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

Hike through history with 175 historic maps of Wilkes 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 Wilkes County.


Wilkes County, NC maps

(175)
  1. 1889 Map of Wilkesboro, 1960 Print
    1889 Map of Wilkesboro, 1960 Print
    1889 Wilkesboro
    1960 Print · USGS
    Wilkes 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.

  2. 1891 Map of Wilkesboro, 1940 Print
    1891 Map of Wilkesboro, 1940 Print
    1891 Wilkesboro
    1940 Print · USGS
    The 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.

  3. 1891 Map of Yadkinville, 1964 Print
    1891 Map of Yadkinville, 1964 Print
    1891 Yadkinville
    1964 Print · USGS
    Surry and Yadkin counties are shown here in the late nineteenth century as the river-and-rail economy began to reshape the Piedmont. Genealogists can trace family landmarks and early crossings like Kapps Mill, Poindexter Ferry, and Cross Roads Church.

  4. 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.

  5. 1893 Map of Yadkinville, 1944 Print
    1893 Map of Yadkinville, 1944 Print
    1893 Yadkinville
    1944 Print · USGS
    Northwest North Carolina at the close of the nineteenth century was a landscape of river-dependent commerce and mountain ridges. Researchers can trace the early industrial footprint of Kapps Mill, locate remote river crossings like Douglass Ford, and follow the progress of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad.

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. 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.

  11. 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

  12. 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. 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

  14. 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

  15. 1955 Map of Winston-Salem
    1955 Map of Winston-Salem
    1955 Winston-Salem
    1955 Print · USGS
    The 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.

  16. 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

  17. 1962 Map of Winston-Salem
    1962 Map of Winston-Salem
    1962 Winston-Salem
    1962 Print · USGS
    The North Carolina Piedmont meets the Virginia highlands in the early sixties, showing the rail corridors and mountain gaps of the southern Appalachians. Researchers can trace the Blue Ridge Parkway or locate family sites near Winston-Salem, Mount Airy, and Hanging Rock Mountain.

  18. 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.

  19. 1966 Map of Grandin, 1968 Print
    1966 Map of Grandin, 1968 Print
    1966 Grandin
    1968 Print · USGS
    The Yadkin River valley and the Wilkes-Caldwell county line are shown here in the mid-1960s. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Fort Defiance and several rural congregations including German Chapel and Piney Grove Ch.

  20. 1966 Map of Gilreath, 1968 Print
    1966 Map of Gilreath, 1968 Print
    1966 Gilreath
    1968 Print · USGS
    The foothills of the Blue Ridge come alive in this mid-century portrait of Wilkes and Alexander Counties. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots through numerous country landmarks like New Hope Ch, Old Gilreath, and Hunting Creek Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  21. 1966 Map of Roaring River, 1968 Print
    1966 Map of Roaring River, 1968 Print
    1966 Roaring River
    1968 Print · USGS
    Wilkes County in the mid-sixties reveals a landscape shaped by the Yadkin River and a thriving racing culture. Genealogists and historians can trace numerous rural congregations like Bethel Branch Ch and locate landmarks like the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

  22. 1966 Map of Boomer, 1968 Print
    1966 Map of Boomer, 1968 Print
    1966 Boomer
    1968 Print · USGS
    Wilkes County life in the mid-sixties centered on the newly formed W Kerr Scott Reservoir and the surrounding peaks. Researchers can trace family roots at Ferguson and Boomer, or locate landmarks like the Boomer-Ferguson Sch and Zion Hill Ch.

  23. 1966 Map of Moravian Falls, 1968 Print
    1966 Map of Moravian Falls, 1968 Print
    1966 Moravian Falls
    1968 Print · USGS
    The foothills of Wilkes and Alexander counties are captured in the mid-1960s, just as the W Kerr Scott Reservoir was reshaping the local landscape. Genealogists and historians can trace community roots through numerous landmarks like Walnut Grove Ch, Pores Knob Lookout Tower, and the settlement of Boomer.

  24. 1966 Map of Maple Springs, 1968 Print
    1966 Map of Maple Springs, 1968 Print
    1966 Maple Springs
    1968 Print · USGS
    Wilkes and Watauga counties in the mid-sixties are shown as a network of ridge-top overlooks and creek-bed communities. Researchers can trace family history through local landmarks like Mt Zion, Yellow Hill Ch, and the many cemeteries dotted along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
    2 unique versions available

  25. 1966 Map of Wilkesboro, 1968 Print
    1966 Map of Wilkesboro, 1968 Print
    1966 Wilkesboro
    1968 Print · USGS
    Wilkesboro and the upper Yadkin River valley are captured here in the mid-sixties during a period of significant local infrastructure growth. Trace the development of North Wilkesboro alongside long-standing landmarks like Peoples Tabernacle and the Kerr Scott Reservoir.
    2 unique versions available

Showing maps 1-25 of 175

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