Old Maps of Bay County, Michigan for Metal Detecting

Plan your next treasure hunt with 123 historic maps of Bay County. 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 Bay County.


Bay County, MI maps

(123)
  1. 1916 Map of Bay City
    1916 Map of Bay City
    1916 Bay City
    1916 Print · USGS
    The industrial waterfront of Saginaw Bay comes to life in this survey from the years preceding the Great Depression. Genealogists and historians can trace the early footprints of Bay City, locate rural schools like Sugar School, and follow the old Pere Marquette rail lines.

  2. 1919 Map of Bay City
    1919 Map of Bay City
    1919 Bay City
    1919 Print · USGS
    Bay County at the height of its industrial and rail era shows a landscape defined by the Saginaw River and the bay. Local historians can trace the paths of the Hecla Belt Line and locate landmarks like Amelith, Sugar School, and Wenona Beach.
    2 unique versions available

  3. 1919 Map of Saginaw
    1919 Map of Saginaw
    1919 Saginaw
    1919 Print · USGS
    Saginaw and its river-based industrial corridor are captured here at a peak of rail and water transport just after the Great War. Genealogists and researchers can locate dozens of country schools like Jewett School, the Whatcheer Mine, and local stops such as Frankenmuth Junction.
    3 unique versions available

  4. 1941 Map of Saginaw, 1958 Print
    1941 Map of Saginaw, 1958 Print
    1941 Saginaw
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Saginaw River Valley in the early 1940s reveals a bustling network of river-and-rail industry and rural district schools. Genealogists can trace family landmarks like Frankentrost Sta, Birch Run, and the Crow Island Sch.
    2 unique versions available

  5. 1943 Map of Bay City
    1943 Map of Bay City
    1943 Bay City
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Saginaw River valley and the shores of Saginaw Bay appear here in the midst of the Second World War. Researchers can trace the industrial rail lines of the Pere Marquette or locate vanished local landmarks like Wenona Beach and the Sugar Sch.

  6. 1943 Map of Saginaw
    1943 Map of Saginaw
    1943 Saginaw
    1943 Print · USGS
    Saginaw and its surrounding river valleys are captured here during the wartime era, showing a landscape defined by heavy rail and branching waterways. Genealogists and historians can locate dozens of country schoolhouses like Frankentrost Sch and Popp Sch alongside rail stops at Fosters and Blackmar.

  7. 1954 Map of Midland, 1967 Print
    1954 Map of Midland, 1967 Print
    1954 Midland
    1967 Print · USGS
    Mid-Michigan at the peak of the post-war era shows a landscape balancing industrial growth in Midland with the deep timberlands of the Manistee National Forest. Researchers can trace the legacy of the timber and rail era along the Pennsylvania RR or find family roots in river towns like Chesaning and Big Rapids.
    4 unique versions available

  8. 1954 Map of Flint, 1968 Print
    1954 Map of Flint, 1968 Print
    1954 Flint
    1968 Print · USGS
    The industrial corridor and fertile Thumb region of Michigan come alive in this mid-century survey. Genealogists and historians can trace the rail networks of the Grand Trunk, locate established settlements like Bad Axe and Sandusky, or explore the 1950s shoreline along Saginaw Bay.
    4 unique versions available

  9. 1958 Map of Flint
    1958 Map of Flint
    1958 Flint
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Michigan Thumb and the Saginaw Valley are captured here during the height of the post-war industrial era. Researchers can trace the complex rail networks of the Grand Trunk Western or locate mid-century landmarks like Lakeport State Park and the port at Bay City.
    2 unique versions available

  10. 1958 Map of Midland
    1958 Map of Midland
    1958 Midland
    1958 Print · USGS
    Central Michigan in the late fifties is captured here during a period of transition for its university towns and industrial hubs. Genealogists and researchers can trace family lines through old rail-stop towns like Breckenridge and Chesaning or locate property near the Muskegon River and Prairie Farm.

  11. 1959 Map of Midland
    1959 Map of Midland
    1959 Midland
    1959 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Michigan comes alive in this survey of the central Lower Peninsula, from the streets of Grand Rapids to the Houghton Lake timberlands. Genealogists and rail fans can trace the Ann Arbor RR and Chesapeake and Ohio RR through towns like Big Rapids and Mount Pleasant.

