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Old Maps of Cary, North Carolina for Academic Research

Study the evolution of Cary with 54 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 Cary has changed over the decades.

Cary, NC maps

(54)
  1. 1943 Map of Durham South
    1943 Map of Durham South
    1943 Durham South
    1943 Print · USGS
    Durham and its southern reaches are captured here in the early 1940s, showing a tobacco-and-rail landscape at its peak. Genealogists and local historians can trace legacy sites like Beechwood Cem, Lowes Grove, and Roger Grove Ch.
    2 unique versions available
  4. 1943 Map of Raleigh
    1943 Map of Raleigh
    1943 Raleigh
    1943 Print · USGS
    Raleigh and its surrounding Wake County townships are captured here in the early 1940s as a bustling nexus of rail and industry. Genealogists can trace family names through rural landmarks like Lassiters Mill, Method, and numerous country churches like Mt Bethel Church.
    2 unique versions available
  7. 1951 Map of Raleigh, 1952 Print
    1951 Map of Raleigh, 1952 Print
    1951 Raleigh
    1952 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Raleigh and its surrounding rural townships are shown here as the capital city expanded toward the Neuse River. Genealogists can trace family-named schools and crossroads like Lovely Hill Sch, Six Forks, and the historic mill at Lassiters Mill.
    3 unique versions available
  10. 1951 Map of Durham South, 1953 Print
    1951 Map of Durham South, 1953 Print
    1951 Durham South
    1953 Print · USGS
    The mid-century landscape south of Durham shows a region on the cusp of modernization as the airport and highway networks began to expand. Genealogists and historians can locate rural landmarks such as Pearsontown, Lowes Grove, and Holland Chapel among the busy rail corridors of the Norfolk Southern.
    3 unique versions available
  13. 1953 Map of Raleigh, 1965 Print
    1953 Map of Raleigh, 1965 Print
    1953 Raleigh
    1965 Print · USGS
    Central North Carolina in the early sixties shows a landscape of growing towns and military hubs before the full expansion of the interstate system. Genealogists can trace family footprints across the Piedmont through Wake Forest, Siler City, and the large Fort Bragg Military Reservation.
    4 unique versions available
  16. 1954 Map of Raleigh
    1954 Map of Raleigh
    1954 Raleigh
    1954 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina Piedmont and Sandhills are captured in the mid-fifties during a period of steady regional growth. Genealogists and historians can trace the development of towns like Siler City or locate landmarks such as Falls of Neuse and Camp Mackall.
  19. 1964 Map of Lake Wheeler, 1965 Print
    1964 Map of Lake Wheeler, 1965 Print
    1964 Lake Wheeler
    1965 Print · USGS
    Wake County south of the capital city shows a mix of rapid suburban growth and deep-rooted rural history during the mid-sixties. Genealogists and local historians can trace family sites like Franklin Cem alongside landmarks such as Yates Millpond and McCullers Crossroads.
    5 unique versions available
  22. 1964 Map of Garner, 1965 Print
    1964 Map of Garner, 1965 Print
    1964 Garner
    1965 Print · USGS
    The rural landscapes south of Raleigh were transitioning from farm to suburb in the mid-sixties. Researchers can trace family roots at numerous country churches like Wooten Chapel Ch or locate sites such as McCullers, Willow Springs, and the historic McGee Mill.
  25. 1968 Map of Raleigh West, 1972 Print
    1968 Map of Raleigh West, 1972 Print
    1968 Raleigh West
    1972 Print · USGS
    Raleigh in the late sixties reveals a city in rapid transition between its traditional downtown core and expanding suburban neighborhoods. Genealogists and historians can trace institutional landmarks like North Carolina State University alongside local settlements like Method and Asbury.
    6 unique versions available
  28. 1973 Map of Cary, 1975 Print
    1973 Map of Cary, 1975 Print
    1973 Cary
    1975 Print · USGS
    Cary and its neighboring communities are shown during a decade of growth as the Research Triangle region expanded in the early seventies. Genealogists and historians can locate family landmarks such as Hill Crest Cem, Christa Sanctified Holy Ch, and the rural crossing at Morrisville.
    5 unique versions available
  31. 1973 Map of Green Level, 1975 Print
    1973 Map of Green Level, 1975 Print
    1973 Green Level
    1975 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina Piedmont is captured here during the mid-seventies, showing the early stages of Lake B Everett Jordan. Researchers can trace old family landmarks and community hubs like Green Level, Marthas Chapel, and O'Kellys Ch.
    2 unique versions available
  34. 1973 Map of Southeast Durham, 1982 Print
    1973 Map of Southeast Durham, 1982 Print
    1973 Southeast Durham
    1982 Print · USGS
    Southeast Durham and the Research Triangle transition from rural communities to a regional hub during the early seventies. Genealogists and researchers can locate family burial sites at Woodlawn Memorial Park and trace early crossroads like Bethesda and Nelson.
