Historic Aerial Maps from the 1930's - 1970's

[Charles B]

Hello Ghost Town Gang....

Here's a resource that I thought you would like to check out.
I use this extensively to get the old Aerial photos from the late 1930's of an area and then compare it to more recent photos.
I've found many towns that are completely gone today using this technique.

Historic Aerial Maps from the 1930's - 1970's


Enjoy

 

[Charles B]

When you use Penn Pilot

1. Type in the location that you're looking for
2. Select an Era; the photo dates that you want to look at
3. Select Aerial from the top tool bar
4. Search and use soom to get a better look.

This works well for Western States with no tree cover. It's a little tougher in the East.

 

[kayden]

I use this site probably the most!

 

[fongu]

Nice website. I checked it out and found the small town I was detecting in today.

 

[Charles B]

Hello Fongu,

Did you find anything?
We'd love to see some pictures!

Thanks Again

 

[fongu]

I just found 43 cents in clad and this marble.

[attachment 256812 riverphotos005Custom.jpg] [attachment 256813 riverphotos006Custom.jpg]

 

[chuck ky]

do not see the word aerial or a top tool bar. when i type in all the info all i see to click on is the word help. when i do that all that comes up is a small box with the info for penn. but nothing else. thanks.

 

[Charles B]

Hi Chuck,

Try doing a Google Search on Penn Pilot. That will hopefully get you to the homepage.

 

[Charles B]

Hello Fongu,

Cool marble....I've got a box of them myself. In fact I look for them. Also have a lot of keys that I find. We also hunt the old lumber camps and find axe heads, logging tools, horse tack etc....

 

[chuck ky]

did the google search but it still comes up with penn pilot and only a link to the state of penn.

 

[Charles B]

Penn Pilot

Hello Chuck,

Try this link. If it doesn't work for you, try clearing the cache in your browser. It may be directing you to a prior search.

 

[Charles B]

Hi Chuck,

Here is the URL without linking to it.
Try to copy and paste this into your address bar and see if it works.

http://www.pennpilot.psu.edu/

 

[LabradorBob]

Charles,
When you are on Penn Pilot does it give the date of the map you are looking at?
I haven't messed with it much,but i will.

Labradorbob

 

[Charles B]

Hello Bob,

Penn Pilot will give 3 eras of maps/photos to look at with the oldest in aproximately 1937. The others are in 1957 and 1967. You're able to compare photos of the same areas over about 50 years. Newer photos can be found with Google Earth. These photos are great for overlaying onto maps to see exactly where towns or old ball fields etc...were.

 

[RustyNTX]

n/t

 

[LabradorBob]

I got ya, and thanks!

 

[chuck ky]

can't find the post where you asked about the maps i'm looking at. thats the problem with logging in. if you're not logged in it shows what each message under the topic says but when you log-in it just shows the title. i have not been able to get to any maps. i'm looking for a town in indiana and apparently when you go to penn pilot thru psu.edu all you can get is stuff in penn. thanks.

 

[Larry (IL)]

You are right, the rest of the country is current aerial.

 

[chuck ky]

there is no search link on there. the only one i see is help and that is what i've been clicking, then a small box comes up but it is just for penn. and it asks for the same info again,name of town and era. thanks.

 

[fongu]

did the google search but it still comes up with penn pilot and only a link to the state of penn.

It did the same thing to me, Chuck. But, when I put the name and state of the town and state I was interested in the dialog box and clicked on the little search icon, it took me right to the town I was metal detecting in that weekend.