Old Maps of Washington, District of Columbia for Hiking & Exploration

Hike through history with 38 historic maps of Washington. Explore old trails, ghost towns, and forgotten backroads — perfect for outdoor adventurers and local explorers.

  • Rediscover forgotten places: Map out old mining camps, roads, and footpaths that no longer exist on modern maps.
  • Layer with modern tools: Combine with LiDAR or satellite views to plan hikes through historical terrain.
  • Made for exploration: Popular among hikers, overlanders, and local history lovers.

Use these maps to find adventure and explore the hidden past of Washington.


Washington, DC maps

(38)
  1. 1890 Map of Mt. Vernon
    1890 Map of Mt. Vernon
    1890 Mt. Vernon
    1890 Print · USGS
    Northern Virginia and the capital region appear here in the decade before the turn of the century, showing a landscape of river estates and rail-connected villages. Researchers can trace early property sites and historic river landings from Mt. Vernon to Occoquan and Falls Church.

  2. 1891 Map of Mt. Vernon
    1891 Map of Mt. Vernon
    1891 Mt. Vernon
    1891 Print · USGS
    Northern Virginia and the D.C. area appear here in the late nineteenth century, as the rail-and-river economy connected rural counties to the capital. Researchers can trace ancestral roots through dozens of local landmarks, including Arlington National Cemetery, the Fox Ferry, and historic towns like Occoquan and Vienna.

  3. 1894 Map of Mt. Vernon, 1904 Print
    1894 Map of Mt. Vernon, 1904 Print
    1894 Mt. Vernon
    1904 Print · USGS
    The Potomac River valley south of the capital was still largely a landscape of crossroads and rail depots in the late nineteenth century. Genealogists can trace the rural reaches of Fairfax through landmarks like Arlington National Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, and Tyson Cross Roads.
    6 unique versions available

  4. 1897 Map of Mt. Vernon
    1897 Map of Mt. Vernon
    1897 Mt. Vernon
    1897 Print · USGS
    Northern Virginia and the Potomac River appear in the late nineteenth century as a landscape of rural crossroads and strategic fortifications. Trace the early footprints of Vienna, Herndon, and Manassas along the path of the Southern R. R.
    2 unique versions available

  5. 1899 Map of Patuxent
    1899 Map of Patuxent
    1899 Patuxent
    1899 Print · USGS
    Southern Maryland in the late nineteenth century was a world of river wharves and emerging rail lines. Genealogists can trace family names across landings and settlements like Bladensburg, Upper Marlboro, and Piscataway Reform School before the landscape was modernised.
    3 unique versions available

  6. 1900 Map of Washington
    1900 Map of Washington
    1900 Washington
    1900 Print · USGS
    The capital region at the turn of the century shows a landscape of river-borne commerce and expanding rail lines. Genealogists and historians can trace defunct transport links like the Shepherd Ferry and early suburbs like North Takoma and Jackson City.
    2 unique versions available

  7. 1906 Map of Patuxent
    1906 Map of Patuxent
    1906 Patuxent
    1906 Print · USGS
    The Tidewater region of Maryland and the outskirts of the District of Columbia are shown here at the turn of the century. Researchers can trace the early footprints of Maryland Agril. College, find riverfront infrastructure at Milltown Landing, and follow long-established routes like the Marlboro Turnpike.
    4 unique versions available

  8. 1934 Map of Upper Marlboro (east half)
    1934 Map of Upper Marlboro (east half)
    1934 Upper Marlboro (east half)
    1934 Print · USGS
    Prince George's County is captured here in the mid-1930s as a rural landscape of crossroads communities and evolving rail lines. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots through landmarks like St Luke Ch, Glenarden Sch, and the route of the Chesapeake Beach RR.
    2 unique versions available

  9. 1937 Map of Upper Marlboro
    1937 Map of Upper Marlboro
    1937 Upper Marlboro
    1937 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Prince George’s County is captured here just as modern highways began to intersect its rural rail and school districts. Researchers can find old landmarks like St Barnabas Ch, the Collington Sch, and the busy Pennsylvania railroad line.

  10. 1938 Map of Upper Marlboro
    1938 Map of Upper Marlboro
    1938 Upper Marlboro
    1938 Print · USGS
    Prince George's County at the dawn of the modern era is captured here, showing the rural landscape before the post-war expansion. Researchers can trace family sites near Holy Trinity Ch, follow the Pennsylvania RR line, and locate centers like Rosaryville and Glenn Dale.
    3 unique versions available

  11. 1945 Map of Anacostia
    1945 Map of Anacostia
    1945 Anacostia
    1945 Print · USGS
    Southeast D.C. and Prince George's County are captured here just before the massive post-war suburban boom. Genealogists and local historians can trace the foundations of communities like Silver Hill and Suitland, or locate family landmarks such as Gordons Corner and St Barnabas Ch.
    3 unique versions available

  12. 1945 Map of Alexandria
    1945 Map of Alexandria
    1945 Alexandria
    1945 Print · USGS
    Alexandria and Arlington are shown at the height of the Second World War, featuring the newly built Pentagon Building and a heavy military presence. Researchers can trace historic cemeteries, the sprawling Potomac Yard rail hub, and numerous old fortifications like Fort Reynolds and Fort Willard.

