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Old Maps of Essex County, New Jersey

Explore 94 old maps of Essex County, spanning from 1888 to today. These high-resolution historic maps reveal how streets, neighborhoods, landmarks, and natural features evolved over time — perfect for genealogy, metal detecting, research, and local history exploration.

What you can do with these maps:

  • See how Essex County changed over time: Compare historical maps to modern-day views to trace roads, homesites, rail lines & more.
  • View detailed metadata: Each map includes creators, publishers, year, scale, and archive source.
  • Overlay maps with satellite & LiDAR: Visualize the past alongside modern tools to explore terrain & human change.
  • Trusted historical sources: Maps sourced from the USGS, Library of Congress, and other archives.
  • Access maps your way: View online, download high-res files, or order prints for personal or research use.

Start exploring old maps of Essex County to uncover forgotten places, hidden landmarks, and the deep history beneath your feet.

Essex County, NJ maps

(94)
  1. 1888 Map of Plainfield
    1888 Map of Plainfield
    1888 Plainfield
    1888 Print · USGS
    North-central New Jersey is captured in the late nineteenth century as the rail network rapidly transformed small villages into vital industrial hubs. Genealogists and local researchers can trace the early footprints of Perth Amboy, Metuchen, and Dunellen alongside vanished local place names like Samptown.
  4. 1888 Map of Morristown
    1888 Map of Morristown
    1888 Morristown
    1888 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey's transition from an industrial mining hub to a rail-connected suburb is evident in the late 1880s. Genealogists and historians can locate the Hibernia Mine, trace the Morris Canal Feeder, and find old river crossings like Columbia Bridge.
  7. 1888 Map of Paterson
    1888 Map of Paterson
    1888 Paterson
    1888 Print · USGS
    Northeastern New Jersey in the late nineteenth century was a complex network of industrial canals and rising commuter towns. Genealogists and historians can trace the Morris Canal, the Jersey City Waterworks, and early rail lines through Hackensack and Paterson.
  10. 1892 Map of Paterson
    1892 Map of Paterson
    1892 Paterson
    1892 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey and the industrial core of Paterson are seen here in the late nineteenth century as rail and water infrastructure expanded. Trace the development of early utility systems like the Jersey City Waterworks or explore the rail lines of the Lodi Branch R.R. and West Shore Railroad.
  13. 1893 Map of Plainfield
    1893 Map of Plainfield
    1893 Plainfield
    1893 Print · USGS
    In the late nineteenth century, the corridor between the Orange Mountains and the Raritan River was rapidly transforming into a dense rail-and-commuter network. Trace the early footprints of settlements like Feltville and Chatham, or locate vanished industries near Branch Mills and Ash Swamp.
    2 unique versions available
  16. 1894 Map of Morristown
    1894 Map of Morristown
    1894 Morristown
    1894 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey was a landscape of iron and water in the late nineteenth century, as the canal era gave way to steam power. Trace the winding Morris Canal, the mining works at Hibernia, and historic river crossings like Horse Neck Bridge.
  19. 1898 Map of Morristown
    1898 Map of Morristown
    1898 Morristown
    1898 Print · USGS
    Morris and Essex counties at the turn of the century show a complex landscape of early industrial rail lines and historic water routes. Researchers can trace the path of the Morris Canal and find vanished local landmarks like Malapardis, Beach Glen, and Swinefield Bridge.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1898 Map of Plainfield
    1898 Map of Plainfield
    1898 Plainfield
    1898 Print · USGS
    North-central New Jersey at the close of the nineteenth century shows a landscape defined by the ridges of the Watchung Mountains and a rapidly expanding rail network. Genealogists and local historians can trace early property patterns and settlements like Feltville, Connecticut Farms, and the estates near Baltusrol.
    2 unique versions available
  25. 1898 Map of Staten Island
    1898 Map of Staten Island
    1898 Staten Island
    1898 Print · USGS
    Greater Staten Island and the industrial shores of New Jersey are captured during the peak of the Victorian maritime era. Genealogists can trace early neighborhood boundaries and landmarks like Moravian Cemetery, the Morris Canal, and the vanished industry of Linoleumville.
  28. 1898 Map of Paterson
    1898 Map of Paterson
    1898 Paterson
    1898 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey's industrial and rail corridors are captured here in the late nineteenth century, from the silk mills of Paterson to the Hackensack marshes. Genealogists can locate family sites near Laurel Grove Cemetery, the Morris Canal, and early villages like Wortendyke.
  31. 1900 Map of Passaic
    1900 Map of Passaic
    1900 Passaic
    1900 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey and the New York Harbor are captured here at the close of the nineteenth century, showing a landscape defined by rail, river, and coastal defense. Researchers can trace the original path of the Morris Canal, locate Seton Hall College, and explore the batteries at Fort Wadsworth.
  34. 1900 Map of Paterson
    1900 Map of Paterson
    1900 Paterson
    1900 Print · USGS
