Old Maps of Avery County, North Carolina for Hiking & Exploration

Hike through history with 116 historic maps of Avery County. 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 Avery County.


Avery County, NC maps

(116)
  1. 1891 Map of Roan Mountain
    1891 Map of Roan Mountain
    1891 Roan Mountain
    1891 Print · USGS
    The Tennessee-North Carolina border country comes alive in the 1890s, when narrow-gauge railroads and mountain ferries still moved the region's goods. Genealogists and historians can trace early crossings like Shipley's Ferry, industrial sites at Embreeville, and high-country settlements like Cloudland.

  2. 1893 Map of Cranberry
    1893 Map of Cranberry
    1893 Cranberry
    1893 Print · USGS
    The high country of the Blue Ridge and Appalachians is captured here during the late 1800s, showing the early settlements and crossroads of Watauga and Johnson counties. Genealogists can trace family landmarks and early industry at Rhea Forge, Shulls Mill, and the many hamlets like Vilas and Sutherland.

  3. 1894 Map of Roan Mountain
    1894 Map of Roan Mountain
    1894 Roan Mountain
    1894 Print · USGS
    Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina are mapped here in the late nineteenth century as the rail network expands through the Unaka Range. Trace early industrial footprints and family lands near Elizabethton, Terry Furnace, and the high summit at Cloudland.
    3 unique versions available

  4. 1895 Map of Cranberry
    1895 Map of Cranberry
    1895 Cranberry
    1895 Print · USGS
    The High Country of North Carolina and Tennessee comes alive in this late nineteenth-century survey. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of Mountain City or locate old community centers like Valle Cruces, Banners Elk, and Rhea Forge.

  5. 1899 Map of Cranberry
    1899 Map of Cranberry
    1899 Cranberry
    1899 Print · USGS
    The high Appalachian borderlands of North Carolina and Tennessee appear here in the late nineteenth century, defined by mountain settlements and early river-powered industry. Researchers can trace the era's geography through landmarks like Rhea Forge, Shills Mill, and the historic Yonhalossee Road.

  6. 1900 Map of Mount Mitchell, 1963 Print
    1900 Map of Mount Mitchell, 1963 Print
    1900 Mount Mitchell
    1963 Print · USGS
    Western North Carolina at the turn of the century shows a landscape of high peaks and isolated river settlements before the arrival of modern highways. Genealogists and mountain historians can trace early homesteads along the Cane River or follow the Southern RR through Old Fort and Black Mountain.
    3 unique versions available

  7. 1902 Map of Cranberry
    1902 Map of Cranberry
    1902 Cranberry
    1902 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina and Tennessee borderlands are captured here at the turn of the century as early railroads began penetrating the high ridges. Genealogists can trace family names and old settlements like Mountain City, Shoun Crossroads, and the industry at Rhea Forge.
    6 unique versions available

  8. 1902 Map of Mount Mitchell, 1937 Print
    1902 Map of Mount Mitchell, 1937 Print
    1902 Mount Mitchell
    1937 Print · USGS
    The high peaks of Western North Carolina are captured here at the start of the twentieth century, showing the rail and river corridors that shaped the region. Trace early settlements like Burnsville, Montreat, and the winding Southern Railway.
    3 unique versions available

  9. 1904 Map of Roan Mountain
    1904 Map of Roan Mountain
    1904 Roan Mountain
    1904 Print · USGS
    Upper East Tennessee and Western North Carolina are documented here at a time when river fords and narrow-gauge railroads still connected mountain hollows. Trace the paths to Hodge Ore Bank, find old Poplar Ridge Church, or locate river crossings like Yoakley Ferry.
    4 unique versions available

  10. 1905 Map of Morganton, 1941 Print
    1905 Map of Morganton, 1941 Print
    1905 Morganton
    1941 Print · USGS
    The foothills and high peaks of the Blue Ridge come alive in the early twentieth century, centered on the growing towns of Morganton and Lenoir. Genealogists and historians can trace the early rail corridor of the Southern Railway and locate vanished landmarks like Arneys Store and Rutherford College.
    2 unique versions available

  11. 1934 Map of Valle Crucis
    1934 Map of Valle Crucis
    1934 Valle Crucis
    1934 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina high country is captured here during the mid-1930s, showing a network of mountain settlements and river valleys. Researchers can trace family names at Jestes Cemetery or follow the narrow-gauge ET & WNC RR through Jestes Siding.
    2 unique versions available

  12. 1934 Map of Spruce Pine
    1934 Map of Spruce Pine
    1934 Spruce Pine
    1934 Print · USGS
    Mitchell County industrial and mountain life are captured in the mid-1930s as the local mining economy thrived. Genealogists and historians can trace families near Spruce Pine, locate the Prison Camp, and identify remote sites like Wolfden Mine and Hunter Chapel.

  13. 1934 Map of White Rocks Mtn
    1934 Map of White Rocks Mtn
    1934 White Rocks Mtn
    1934 Print · USGS
    Roan Mountain and the high ridges of the Tennessee-North Carolina border are captured here in the mid-thirties as the local economy followed the rails. Genealogists can locate family sites near the Isaacs Cem and several community schools including Hampton Creek Sch.

