OLD TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS

[mohayes1046]

I just received my "old" topographical maps that I purchased off Ebay from "boatguy46" and they are an absolute treasure of information and of far greater value to me than what I paid for them.
They are all 15 minute maps, I would HIGHLY recommend checking him out to see if he has any from your state. He doesn't have time to piece meal them out and is selling them in groups. I feel they are worth checking out if you want old topo's of your state. If you purchase them, you get what he HAS in that bidding parcel.
As with everything on Ebay, buyer be aware of what you are bidding on. As a buyer, I feel comfortable with him.

Mark

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

Treasure maps! I have used them for years, and encouraged many others to do so.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not familiar with topographical maps. What do they show? Also, what's the date you would purchase, 1800's, 1900's?
Thanks

 

[mohayes1046]

I posted this here to give others on the forum a chance to check them out before they were all snapped up by someone else on another forum.

They show the locations of old towns, railroads, individual houses, lakes, rivers, mines and a ton of other information to assist in identification and location of points of interest that are probably not shown on any current maps because those old wooden structures have rotted away, been destroyed, etc.

The railroads show where they were, where the track maintenance camps were and where towns that are non-existent now were.

One of the maps I got actually shows the exact course of the Bozeman Trail that was used in the mid to late 1800's. I was extremely fortunate to have been able find and purchase these maps of Montana as they are scattered over an eighty year period giving accurate information as to the changes over that period. They provide me with a great deal more information than I had hoped and dreamed for. The maps I was able to purchase range from the 1880's to the 1960's and out of 131 maps there were only 2 duplicates.

I'm not sure but it sounds like you aren't familiar with this type of map, but for historical research they are priceless. Poke around your area for a place that carries topographical maps and pick one up to study up on your area and pretty soon you will be able to visualize in your mind what you are seeing on paper.

HH Mark

 

[Mike Chgo area]

covenant_maps

 

[mohayes1046]

I have him listed also in my favorites, his maps are reprints in black and white costing $10.00 plus shipping and unless you are familiar with topo's can be very difficult to read.

The ones I picked up ARE ORIGINALS not reprints. They were from the Hamilton College library, apparently they disposed of them when the USGS stopped producing the 15 minute quads. Fortunately, these were kept together and sold as a group as it would be impossible to even consider collecting these maps one at a time. The University of Montana is here in Missoula and they have many more topo's to fill in my gaps and updates to those I do have to see the progression of time over a given area.

I "stole" these maps by paying his asking price, costing me $0.85 each for the 131 maps delivered. It will cost me a lot more to copy the maps at the university.

God bless.

HH Mark

 

[Mike Chgo area]

n/t