Old Maps of Boston, Massachusetts for Metal Detecting
Plan your next treasure hunt with 88 historic maps of Boston. 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 Boston.
Boston, MA maps
(88)- 1886 Map of Dedham
1886 Dedham1886 Print · USGSNorfolk County and its neighbors are captured here in the late nineteenth century as the rail networks expanded across eastern Massachusetts. Local historians can trace the routes of the Old Colony Railroad and find early village sites like Furnace Village and Sharon Heights. - 1892 Map of Boston Bay
1892 Boston Bay1892 Print · USGSThe outer harbor and North Shore coastline are captured in the late Victorian era, before modern development reshaped the beaches and islands. Genealogists and maritime historians can trace the early rail lines to Revere Beach or locate historic defenses like Fort Warren and the iconic Boston Light.4 unique versions available - 1893 Map of Boston
1893 Boston1893 Print · USGSGreater Boston and the Massachusetts coast are captured here in the late nineteenth century as streetcar suburbs and rail lines redefined the region. Trace family roots and local history across old neighborhoods like Washington Village, coastal landmarks like Fort Independence, and the sprawling Middlesex Fells.4 unique versions available - 1894 Map of Dedham
1894 Dedham1894 Print · USGSGreater Boston's southern suburbs emerge during the late nineteenth century as a dense network of railroad lines and water-powered industrial centers. Genealogists and historians can trace old neighborhoods from Readville and Endicott to the heights of Great Blue Hill.10 unique versions available - 1903 Map of Boston
1903 Boston1903 Print · USGSThe Greater Boston area and its sprawling rail-and-river network are captured here at the turn of the century. Genealogists and historians can trace neighborhood blocks, the grounds of Tufts College, and military landmarks like Ft. Winthrop and Ft. Independence.13 unique versions available - 1903 Map of Boston Bay
1903 Boston Bay1903 Print · USGSThe Massachusetts North and South Shores are seen here at the turn of the century as a hub of rail-connected maritime life. You can trace the path of old rail divisions to historic coastal landings at Point of Pines, Marblehead, and the naval defenses at Ft. Warren.9 unique versions available - 1919 Map of Dedham
1919 Dedham1919 Print · USGSNorfolk County at the close of the Great War reveals a landscape defined by the Blue Hills Reservation and a dense network of industrial rail lines. Genealogists and historians can trace old neighborhood boundaries in Readville and Islington or locate lost trackside stops along the Old Colony RR. - 1936 Map of Blue Hills
1936 Blue Hills1936 Print · USGSNorfolk County at the height of the Depression reveals a landscape of established academies, hilltop observatories, and early industrial sites. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots through the Blue Hills Cem, Milton Academy, and the American Fireworks Co of Mass. - 1936 Map of Norwood
1936 Norwood1936 Print · USGSNorfolk County in the mid-1930s shows a landscape of busy rail corridors and river-powered industry centered on the Neponset River. Genealogists and historians can trace neighborhood growth through local landmarks like Plumptonville, the Colburn Sch, and the Norwood Central Sta. - 1936 Map of Nantasket
1936 Nantasket1936 Print · USGSThe Massachusetts coastline near Cohasset and Hingham shows a detailed view of beach resorts and rocky harbors in the mid-1930s. Genealogists can trace family footprints around Atlantic, the Damon Sch, and the offshore Minots Ledge Lighthouse. - 1941 Map of Blue Hills
1941 Blue Hills1941 Print · USGSThe Blue Hills south of Boston are shown here at the edge of the pre-war era, before massive highway expansion reshaped Norfolk County. Genealogists and historians can trace the grounds of Thayer Academy, the Blue Hills Cem, and the industrial Fireworks site.4 unique versions available - 1941 Map of Nantasket
1941 Nantasket1941 Print · USGSCoastal Plymouth County in the years before the war shows a landscape defined by maritime heritage and seaside growth. Researchers can trace the development of Kenberma, locate the old Patriot Sch, and study the offshore positions of The Graves and the Boston Lightship.3 unique versions available - 1941 Map of Norwood
1941 Norwood1941 Print · USGSNorfolk County during the mid-1930s shows a landscape of growing town centers and industrial rail corridors along the Neponset River. Researchers can trace local landmarks like the Sharon Sanitorium, Highland Cem, and the specialized Norfolk County Agricultural Sch.3 unique versions available - 1943 Map of Boston
