Old Maps of Washington, District of Columbia for Metal Detecting
Plan your next treasure hunt with 38 historic maps of Washington. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.
- Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
- Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
- Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.
Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of Washington.
Washington, DC maps
(38)- 1890 Map of Mt. Vernon
1890 Mt. Vernon1890 Print · USGSNorthern 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. - 1891 Map of Mt. Vernon
1891 Mt. Vernon1891 Print · USGSNorthern 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. - 1894 Map of Mt. Vernon, 1904 Print
1894 Mt. Vernon1904 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1897 Map of Mt. Vernon
1897 Mt. Vernon1897 Print · USGSNorthern 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 - 1899 Map of Patuxent
1899 Patuxent1899 Print · USGSSouthern 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 - 1900 Map of Washington
1900 Washington1900 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1906 Map of Patuxent
1906 Patuxent1906 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1934 Map of Upper Marlboro (east half)
1934 Upper Marlboro (east half)1934 Print · USGSPrince 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 - 1937 Map of Upper Marlboro
1937 Upper Marlboro1937 Print · USGSMid-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. - 1938 Map of Upper Marlboro
1938 Upper Marlboro1938 Print · USGSPrince 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 - 1945 Map of Anacostia
1945 Anacostia1945 Print · USGSSoutheast 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 - 1945 Map of Alexandria
1945 Alexandria1945 Print · USGSAlexandria 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. - 1945 Map of Washington West
1945 Washington West1945 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1945 Map of Washington East
1945 Washington East1945 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1948 Map of Washington
1948 Washington1948 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1951 Map of Washington East
1951 Washington East1951 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1951 Map of Washington West
1951 Washington West1951 Print · USGSWashington 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. - 1951 Map of Alexandria
1951 Alexandria1951 Print · USGSGreater 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. - 1951 Map of Anacostia
1951 Anacostia1951 Print · USGSPrince 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. - 1956 Map of Anacostia
1956 Anacostia1956 Print · USGSSoutheast 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 - 1956 Map of Alexandria, 1958 Print
1956 Alexandria1958 Print · USGSNorthern 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. - 1956 Map of Washington West, 1958 Print
1956 Washington West1958 Print · USGSMid-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. - 1956 Map of Washington East, 1959 Print
1956 Washington East1959 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1957 Map of Washington East, 1962 Print
1957 Washington East1962 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1957 Map of Washington, 1966 Print
1957 Washington1966 Print · USGSThe 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
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Frequently asked questions
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