. Additional maps may be found with the World Maps.

Maps depicting the world's nations, regions, and continents as a whole.

Acquisition information:
Individual maps and sets of maps within the Historical Maps Collection have been obtained by Virginia Tech Special Collections and Unviversity Archives through various gifts, purchases, and transfers.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Historical Maps Collection was completed in July, 2025.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized primarily by geographic scope, ranging from Virginia Tech campus maps to world maps. Exceptions to this arrangement include railroad and American Civil War maps, which are positioned at the front of the collection. Individual categories of maps are arranged either alphabetically or chronologically.

Arranged chronologically.

Arranged by state name (e.g., Gettysburg battlefield maps are filed under P for Pennsylvania).

Arranged by plate number.

Arranged by map number in a general alphabetical order.

Arranged chronologically.

Arranged chronologically.

Arranged chronologically

Arranged chronologically.

Arranged alphabetically by quadrangle title. Virginia state index maps are filed at the beginning of the series.

Arranged by name of locality.

Arranged alphabetically by county name.

Arranged alphabetically by map title.

Arranged chronologically.

Arranged alphabetically by name of state (e.g., Atlanta is filed under G, for Georgia). Washington, D.C. is filed under D, District of Columbia.

Arranged chronologically.

Arranged chronologically.

Arranged chronologically.

Arranged chronologically.