Old road maps

[twinstarzeon]

Does anyone know of a website where i can view old road maps. I want to see how the road have changed in my area over the last 50 years.

[Buenchico]

I doubt that you'll find what you require what you want online. However, your local record office should have them. It will be listed in your phone book under the name of your county (or unitary) council, not under the name of a district council.

Most record offices require users to register before they can access the collections. They require suitable proof of identity (such as a passport), so I recommend phoning before your visit, to find out what you need to take with you. Like public libraries, there are no charges for accessing the collections at record offices but they often charge large fees for any photocopying which you might require.

Alternatively, if you want large scale maps, covering just a local area, you might be able to buy a suitable map, for just �2.25 each (+ postage), from here:
http://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/

Chris

[VillageVicar]

Apologies, as I can�t offer you advice. But it brought to mind an absolutely brilliant book I read about 20 years ago called Blue Highways, written by William Least Heat Moon. It made the New York Times bestseller list for 8 months. He was an English teacher and caught his wife �in flagrante delicto.� He hopped into his old white panel van, purchased some 30 year old maps of the states, long before the American highway system was built, and followed those old original routes. (The term �blue highway came from the colour of the routes back then�I think). His journey of meeting the most eclectic and sometimes bizarre people as well as his own personal journey of self-discovery touched me deeply. About ten years after the book was written, I chose to follow a similar route. It was one of the most favourite journeys of my life. I visited places such as �French Lick, Truth or Consequences, Flat Bottom, and Wartburg.�

Thanks for the memory�and apologies for waffling on!

Fr Bill

[aristotle]

There's a fascinating site www.old-maps.co.uk which has Ordnance Survey maps from the 19th century but that won't help you.

[SteveD]

Another possibility could be to look out for a local collectors' fair. There could well be someone selling old maps of your area.

Alternatively, have a look on e-Bay (search for "old maps", "UK maps" etc).

[wolf63]

I 'work' in an Oxfam book and music shop and we sell old maps. As we rely on donations from the public the our selection varies all the time. It may be worth a look in some charity shops.

A few people come in looking for maps for the reason as you do. Some people have also written books on the subject. Try inputting the name of your town into sites like Abebooks and see what 'pops up'.