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Old Maps of Burke County, North Carolina for Academic Research

Study the evolution of Burke County with 143 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.

  • Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
  • Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
  • Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.

These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how Burke County has changed over the decades.

Burke County, NC maps

(143)
  1. 1895 Map of Hickory
    1895 Map of Hickory
    1895 Hickory
    1895 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina foothills come alive in the late nineteenth century as the rail lines reached Hickory and Newton. Genealogists can trace family roots through numerous country landmarks like Tuttle's Store, Emmanuel Church, and Cloninger's Mill.
    5 unique versions available
  4. 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
  7. 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.
  10. 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
  13. 1954 Map of Charlotte
    1954 Map of Charlotte
    1954 Charlotte
    1954 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina Piedmont in the mid-1950s shows a region of rapid growth and industrial expansion centered around Charlotte. Trace the era's infrastructure through the Southern railroad lines and locate significant landmarks like the Charlotte Naval Ammunition Depot and Lake Norman.
    2 unique versions available
  16. 1956 Map of Valdese, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Valdese, 1958 Print
    1956 Valdese
    1958 Print · USGS
    Burke County in the mid-fifties shows a landscape of busy textile and furniture towns connected by the rail corridor. Genealogists can locate family sites among numerous landmarks like Bollingers Chapel, Hildebran Sch, and Connellys Springs.
    2 unique versions available
  19. 1956 Map of Oak Hill, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Oak Hill, 1958 Print
    1956 Oak Hill
    1958 Print · USGS
    Burke County in the mid-fifties is characterized by the meeting of the Pisgah National Forest and the upper waters of Lake James. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of rural community life through sites like Tablerock State Fish Hatchery, Willow Tree Sch, and Quaker Meadow Ch.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1956 Map of Collettsville, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Collettsville, 1958 Print
    1956 Collettsville
    1958 Print · USGS
    Caldwell County’s deep river valleys and high forest ridges are captured here in the mid-fifties, centered on the community of Collettsville. Researchers can trace old family sites and rural landmarks like the Sand Mtn Lookout Tower, Adako, and Conways Chapel.
    3 unique versions available
  25. 1956 Map of Benn Knob, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Benn Knob, 1958 Print
    1956 Benn Knob
    1958 Print · USGS
    The upland borders of Cleveland and Rutherford counties appear here as they were in the mid-1950s, a landscape of high peaks and secluded valleys. Genealogists can trace family footprints at Mt Moriah Ch, Corinth Ch, and the small Moriah Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  28. 1956 Map of Morganton North, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Morganton North, 1958 Print
    1956 Morganton North
    1958 Print · USGS
    Morganton and the river valleys of Burke County are captured in the mid-fifties, showing the rural landscapes of Quaker Meadow. Researchers can trace family sites like Arneys Store, Corpening Sch, and several mission churches along the Johns River.
    2 unique versions available
  31. 1956 Map of Casar, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Casar, 1958 Print
    1956 Casar
    1958 Print · USGS
    The rural foothills of the South Mountains come alive in this mid-fifties study of the Cleveland and Lincoln county line. Genealogists and local historians can trace family land around Casar, Ramsey, and Shoups Ford or locate several country churches like Carpenters Grove Ch.
    2 unique versions available
  34. 1956 Map of Ashford, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Ashford, 1958 Print
    1956 Ashford
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Linville Gorge and Pisgah National Forest meet in the mid-1950s as the river valleys transition to mountain wilderness. Trace family roots at South Mtn Institute, Brown Cem, or the old settlement of North Cove.
    3 unique versions available
  37. 1956 Map of Linville Falls, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Linville Falls, 1958 Print
    1956 Linville Falls
    1958 Print · USGS
    The High Country of western North Carolina in the mid-fifties is captured here during the development of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Genealogists and hikers can locate Wise Cem, Walnut Grove Ch, and the subterranean depths of Linville Caverns.
    4 unique versions available
  40. 1956 Map of Morganton South, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Morganton South, 1958 Print
