question about topo map

[riverguy]

A little refresher. I have permission to hunt about 200 - 300 acres which has old homesites.

On the topo map it shows six homes represented as small black squares. I know exactly where one is because it was torn just down two years ago. Now there are five other squares that i am wondering if they all represent actual homes or out buildings. The reason I say this is I also know the positions of three log rough hewn corn crib type outbuildings which were also torn down two years ago for tax or insurance reasons.

question, are smaller out buildings indicated on topo maps or just dwellings?

From the one known home site position, should be easy to find the others all within 1/2 mile of each other, plus in those general areas are the very large trees surrounded by a relative free or young growth area that likely indicates a potential home site.

This is the copper spoon I found behind one of the known home sites. Actually I know two known home sites because one still has stone foundation. One dates back to the 1800's.

Well this is my plan, to count off in the proper direction on the topo map. I guess all will be good sites regardless if they are dwellings or outbuildings.

 

[ksdigger]

That's a hard question...I've seen some topo's very detailed showing two or three very destinctive buildings on one home site and on other topo's they show just a square representing an old farm house. If your map shows a square then I would definitely check it out. Let us know how you make out. Good luck!

 

[ndhill1976]

From the Topos I have looked at, some do not show outbuildings and barns, and some do. From what I have seen, it will show a house as a solid black square, and an outbuilding as a square outline, not filled in.

 

[WTnFred]

There are also different revisions of topo maps. I use a 1959 and 1980s and study them for changes in structures and roads.

HH
Fred

 

[Nemo]

Good question.... usually the topo map reflects what the topo map drawer (yes they are drawn) sees on recent air photos. If houses have been added to the air photo then they usually show up in a purple or magenta on newer maps. The best way to figure it out is to obtain some air photos of the are made about the time of the map making. The Microsoft TerraServer website will usually have several versions of air photos for an area. Sometimes the drawer can't tell so outbuilding and houses are given the same color designation.

If looking for old houses compare the oldest county plat maps (usually available through the county clerk, local historical society or genealogical society as reprints) with the topo map. choose any house or outbuilding not on the topo map but on the old plat map.

With experience, you should be able to spy old house sites by clumps of older trees in the middle of fields near old roads.

Hope this helps
Dave Poche

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

If the topo maps are online, you can save the image as a .jpg file and use the Overlay tool in Google Earth. This will superimpose the image onto the modern landscape, making old structures easier to find.

You will need to tweak the image size, but with some practice you will be amazed how the roads line up on both the modern image and the historic topo.

I usually take it one step further. I zoom in far enough to get the exact coordinates (latitude, longitude and altitude) and then I enter the coordinates onto my handheld GPS.

This technique has led me to some remote cellar holes that I had been searching for years.