Old Maps of Franklin County, Virginia for Academic Research

Study the evolution of Franklin County with 82 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 Franklin County has changed over the decades.


Franklin County, VA maps

(82)
  1. 1890 Map of Roanoke
    1890 Map of Roanoke
    1890 Roanoke
    1890 Print · USGS
    The Roanoke Valley in the late nineteenth century was a growing rail and mining hub shaped by the Blue Ridge. Researchers can trace the early industrial footprint of the Rorer Mines or locate old community anchors like Dillons Mill and Hales Bridge.

  2. 1890 Map of Christiansburg
    1890 Map of Christiansburg
    1890 Christiansburg
    1890 Print · USGS
    Southwestern Virginia in the late nineteenth century centers on the emerging rail and resort economy. Trace the Norfolk and Western Railroad through Christiansburg and find historic resorts like Alleghany Springs.
    10 unique versions available

  3. 1891 Map of Roanoke
    1891 Map of Roanoke
    1891 Roanoke
    1891 Print · USGS
    Virginia's Blue Ridge and Roanoke Valley come alive in the late nineteenth century, showing a landscape defined by new rail lines and old river crossings. Genealogists and local researchers can trace family landmarks and forgotten transport nodes like Rorer Mines, Hollins Inst., and Blackwater Ford.
    8 unique versions available

  4. 1922 Map of Callands
    1922 Map of Callands
    1922 Callands
    1922 Print · USGS
    In the early 1920s, this pocket of rural Virginia was a landscape of river fords, local stores, and family-named mills. Researchers can trace the roots of small communities at Callands and Swansonville or locate long-standing landmarks like Boones Chapel and La Prades Mill.

  5. 1924 Map of Callands
    1924 Map of Callands
    1924 Callands
    1924 Print · USGS
    Southern Virginia in the early twenties shows a landscape of ridges and river bends at the borders of Franklin, Henry, and Pittsylvania counties. Researchers can trace old family sites and rural infrastructure including Swansons Mill, Burnt Chimney, and the Fralin Bridge over the Pigg River.
    3 unique versions available

  6. 1925 Map of Rocky Mount
    1925 Map of Rocky Mount
    1925 Rocky Mount
    1925 Print · USGS
    Franklin and Henry counties are shown in the mid-twenties, a time when life centered on the river forks and mountain gaps. Trace early industrial footprints near Bassett or locate vanished local hubs like Sydnorsville, Cassells Mill, and Snow Cr School.

  7. 1927 Map of Rocky Mount
    1927 Map of Rocky Mount
    1927 Rocky Mount
    1927 Print · USGS
    The upland terrain of Franklin and Henry counties is captured here in the mid-1920s, centered on the rail hub of Rocky Mount. Researchers can trace dozens of rural schoolhouses and family-tied landmarks like Cassells Mill, Waidboro PO, and Fork Mountain Church.
    3 unique versions available

  8. 1944 Map of Rocky Mount
    1944 Map of Rocky Mount
    1944 Rocky Mount
    1944 Print · USGS
    Franklin County's rural heartland is meticulously detailed in the 1940s, showing the early industrial growth of Bassett and the rail-connected hub of Rocky Mount. Genealogists can trace family landmarks and community centers like Cassell Cem, Pigg River Sch, and Ramsays Store.

  9. 1944 Map of Callands
    1944 Map of Callands
    1944 Callands
    1944 Print · USGS
    The rural Virginia Piedmont comes to life in the 1940s as schools, mills, and mountain gaps define the landscape near the Pigg River. Researchers can trace ancestral home sites and community hubs like Union Hall, Giles Mill, and the Mayflower Sch.

  10. 1947 Map of Roanoke, 1948 Print
    1947 Map of Roanoke, 1948 Print
    1947 Roanoke
    1948 Print · USGS
    Central Virginia in the late 1940s reveals a region defined by its great mountain ridges and the powerful river-and-rail economy connecting Roanoke to Lynchburg. Researchers can trace the path of the Virginian RR and locate historic county seats like Charlotte Court House.
    2 unique versions available

  11. 1950 Map of Elliston, 1952 Print
    1950 Map of Elliston, 1952 Print
    1950 Elliston
    1952 Print · USGS
    The Roanoke River headwaters and Blue Ridge highlands are captured here in the early postwar era. Genealogists and historians can trace community roots through numerous country landmarks like Check High Sch, Dillons Mill, and Bend Union Ch.
    4 unique versions available