  12. 1962 Map of Willard, 1964 Print
    1962 Map of Willard, 1964 Print
    1962 Willard
    1964 Print · USGS
    Bay County's rural heartland is meticulously detailed in the early sixties, showing the agricultural grids and vital drainage networks of Willard and Lambert. Researchers can trace local genealogy through sites like Zion Cem and Three Churches Corner, or locate historic schoolhouses such as Oxbow Sch.
    2 unique versions available

  13. 1962 Map of Midland South, 1964 Print
    1962 Map of Midland South, 1964 Print
    1962 Midland South
    1964 Print · USGS
    Midland and the Tittabawassee River valley are caught in a period of mid-century industrial and suburban growth. Researchers can trace the footprints of smaller communities like Poseyville and Mapleton or locate the Pine Grove Cem and Church of God.
    4 unique versions available

  14. 1962 Map of Midland North, 1964 Print
    1962 Map of Midland North, 1964 Print
    1962 Midland North
    1964 Print · USGS
    Midland and its northern rural townships are captured here in the early sixties as suburban neighborhoods began to meet the industrial salt-brine fields. Genealogists can locate many local landmarks, from Calvary Cem to country schools like Cassidy Sch and Leiphart Sch.
    2 unique versions available

  15. 1962 Map of Auburn, 1964 Print
    1962 Map of Auburn, 1964 Print
    1962 Auburn
    1964 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Bay and Saginaw Counties come to life in this detailed record of the region's agricultural and aviation growth. Researchers can trace family roots at Township Cemetery or locate the old Grace School and Tri-City Airport.
    2 unique versions available

  16. 1963 Map of Quanicassee, 1964 Print
    1963 Map of Quanicassee, 1964 Print
    1963 Quanicassee
    1964 Print · USGS
    The southern shores of Saginaw Bay come into focus in the early sixties, showing a landscape shaped by coastal marshes and a grid of rural roads. Genealogists and local historians can locate the Van Buren Sch, Mitchell Sch, and the community of Quanicassee at the river's mouth.
    2 unique versions available

  17. 1963 Map of Reese, 1964 Print
    1963 Map of Reese, 1964 Print
    1963 Reese
    1964 Print · USGS
    Mid-Michigan's agricultural heartland is documented here in the early sixties at the intersection of the New York Central and Chesapeake and Ohio railroads. Genealogists and historians can trace local landmarks from Blumfield Corners to Richville, including family-named drains and the St Elizabeth Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  18. 1966 Map of Midland
    1966 Map of Midland
    1966 Midland
    1966 Print · USGS
    Central Michigan in the mid-1960s shows a landscape of growing manufacturing hubs and active resource extraction. Genealogists and historians can trace the rail corridors of the Grand Trunk Western or locate family-named landmarks near Oil wells and the Muskegon River.

  19. 1967 Map of Essexville, 1968 Print
    1967 Map of Essexville, 1968 Print
    1967 Essexville
    1968 Print · USGS
    Late 1960s Essexville and Bay City appear at the height of their mid-century industrial development along the Saginaw River. Genealogists and local historians can locate several parish schools and historic burial grounds, such as St Patrick Cem and Elm Lawn Cemetery.
    3 unique versions available

  20. 1967 Map of Mount Forest, 1969 Print
    1967 Map of Mount Forest, 1969 Print
    1967 Mount Forest
    1969 Print · USGS
    Bay and Arenac counties appear here in the late sixties, showing a landscape defined by drainage canals and the regional oil industry. Genealogists can trace family roots through settlements like Johnsfield and landmarks such as the Bethlehem Ch and Mount Forest.
    2 unique versions available

  21. 1967 Map of Saginaw NE, 1969 Print
    1967 Map of Saginaw NE, 1969 Print
    1967 Saginaw NE
    1969 Print · USGS
    The Saginaw Valley in the late sixties shows a landscape defined by industrial growth and deep-rooted farming communities. Genealogists and researchers can trace local roots through landmarks like St Matthew Ch, the settlement of Frankentrost, and the Buena Vista Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  22. 1967 Map of Bay City NE, 1969 Print
    1967 Map of Bay City NE, 1969 Print
    1967 Bay City NE
    1969 Print · USGS
    Saginaw Bay's industrial and recreational shoreline comes alive in the 1960s as it transitions from busy river channels to protected wildlife areas. Genealogists and historians can trace the rail lines of the Chesapeake and Ohio and the settlement at Aplin Beach.
    2 unique versions available

  23. 1967 Map of Crump, 1969 Print
    1967 Map of Crump, 1969 Print
    1967 Crump
    1969 Print · USGS
    Bay County's agricultural heartland is documented in the late sixties, showing the rural townships of Mount Forest and Pinconning. Genealogists can locate St Marys Cemetery, Garfield-Fraser School, and early settlements like Crump or Woodville.
    2 unique versions available

  24. 1967 Map of Pinconning, 1969 Print
    1967 Map of Pinconning, 1969 Print
    1967 Pinconning
    1969 Print · USGS
    The Saginaw Bay shoreline comes to life in the late sixties as a hub of rail activity and lakeside recreation. Researchers can trace the dual routes of the Penn Central Railroad and the Detroit and Mackinac Railroad or locate local landmarks like St Michaels Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  25. 1967 Map of Kawkawlin, 1969 Print
    1967 Map of Kawkawlin, 1969 Print
    1967 Kawkawlin
    1969 Print · USGS
    Saginaw Bay's shoreline in the late sixties is a mix of growing beach communities and vast protected wetlands. You can trace family roots at St Ann Cem, locate old schoolhouses like Townhall Sch, or follow the Penn Central rail lines through Linwood.
    3 unique versions available

Showing maps 1-25 of 123

Top cities of Bay County


Frequently asked questions

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