    Northeastern New Jersey at the turn of the century shows a landscape defined by the Morris Canal and a dense network of early railroads. Researchers can trace ancestral roots through vanished rail stops and sites like Laurel Grove Cemetery, Wortendyke, and Sicomac.
  37. 1900 Map of Staten Island
    1900 Map of Staten Island
    1900 Staten Island
    1900 Print · USGS
    The New York and New Jersey harbor comes alive in the late Victorian era, showing Staten Island when small villages and defensive forts still defined the coastline. Trace family roots and vanished landmarks through Fort Wadsworth, the Morris Canal, and historic settlements like Rossville or Tottenville.
    10 unique versions available
  40. 1903 Map of Paterson
    1903 Map of Paterson
    1903 Paterson
    1903 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey's transition from an industrial river valley to a dense rail-connected region is captured here just after the turn of the century. You can trace the path of the Morris Canal, locate the old Dundee Dam, or find early settlements like Peetzburg and Etna.
    8 unique versions available
  43. 1905 Map of Plainfield
    1905 Map of Plainfield
    1905 Plainfield
    1905 Print · USGS
    North-central New Jersey at the turn of the century shows a landscape transitioning from rural townships to a bustling suburban and industrial network. Researchers can trace early property patterns and rail expansion through Great Swamp, Washington Rock, and Baltusrol.
    6 unique versions available
  46. 1905 Map of Passaic
    1905 Map of Passaic
    1905 Passaic
    1905 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey and Staten Island appear here at a pivotal moment of early 20th-century growth and industrialization. Researchers can trace the development of transit hubs like Convent Sta. or locate legacy landmarks including Hillside Cemetery and the Moravian Cemetery.
    4 unique versions available
  49. 1906 Map of Morristown
    1906 Map of Morristown
    1906 Morristown
    1906 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey's transition from industrial highlands to riverine lowlands is captured here just after the turn of the century. Genealogists can trace family roots in Hibernia or Boonton and locate historic crossings like Columbia Bridge and the Morris Canal.
    6 unique versions available
  52. 1921 Map of Plainfield
    1921 Map of Plainfield
    1921 Plainfield
    1921 Print · USGS
    New Jersey's industrial corridor meets the ridges of the First and Second Mountains in the early twenties. Genealogists can trace family names and small settlements like Raritan Landing, Smalleytown, and the grounds of the New Jersey Reformatory.
  55. 1938 Map of Paterson
    1938 Map of Paterson
    1938 Paterson
    1938 Print · USGS
    Paterson and the Passaic River valley are captured in the late thirties, showing the transition from dense industrial centers to the wooded ridges of the Watchung Mountains. Local historians can trace the foundations of St Michaels Orphanage, the early runways of Murchio Airport, and the grounds of Fairlawn Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  58. 1942 Map of Passaic
    1942 Map of Passaic
    1942 Passaic
    1942 Print · USGS
    Northern New Jersey and New York harbor appear in detail at the start of the war, showing a landscape of burgeoning suburbs and vital industry. Trace family roots and local history across the Passaic River valley, from Paterson to the Watchung Mountains.
  61. 1943 Map of Pompton Plains, 1947 Print
    1943 Map of Pompton Plains, 1947 Print
    1943 Pompton Plains
    1947 Print · USGS
    In the New Jersey valley of the Passaic, these mid-century Morris County communities are shown just before postwar suburbanization. Researchers can trace the junction of the Erie RR and Lackawanna RR or locate early airfields like North Jersey Airport and Murchia Airport.
  64. 1943 Map of Roselle, 1947 Print
    1943 Map of Roselle, 1947 Print
    1943 Roselle
    1947 Print · USGS
    Union County's industrial and commuter corridors are shown here at the height of the war years. Genealogists and rail historians can trace the complex junctions at Cranford Junction and locate family plots in Hazelwood Cem or Graceland Mem Park Cem.
  67. 1944 Map of Paterson
    1944 Map of Paterson
    1944 Paterson
    1944 Print · USGS
    In the mid-1940s, the industrial corridor of northern New Jersey centered on Paterson was a complex network of rail lines and early airports. Researchers can trace historic property boundaries and community institutions like St Michaels Orphanage, Murchio Airport, and the Laurel Grove Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  70. 1944 Map of Newark, 1971 Print
    1944 Map of Newark, 1971 Print
    1944 Newark
    1971 Print · USGS
    The industrial corridor from Philadelphia to New York was in a period of massive transition during the mid-forties. Genealogists and researchers can trace the rail lines of the Lehigh Valley RR, locate military installations like Picatinny Arsenal, and explore the early sprawl near Levittown.
    5 unique versions available
  73. 1947 Map of Jersey City
    1947 Map of Jersey City
    1947 Jersey City
    1947 Print · USGS
    The harbor was a hive of industrial and maritime activity just after the war, featuring the intricate rail networks of the Lackawanna and Pennsylvania lines. Trace the early footprints of the Holland Vehicular Tunnels and landmarks like the Statue of Liberty.
Showing maps 1-25 of 94

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