  12. 1951 Map of Boones Mill, 1953 Print
    1951 Map of Boones Mill, 1953 Print
    1951 Boones Mill
    1953 Print · USGS
    Franklin and Roanoke Counties are captured in the early fifties, showing the Blue Ridge foothills before modern development. Genealogists can locate family landmarks such as Oylers Cem, Piedmont Mill, and several rural churches like St Pauls Ch and Brook Hill Ch.
    3 unique versions available

  13. 1951 Map of Moneta, 1953 Print
    1951 Map of Moneta, 1953 Print
    1951 Moneta
    1953 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Bedford and Franklin counties are shown here before the inundation of the Roanoke valley. Genealogists and historians can trace the foundations of rural life through landmarks like Davis Mill, the VIRGINIAN rail line, and Emmaus Sch.
    3 unique versions available

  14. 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

  15. 1953 Map of Greensboro, 1981 Print
    1953 Map of Greensboro, 1981 Print
    1953 Greensboro
    1981 Print · USGS
    The Piedmont borderlands of North Carolina and Virginia show a landscape defined by new reservoirs and old rail lines. Trace family roots and the changing river geography through Elon College, the John H Kerr Reservoir, and South Boston.

  16. 1954 Map of Greensboro
    1954 Map of Greensboro
    1954 Greensboro
    1954 Print · USGS
    The Piedmont borderlands of North Carolina and Virginia come alive in this mid-fifties study of a region defined by its rivers and rails. Researchers can trace the growing Buggs Island Lake or follow the paths of the Southern Ry and Seaboard Air Line RR through towns like Oxford and Reidsville.

  17. 1955 Map of Bluefield
    1955 Map of Bluefield
    1955 Bluefield
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Central Appalachian borderlands come alive in the mid-fifties, showing the coal and rail networks connecting Bluefield to Beckley. Researchers can trace the industrial landscape of the New River Ordnance Plant and the terrain of Burkes Garden.

  18. 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.

  19. 1957 Map of Endicott, 1959 Print
    1957 Map of Endicott, 1959 Print
    1957 Endicott
    1959 Print · USGS
    Franklin and Patrick counties are captured in the late fifties as the new waters of Philpott Reservoir settle into the landscape. Trace generational landmarks like Ferrum Jr College, the County Farm, and Woods Store across the Blue Ridge foothills.
    2 unique versions available

  20. 1957 Map of Bluefield, 1967 Print
    1957 Map of Bluefield, 1967 Print
    1957 Bluefield
    1967 Print · USGS
    The heart of Central Appalachia in the mid-fifties is defined by the winding rail lines and river valleys of the coalfields. Researchers can trace the industrial footprints of towns like Welch and Princeton or locate landmarks such as the Bluestone Reservoir and Claytor Lake.
    2 unique versions available

  21. 1959 Map of Roanoke
    1959 Map of Roanoke
    1959 Roanoke
    1959 Print · USGS
    Central Virginia and the Blue Ridge appear in great detail during the late fifties, showcasing the transition from mountain industry to Piedmont farmland. Trace the path of the Norfolk and Western railroad or find old river towns like Appomattox and Amelia Court House.

  22. 1961 Map of Bluefield
    1961 Map of Bluefield
    1961 Bluefield
    1961 Print · USGS
    The coalfields and mountain ridges of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia are captured in the early sixties. Genealogists can trace family ties through rail-linked towns like Princeton and Richlands or along the shores of Bluestone Reservoir.

  23. 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.

  24. 1962 Map of Greensboro
    1962 Map of Greensboro
    1962 Greensboro
    1962 Print · USGS
    The Piedmont region along the Virginia and North Carolina border comes alive in the early 1960s, showing a landscape defined by industry and new reservoirs. Trace the path of the Virginian RR or explore the early development of Greensboro and Durham.

  25. 1963 Map of Roanoke
    1963 Map of Roanoke
    1963 Roanoke
    1963 Print · USGS
    Central Virginia and the Blue Ridge front appear here in the early sixties, caught between their deep railroad roots and new postwar developments. Genealogists and historians can trace the rail lines of the Norfolk and Western through towns like Bedford and Altavista, or locate family landmarks near Smith Mountain Lake.

Showing maps 1-25 of 82

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Frequently asked questions

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