    2 unique versions available
  37. 1974 Map of Apex, 1977 Print
    1974 Map of Apex, 1977 Print
    1974 Apex
    1977 Print · USGS
    Wake County rail and rural life are at a crossroads in the mid-seventies, centered on the busy junction at Apex. Trace the paths of the Durham and Southern railroad through Feltonville and Holly Springs or locate St Marys Ch and Shelba Airport.
    5 unique versions available
  40. 1984 Map of Raleigh, 1985 Print
    1984 Map of Raleigh, 1985 Print
    1984 Raleigh
    1985 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina Research Triangle is shown during a decade of rapid growth, from the sprawl of Raleigh to the expanding waters of Falls Lake. Genealogists and historians can trace rail lines like the Seaboard Coast Line or locate landmark sites like Dorothea Dix State Hospital and Fuquay-Varina.
  43. 1990 Map of Raleigh, 1991 Print
    1990 Map of Raleigh, 1991 Print
    1990 Raleigh
    1991 Print · USGS
    Greater Raleigh and the Research Triangle entered a period of significant suburban growth during the 1990s. Researchers can trace the development of towns like Fuquay-Varina and Wake Forest or locate landmarks such as the State Prison and Harris Reservoir.
    2 unique versions available
  46. 1993 Map of Southeast Durham, 1998 Print
    1993 Map of Southeast Durham, 1998 Print
    1993 Southeast Durham
    1998 Print · USGS
    The corridor between Durham and Raleigh is captured here in the early nineties during a period of significant suburban and industrial growth. Researchers can trace the development of Research Triangle Park and locate local landmarks like Lynn Crossroads, Southern High Sch, and Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
  49. 1993 Map of Green Level, 1999 Print
    1993 Map of Green Level, 1999 Print
    1993 Green Level
    1999 Print · USGS
    In the early 1990s, the shores of B Everett Jordan Lake met a rural landscape of country churches and small crossroads. Researchers can trace family history through numerous landmarks including Martha Chapel, Mt Pisgah Ch, and the settlement of Green Level.
  52. 1993 Map of Lake Wheeler, 1999 Print
    1993 Map of Lake Wheeler, 1999 Print
    1993 Lake Wheeler
    1999 Print · USGS
    Wake County's southern expansion is captured here as suburban growth reaches toward Lake Wheeler and Lake Benson. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots through the numerous family cemeteries like Stephens Cem and historic sites such as Yates Millpond.
  55. 1993 Map of Cary, 1999 Print
    1993 Map of Cary, 1999 Print
    1993 Cary
    1999 Print · USGS
    The Research Triangle is shown in its era of peak expansion, transitioning from quiet rural communities to a major regional hub. Genealogists and historians can trace local landmarks like Shiloh Ch, Carpenter, and the old Durham and Southern rail line.
  58. 1993 Map of Raleigh West, 1999 Print
    1993 Map of Raleigh West, 1999 Print
    1993 Raleigh West
    1999 Print · USGS
    Raleigh and Cary are shown during a period of rapid westward expansion in the early nineties. Researchers can trace the layout of North Carolina State University and find historic landmarks like the State Capitol and Dorothea Dix State Hospital.
  61. 1993 Map of Apex, 1999 Print
    1993 Map of Apex, 1999 Print
    1993 Apex
    1999 Print · USGS
    This survey of western Wake County records the growth of Apex and Holly Springs during the mid-1990s expansion. Genealogists and researchers can trace family roots at Felton Grove Ch, Matthew Chapel, and the community of Feltonville.
  64. 2002 Map of Lake Wheeler, 2004 Print
    2002 Map of Lake Wheeler, 2004 Print
    2002 Lake Wheeler
    2004 Print · USGS
    Southern Wake County is shown at a pivotal moment of growth in the early 2000s, as Raleigh and Garner expand toward established rural crossroads. Genealogists and historians can locate legacy sites like Yates Millpond, McCullers, and Stephens Cem alongside the waters of Lake Wheeler.
  67. 2002 Map of Raleigh West, 2004 Print
    2002 Map of Raleigh West, 2004 Print
    2002 Raleigh West
    2004 Print · USGS
    In the early 2000s, West Raleigh was a landscape of significant academic and state institutions alongside expanding suburbs. Trace the footprints of North Carolina State University, the historic community of Method, and the grounds of Dorothea Dix State Hospital.
  70. 2002 Map of Apex, 2004 Print
    2002 Map of Apex, 2004 Print
    2002 Apex
    2004 Print · USGS
    Wake County was undergoing significant suburban growth at the turn of the millennium as Apex and Cary expanded toward one another. Researchers can trace the development of Holly Springs and Piney Plains while locating local landmarks like Matthew Chapel and Sunset Lake.
  73. 2010 Map of Green Level, 2010 Print
    2010 Map of Green Level, 2010 Print
    2010 Green Level
    2010 Print · USGS
    Covers Cary, including Durham, Apex, and other nearby areas
Showing maps 1-25 of 54

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Cary?
  • What is the oldest map of Cary?
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  • Is there historical aerial imagery available for Cary?
  • Where are historical maps of Cary sourced from?