  13. 1945 Map of Washington West
    1945 Map of Washington West
    1945 Washington West
    1945 Print · USGS
    The District of Columbia and its surrounding suburbs appear in detail during the mid-forties, capturing the city's growth and its transition to a modern capital. Researchers can trace historic neighborhoods from Tenleytown to Rosslyn and locate landmarks like the Tomb of Unknown Soldier and Rock Creek Cem.

  14. 1945 Map of Washington East
    1945 Map of Washington East
    1945 Washington East
    1945 Print · USGS
    The eastern suburbs and District neighborhoods show a landscape of rapid mid-century growth along the Anacostia River and rail lines. Researchers can trace historic sites like Riggs Mill, the early aviation grounds of College Park Airport, and dozens of local schools including Taft Jr High Sch.

  15. 1948 Map of Washington
    1948 Map of Washington
    1948 Washington
    1948 Print · USGS
    The Potomac and Chesapeake regions in the late 1940s reveal a landscape of expanding military reach and deep-rooted Tidewater settlements. Trace old rail corridors like the Richmond Fredericksburg & Potomac RR or locate landmarks like the Wakefield Washington Monument and St. Marys College.
    2 unique versions available

  16. 1951 Map of Washington East
    1951 Map of Washington East
    1951 Washington East
    1951 Print · USGS
    The Maryland and District of Columbia borderlands are caught in a period of intense post-war development. Local historians can trace the foundations of the University of Maryland, find the Franciscan Monastery, and locate vanished landmarks like Riggs Mill.

  17. 1951 Map of Washington West
    1951 Map of Washington West
    1951 Washington West
    1951 Print · USGS
    Washington D.C. and its Maryland and Virginia suburbs appear here in the early fifties, just as the metropolitan area was beginning its massive post-war growth. Researchers can locate vanished streetscapes and institutional landmarks like the U S Soldiers Home, Glenwood Cem, and the historic Washington Cathedral.

  18. 1951 Map of Alexandria
    1951 Map of Alexandria
    1951 Alexandria
    1951 Print · USGS
    Greater Alexandria and Arlington are shown here in the early fifties during a period of massive suburban and military expansion. Researchers can trace the mid-century footprints of the Pentagon Building, the extensive rail lines of Potomac Yard, and local landmarks like Beacon Field.

  19. 1951 Map of Anacostia
    1951 Map of Anacostia
    1951 Anacostia
    1951 Print · USGS
    Prince George's County and Southeast D.C. are seen here during their mid-century expansion, blending federal nerve centers with emerging suburban neighborhoods. Genealogists and local historians can trace family roots through the numerous legacy Hebrew Cems, St Johns Ch, and the grounds of St Elizabeths Hospital.

  20. 1956 Map of Anacostia
    1956 Map of Anacostia
    1956 Anacostia
    1956 Print · USGS
    Southeast Washington and Prince George's County are captured during a period of massive mid-century suburban and federal expansion. Genealogists and historians can trace the development of Fairfax Village, locate the Rosecroft Raceway, and find family sites at Cedar Hill Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  21. 1956 Map of Alexandria, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Alexandria, 1958 Print
    1956 Alexandria
    1958 Print · USGS
    Northern Virginia and D.C. are captured here in the mid-fifties during a period of rapid suburban and military growth. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots through neighborhood schools like Hoffman Boston High Sch or locate ancestors at Ivy Hill Cem and Alexandria National Cem.

  22. 1956 Map of Washington West, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Washington West, 1958 Print
    1956 Washington West
    1958 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Washington and its Maryland and Virginia suburbs appear here during a transformative era of growth. Genealogists and historians can trace neighborhood development and find landmarks like Arlington National Cemetery, the U S Capitol, and Georgetown University.

  23. 1956 Map of Washington East, 1959 Print
    1956 Map of Washington East, 1959 Print
    1956 Washington East
    1959 Print · USGS
    The northern reaches of the capital and its Maryland suburbs come into focus during the mid-fifties, showing a landscape defined by institutional campuses and rail lines. Genealogists and historians can trace significant burial grounds like Mt Olivet Cemetery or locate historic landmarks such as Bird Stadium and the National Training School for Boys.

  24. 1957 Map of Washington East, 1962 Print
    1957 Map of Washington East, 1962 Print
    1957 Washington East
    1962 Print · USGS
    The eastern edges of the District and Maryland's inner suburbs are captured here at the height of post-war growth. Researchers can trace the mid-century layout of local landmarks like the National Arboretum, the College Park Airport, and Mt Olivet Cemetery.

  25. 1957 Map of Washington, 1966 Print
    1957 Map of Washington, 1966 Print
    1957 Washington
    1966 Print · USGS
    The mid-Atlantic region during the mid-fifties and early sixties reveals a landscape of growing suburbs and vital military outposts. Researchers can trace historic river towns and shorelines from Alexandria to the Hooper Islands and St Clements Island.
    5 unique versions available

Showing maps 1-25 of 38

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Washington?
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