State & County Maps of New York

Maps of New York are a great resource to help learn about a place at a particular point in time. Old New York maps are effective sources of geographical information and useful for historical, genealogical and territorial research.

Our collection of New York maps includes many different historic and modern types of maps. The maps date from the 17th century to the present and include:

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Historical Maps of New York are a great resource to help learn about a place at a particular point in time. New York Maps are vital historical evidence but must be interpreted cautiously and carefully.

The first place to obtain maps of New York is in each county, usually in the county treasurer’s office. Most New York county maps are large enough to show all county roads, and a further benefit is that most show the towns in different colors, making them easily distinguishable.

Many more maps can be found at the courthouse in the county clerk’s or tax offices. They can be useful for locating a specific piece of property; but the further back in time, the fewer maps will be available. A map is sometimes included with a recorded deed.

More detailed New York county maps are available for cities, villages, and towns, and a good place to look for these would be local libraries. U.S. topographical maps are useful for locating cemeteries. Excellent map collections are at the New York Public Library, the New York State Library, and the New-York Historical Society.

Numerous New York county maps are found in county histories and county atlases. Accurate maps of historical changes in towns, cities, and villages are few.

The New York State Center for Geographic Information  has a good collection of paper and digital maps for sale, and its website is linked to online digital images of the U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle maps.

Old Historical Atlas Maps of New York

This Historical New York Map Collection are from original copies. Most historical maps of New York were published in atlases and spans over 350 years of growth for the state.

Some New York maps years have cities, railroads, P.O. locations, township outlines, and other features useful to the New York researcher.