  14. 1934 Map of Elk Park
    1934 Map of Elk Park
    1934 Elk Park
    1934 Print · USGS
    High-elevation settlements and mountain rail lines define this Avery County landscape in the mid-1930s. Genealogists can trace family roots at Little Elk Ch or locate historic structures like the Grandfather Orphanage and Elk Park School.

  15. 1934 Map of Linville Falls
    1934 Map of Linville Falls
    1934 Linville Falls
    1934 Print · USGS
    Avery County mountain life in the mid-thirties centered on the North Toe River and its rugged ridges. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Walnut Grove Ch, Brushy Creek Sch, and the Hemphill Mine near the crossing at Heffner Gap.

  16. 1934 Map of Carvers Gap
    1934 Map of Carvers Gap
    1934 Carvers Gap
    1934 Print · USGS
    The high peaks of the Blue Ridge meet the industrial activity of Mitchell and Avery counties in the mid-1930s. Genealogists can trace early mountain life through landmarks like Yellow Mountain Church, Glen Ayre, and mineral operations such as the Jackson Mine.

  17. 1934 Map of Newland
    1934 Map of Newland
    1934 Newland
    1934 Print · USGS
    Avery County's mountain communities are detailed in this mid-1930s survey, showing the area as the local road network began to expand. You can locate rural landmarks like Sugar Mtn Sch, the Hawshore Mtn Fire Tower, and churches including Forest Home Ch.

  18. 1935 Map of Doe Mountain
    1935 Map of Doe Mountain
    1935 Doe Mountain
    1935 Print · USGS
    Mountain City and the Watauga River valley appear here in the mid-1930s, just before major hydroelectric projects transformed the landscape. Researchers can trace the original river towns of Butler and Elk Mills, or locate family landmarks like Shouns Chapel Sch and Doeville P O Doe Sta.
    2 unique versions available

  19. 1935 Map of Butler
    1935 Map of Butler
    1935 Butler
    1935 Print · USGS
    The Watauga River valley in the mid-1930s is caught here in its original state before TVA projects transformed the region. Genealogists and local historians can pinpoint the original sites of Butler, Watauga Academy, and cemeteries like Green Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  20. 1936 Map of Blowing Rock
    1936 Map of Blowing Rock
    1936 Blowing Rock
    1936 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina high country around Boone and Blowing Rock is documented here in the mid-1930s. Genealogists and researchers can trace family-named landmarks and mountain institutions, from the COUNTY HOME to remote sites like Bailey Camp Sch and St Marys Ch.

  21. 1938 Map of Butler
    1938 Map of Butler
    1938 Butler
    1938 Print · USGS
    The Tennessee-North Carolina border country is documented here just before major landscape shifts, centered on the river confluence at Butler. Genealogists can trace family landmarks and rural institutions including Watauga Academy, Dugger Cem, and the Sink Valley Sch.
    3 unique versions available

  22. 1942 Map of Blowing Rock
    1942 Map of Blowing Rock
    1942 Blowing Rock
    1942 Print · USGS
    Watauga and Caldwell Counties are shown here during the late nineteen-thirties and early forties, capturing the traditional highland communities and early development of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Shulls Mills, Poplar Grove Ch, and Liberty Hill Sch.
    4 unique versions available

  23. 1944 Map of Linville
    1944 Map of Linville
    1944 Linville
    1944 Print · USGS
    The High Country of Avery and Watauga Counties is shown here in the mid-1940s, anchored by the heights of Grandfather Mountain. Genealogists and local historians can trace the foundations of Banner Elk and Valle Crucis or locate rural landmarks like Sugar Mtn Sch and the Grandfather Orphanage.
    2 unique versions available

  24. 1953 Map of Charlotte, 1968 Print
    1953 Map of Charlotte, 1968 Print
    1953 Charlotte
    1968 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina Piedmont and South Carolina borderlands are shown in detail during a period of significant growth and reservoir development. Trace the rail corridors of the Southern Railway or find family roots in towns like China Grove, Misenheimer, and Lincolnton.
    3 unique versions available

  25. 1953 Map of Winston-Salem, 1974 Print
    1953 Map of Winston-Salem, 1974 Print
    1953 Winston-Salem
    1974 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina Piedmont and Virginia highlands meet in the mid-1950s, a landscape defined by the tobacco and textile hubs of the Blue Ridge foothills. Researchers can trace the rail-and-river geography connecting Winston-Salem to mountain towns like Mount Airy and Galax.
    2 unique versions available

Showing maps 1-25 of 116

Top cities of Avery County


Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Avery County?
  • What is the oldest map of Avery County?
  • Where can I purchase historical maps of Avery County for my home or office?
  • Where can I download high-res historical maps of Avery County?
  • Are there historical topographic maps available for Avery County?
  • Is there historical aerial imagery available for Avery County?
  • Where are historical maps of Avery County sourced from?