Old Maps of Watauga County, North Carolina for Metal Detecting
Plan your next treasure hunt with 115 historic maps of Watauga 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 Watauga County.
Watauga County, NC maps
(115)- 1889 Map of Wilkesboro, 1960 Print
1889 Wilkesboro1960 Print · USGSWilkes and Ashe counties are shown here in the late 1880s as the region's mountain economy relied on river fords and valley mills. Researchers can trace ancestral locations from Jefferson to Wilkesboro, including landmarks like Lomax Store and Dunkirk Ch. - 1891 Map of Wilkesboro, 1940 Print
1891 Wilkesboro1940 Print · USGSThe foothills and high ridges of Northwest North Carolina are seen here in the late nineteenth century before modern highway development. Local historians can locate early post offices at Brown P.O., the mining area of Ore Knob, and ancestral landmarks like Dunkirk Ch. and Hall Mills. - 1893 Map of Cranberry
1893 Cranberry1893 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1895 Map of Cranberry
1895 Cranberry1895 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1899 Map of Cranberry
1899 Cranberry1899 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1902 Map of Cranberry
1902 Cranberry1902 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1934 Map of Valle Crucis
1934 Valle Crucis1934 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1934 Map of Elk Park
1934 Elk Park1934 Print · USGSHigh-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. - 1934 Map of Boone
1934 Boone1934 Print · USGSWatauga County's high country is captured here during the mid-1930s, showing a network of mountain communities and early state highways. You can trace the locations of the County Home, the rural crossroads at Shulls Mills, and local landmarks like the Blue Moon Service Sta. - 1935 Map of Baldwin Gap
1935 Baldwin Gap1935 Print · USGSThe high ridges of the Tennessee and North Carolina border come into focus in the mid-1930s. Genealogists can trace early mountain life through the sites of Snyder Chapel, Curds Sch, and the isolated Wallace Cem. - 1935 Map of Doe Mountain
1935 Doe Mountain1935 Print · USGSMountain 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 - 1935 Map of Sherwood
1935 Sherwood1935 Print · USGSThe Tennessee and North Carolina high country comes into focus in the mid-1930s, showing a network of mountain coves and river crossings. Researchers can locate remote schools and family burial sites like Glendale Sch, Ivory Ridge Sch, and the Cove Creek Cem. - 1935 Map of Butler
1935 Butler1935 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1935 Map of Zionville
1935 Zionville1935 Print · USGSThe Tennessee and North Carolina borderlands are captured here in the mid-1930s as high-country roads began to improve. Genealogists and hikers can trace old routes through the Gap of Rich Mtn or locate small settlements like Trade and Silverstone. - 1936 Map of Blowing Rock
1936 Blowing Rock1936 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1938 Map of Butler
1938 Butler1938 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1938 Map of Sherwood
1938 Sherwood1938 Print · USGSThe high ridges of Watauga County and the Tennessee border are captured here just before the Second World War. Researchers can trace ancestral locations through numerous mountain churches and schools, including Henson Chapel, Mabel, and Beaverdam School.5 unique versions available - 1938 Map of Baldwin Gap, 1957 Print
1938 Baldwin Gap1957 Print · USGSThe high ridges of the Blue Ridge along the Tennessee and North Carolina border were surveyed in the late thirties. Genealogists and local historians can trace family locations near Hemlock, Wallace Cem, and rural institutions like Curd Sch and Snyder Chapel. - 1939 Map of Zionville
1939 Zionville1939 Print · USGSThe North Carolina and Tennessee borderlands come alive in this late 1930s survey of the high mountain gaps. Genealogists can trace early homesteads near Zionville, Trade, and Greer Cem or find local landmarks like the Rich Mtn Sch.2 unique versions available - 1939 Map of Baldwin Gap
1939 Baldwin Gap1939 Print · USGSThe high ridges of the Tennessee and North Carolina border come alive in this pre-war survey of the Appalachian backcountry. Genealogists can trace family footprints through numerous hollows to find Bethel Ch, Payne Cem, and the old Laurel Springs Sch.2 unique versions available - 1942 Map of Blowing Rock
1942 Blowing Rock1942 Print · USGSWatauga 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 - 1944 Map of Linville
1944 Linville1944 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1953 Map of Winston-Salem, 1974 Print
1953 Winston-Salem1974 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1955 Map of Winston-Salem
1955 Winston-Salem1955 Print · USGSThe Central Blue Ridge and Piedmont transition are captured here in the mid-fifties, from the industrial hub of Winston-Salem to the high peaks of Southwest Virginia. Genealogists can trace family landmarks like Richmond Hill Ch, Siloam Ch, and the old rail stops along the Southern Railway. - 1959 Map of Zionville, 1961 Print
1959 Zionville1961 Print · USGSThe borderlands of North Carolina and Tennessee come alive in the late fifties, showing a landscape of high peaks and isolated creek-side settlements. Genealogists can trace old family roots at Winbarger Mill, Pottertown (Tamarack PO), and the Maine Cem.4 unique versions available
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