1943 Boston1943 Print · USGSGreater Boston and its southern suburbs appear here during the mobilization of the early 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace the early footprints of Commonwealth Airport, military sites like Fort Winthrop, and local institutions such as Pondville State Hospital. - 1943 Map of Boston North
1943 Boston North1943 Print · USGSGreater Boston's northern suburbs and industrial waterfronts appear in high detail during the early 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace the limits of neighborhoods like Orient Heights and find landmarks like Tufts College and the Mass Soldiers Home. - 1943 Map of Lynn
1943 Lynn1943 Print · USGSThe Massachusetts coastline near the height of the Second World War reveals a landscape heavily shaped by maritime defense and established seaside communities. Researchers can trace the layout of historic harbor defenses like Fort Duvall or locate family landmarks in older settlements such as Beach Bluff, East Saugus, and Germantown. - 1944 Map of Newton
1944 Newton1944 Print · USGSThe western suburbs of Boston thrive in the mid-1940s, defined by the winding Charles River and a dense network of rail lines. Genealogists and local historians can trace family plots and parish boundaries at Newton Cem, St Gabriels Monastery, and the Christian Science Sanatorium. - 1944 Map of Lynn
1944 Lynn1944 Print · USGSCoastal Massachusetts during the mid-forties reveals a world of busy rail lines and seaside neighborhoods from Lynn to Winthrop. Genealogists and historians can trace defunct landmarks like the City Farm, the Black Mine on Nahant, and the sprawling Suffolk Downs Race Track. - 1944 Map of Hull
1944 Hull1944 Print · USGSCoastal Massachusetts at the height of the Second World War is captured here through the harbor's intricate islands and shorelines. Genealogists and maritime historians can trace residential roots in Houghs Neck or study military sites like Ft Andrews and Ft Duvall. - 1944 Map of Boston South
1944 Boston South1944 Print · USGSBoston and its southern neighbors show a dense mid-century network of colleges and coastlines during the 1940s. Trace local roots at Forest Hills Cem, find early campus layouts for Harvard University, or explore the maritime bustle at South Boston and the US Naval Reservation. - 1945 Map of Marblehead South
1945 Marblehead South1945 Print · USGSCoastal Essex County comes to life at the close of the war, showing the intricate shoreline and rail connections of the North Shore. Genealogists and historians can trace the Boston and Maine corridor and locate local landmarks like Castle Rock or the Devereux Beach coastline.3 unique versions available - 1946 Map of Lynn
1946 Lynn1946 Print · USGSThe Massachusetts North Shore thrives at the end of the war, showcasing the dense neighborhoods of Lynn and the coastal recreation of Revere Beach. Genealogists and historians can locate old landmarks like the Pine Grove Cemetery and the military grounds of Ft Heath.3 unique versions available - 1946 Map of Hull
1946 Hull1946 Print · USGSBoston Harbor and the Hull peninsula appear here in the 1940s, revealing a landscape defined by coastal fortifications and seaside neighborhoods. Researchers can trace the military history of Ft Warren and Ft Dawes or find local landmarks like the Long Island Hospital and Boston Light.4 unique versions available - 1946 Map of Boston South
1946 Boston South1946 Print · USGSGreater Boston at the end of the Second World War shows a dense urban landscape of world-class universities and bustling coastal defense. Researchers can trace family sites near Forest Hills Cem or explore institutional history at Fenway Park and Ft Winthrop.3 unique versions available - 1946 Map of Newton
1946 Newton1946 Print · USGSNewton and the western Boston suburbs are captured in the mid-1940s, showcasing a landscape of established estates, institutions, and rail lines. You can trace early 20th-century neighborhoods and landmarks like the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Boston College, and Needham Junction.3 unique versions available
Showing maps 1-25 of 88
Top cities near Boston
- Cambridge historical maps
- Brockton historical maps
- Quincy historical maps
- Lynn historical maps
- Newton historical maps
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Top neighborhoods of Boston
- Roxbury Crossing historical maps
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the different types of historical maps available for Boston?
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