    1956 Morganton South
    1958 Print · USGS
    Morganton and its mountain periphery are captured here in the mid-fifties, showing the town's expansion toward the South Mountains. Genealogists can locate family sites near Pumpkin Center, the State Sch for the Deaf, or Mull Grove Ch.
    2 unique versions available
  43. 1956 Map of Chestnut Mtn., 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Chestnut Mtn., 1958 Print
    1956 Chestnut Mtn.
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Blue Ridge wilderness of Burke and Avery counties is captured here in the mid-1950s as a landscape of isolated mountain settlements and national forest. Researchers can locate family sites and historical landmarks like Kawana Cem, the community of Mortimer, and the Lookout Tower atop Chestnut Mtn.
    4 unique versions available
  46. 1956 Map of Drexel, 1959 Print
    1956 Map of Drexel, 1959 Print
    1956 Drexel
    1959 Print · USGS
    The Catawba River valley in the mid-1950s is captured here just as the region’s industrial and transit networks were maturing. Local historians can trace the development of Drexel and Valdese along the Southern railroad or locate family-named sites like Puett Cem and Corpening Bridge.
  49. 1956 Map of Linville Falls, 1962 Print
    1956 Map of Linville Falls, 1962 Print
    1956 Linville Falls
    1962 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina high country is captured here during the mid-fifties, centered on the steep descent of the Linville River. Genealogists and hikers can trace old mountain communities and landmarks like the South Mtn Institute, Linville Caverns, and Wise Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1956 Map of Lenoir, 1963 Print
    1956 Map of Lenoir, 1963 Print
    1956 Lenoir
    1963 Print · USGS
    Caldwell and Burke Counties come alive in the 1950s, showing the Foothills region as it transitioned from mountain timberlands to bustling rail towns. Trace old community hubs like Arneys Store, family-named creeks such as Elijah Bates Mill Creek, and the many churches like St Marys Mission Ch.
  55. 1960 Map of Charlotte
    1960 Map of Charlotte
    1960 Charlotte
    1960 Print · USGS
    Mid-century North Carolina and South Carolina meet in this 1960 survey of the Piedmont's industrial and textile heartland. Trace the growth of Charlotte alongside historic landmarks like Kings Mountain National Military Park and the Charlotte Naval Ammunition Depot.
    2 unique versions available
  58. 1962 Map of Charlotte
    1962 Map of Charlotte
    1962 Charlotte
    1962 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina Piedmont in the early sixties showcases a landscape transformed by massive reservoirs and industrial growth. Researchers can trace the development of Lake Norman, locate the Charlotte Naval Ammunition Depot, or find family landmarks like Wesley Chapel and Brown & Norcott Mills.
  61. 1962 Map of Glen Alpine, 1964 Print
    1962 Map of Glen Alpine, 1964 Print
    1962 Glen Alpine
    1964 Print · USGS
    Western Burke County comes into focus in the early sixties as the Catawba River valley balances hydroelectric development with deep-rooted rural life. Researchers can trace historic church sites like Bridgewater Ch, old schoolhouses such as Pilot Mtn Sch, and the industrial footprint of the Linville Dam Powerhouse.
  64. 1962 Map of Dysartsville, 1964 Print
    1962 Map of Dysartsville, 1964 Print
    1962 Dysartsville
    1964 Print · USGS
    The foothills of the South Mountains come alive in the early sixties, showing where Burke, McDowell, and Rutherford counties meet. Genealogists can locate family names and sites like Logans Store, Fortune Cem, and Missionary Ch.
    3 unique versions available
  67. 1962 Map of Marion East, 1964 Print
    1962 Map of Marion East, 1964 Print
    1962 Marion East
    1964 Print · USGS
    McDowell County's foothills and river valleys are captured here in the early sixties, anchored by the industrial and rail hubs of Marion and East Marion. Genealogists can trace family roots through rural landmarks like Nebo Cem, Dysartsville Ch, and the small settlement of Jacktown.
    2 unique versions available
  70. 1970 Map of Banoak, 1972 Print
    1970 Map of Banoak, 1972 Print
    1970 Banoak
    1972 Print · USGS
    Catawba and Lincoln counties are shown here in the early seventies, a landscape of rolling Piedmont ridges and family farms. Researchers can trace local heritage through dozens of country landmarks like Cat Square, Hulls Crossroads, and the North Brook Sch No 3.
  73. 1970 Map of Bethlehem, 1973 Print
    1970 Map of Bethlehem, 1973 Print
    1970 Bethlehem
    1973 Print · USGS
    The northern edge of Hickory and the waters of Lake Hickory come into sharp focus during this period of 1970s growth. Researchers can trace the development of lakeside communities like Bethlehem or locate family landmarks such as Isaac Creek Ch and Bentley Cem.
Showing maps 1-25 of 143

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Frequently asked questions

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