Save	Jeffery’s 1776 Map of New York Map Title:The Provinces of New York, and New Jersey; with part of Pensilvania, and the Province of Quebec. Drawn by Major Holland, Engraved by Thomas Jefferys, Geographer to His Majesty. Corrected and Improved, from the Original Materials, By Governr. Pownall, Member of Parliament 1776. (with) three inset maps: A Chart Of The Mouth Of Hudson’s River, from Sandy Hook to New York; A Plan Of The City Of New York; and Plan Of Amboy, With its Environs, from an Actual Survey. Map Date: 1776 Map Locations: New York and parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Quebec Map Description: It shows New York with its Western boundary after the 1786 adjustment with Pennsylvania. The map shows a remarkable amount of detail, including Indian reservations, landowners names, towns, counties, rivers, mountains, roads and a host of other details Map Notes: Map Publication: The American Atlas: Or, A Geographical Description Of The Whole Continent Of America Map Type: World Atlas Map Cartographer: Samuel Holland and Thomas Jefferys View Map
Save	Carey’s 1795 Map of New York Map Title: The State Map of New York Compiled from the best Authorities Map Date: 1795 Map Locations: New York Map Description: It shows New York with its Western boundary after the 1786 adjustment with Pennsylvania. The map shows a remarkable amount of detail, including Indian reservations, landowners names, towns, counties, rivers, mountains, roads and a host of other details.   Map Publication: Carey’s American Atlas: Containing Twenty Maps And One Chart Map Notes: Uncolored Map Type: National Atlas Map Cartographer: Mathew Carey (1760– 1839)
Save	Arrowsmith’s 1804 Atlas Map of New York Map Title: The State Map of New York Map Date: 1804 Map Description:   Map Locations: New York Map Publication: A new and elegant general atlas, comprising all the new discoveries, to the present time. Map Cartographer: Aaron Arrowsmith (1750-1823) and Samuel Lewis (1754-1822)
Save	Carey’s 1814 State Map of New York Map Title: The State Map of New York Map Date: 1814 Map Locations: New York Map Description: An important, original antique map of New York State shows precise detail throughout the state, including roads, rivers, lakes, and counties, each of which is outlined with hand coloring.  Published just after the War of 1812. Map Publication: Carey’s General Atlas, Improved And Enlarged; Being A Collection Of Maps Of The World And Quarters, Their Principal Empires, Kingdoms, &c Map Notes: Map Type: World Atlas Map Cartographer: Henry Charles Carey and Isaac Lea
Save	Carey’s 1822 Atlas Map Of New York Map Title: Geographical, Statistical and Historical Map of New York Map Date: 1822 Map Locations: New York Map Description: Detailed early map of New York, colored by county. A number of western and northern counties not yet formed. Shows towns, roads, rivers, canals, etc. Profile of the Grand Canal. On sheet with surrounding text and second page of text. Map Publication: A Complete Historical, Chronological, And Geographical American Atlas, Being A Guide To The History Of North And South America, And The West Indies … To The Year 1822. Map Notes: In full color by county surrounded by text. Profile of Levels of the Grand Canal included. Map Type: National Atlas Map Cartographer: Henry Charles Carey & Isaac Lea
Save	Finley’s 1827 State Map of New York Map Title: Map of the State of New York. Map Date: 1827 Map Locations: New York Map Description: Includes Long Island and Lake Ontario. Shows river ways, roads, canals, and some topographical features. Map Publication: A New General Atlas, Comprising a Complete Set of Maps, representing the Grand Divisions of the Globe, Together with the several Empires, Kingdoms and States in the World; Compiled from the Best Authorities, and corrected by the Most Recent Discoveries, Philadelphia, 1827. Map Notes: Relief shown by hachures. Prime meridian Washington. Statistical table for state. Map Type: National Atlas Map Cartographer: Anthony Finley (1784 – 1836)
Save	Tanner’s 1836 Antique Map of New York Map Title: A New Map Of New York with its Canals, Roads & distances from Place to Place along the Stage & Steam-boat Routes Map Date: 1836 (Entered 1833) Map Locations: New York Map Description: Map has profile of the Erie Canal. Charts detail distances between points using Steam-boat routes, N. York to Falls of Niagara by the Hudson River and Erie Canal and New York to Philadelphia. Map Publication: A New Universal Atlas Containing Maps of the various Empires, Kingdoms, States and Republics Of The World. Map Notes: In full color by county Map Type: World Atlas Map Cartographer: Henry Schenck Tanner (1786–1858)
Save	Morse’s 1845 Map of New York Map Title:  Map of New York. Map Date: 1842 (Entered 1842) Map Locations: New York Map Description: Original map of New York in 1842 that was published within Morse’s Cerographic Maps in 1845. Map shows the county boundaries and settlements within the State of New York as it existed in 1842. This map includes the locations of a number of small settlements, some of which no longer exist. Map Publication: Morse’s North American atlas. Containing the following beautifully colored maps Map Notes:Col. wax engraved map. Relief shown by hachures. Prime meridians: Greenwich and Washington. Map Type: National Atlas Map Cartographer: Sidney Edwards Morse (1794-1871 ) and Samuel Breese (1802-1873)
Save	Morse’s 1845 Map of New York City Map Title:  City Map of New York and vicinity. Map Date: 1845 (Entered 1842) Map Locations: New York Map Description: Map Publication: Morse’s North American atlas. Containing the following beautifully colored maps Map Notes:Col. wax engraved map. Relief shown by hachures. Prime meridians: Greenwich and Washington. Map Type: National Atlas Map Cartographer: Sidney Edwards Morse (1794-1871 ) and Samuel Breese (1802-1873)
Save	Colton’s 1856 Map of New York Map Title:  1856 Map of New York with Vicinity Of Niagara Falls and New York City Map Date: 1856 (Entered 1855) Map Locations: New York and parts of Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Map Description: This historic old map of New York State Covers the entire state of New York as well as parts of the adjacent states. Two insets in the lower left quadrant detail Niagara Falls and the vicinity of New York City. Includes Lake Ontario in full. This map also identifies various forts, rivers, mountain passes, fords, and an assortment of additional topographical details. Map Notes: In full color by county. Map Publication: Colton’s Atlas Of The World, Illustrating Physical And Political Geography. Map Type: World Atlas Map Cartographer: Joseph Hutchins Colton (1800-1893)
Save	Colton’s 1856 Map of New York And the Adjacent Cities Map Title:  Map Of New York And The Adjacent Cities. (with) Continuation Of The City & County Of New York On A Reduced Scale Map Date: 1856 (Entered 1855) Map Locations: New York City and parts of Brooklyn, Hoboken and Jersey City Map Description: Shows parks, streets, wards, buildings, rail lines, wharfs, and many other features. Inset shows Harlem. Also shows much of Brooklyn, Hoboken and Jersey City. Map Publication: Colton’s Atlas Of The World, Illustrating Physical And Political Geography Map Type: World Atlas Map Cartographer: George Woolworth Colton (1827-1901)
Save	Mitchell’s 1880 County Map of the State of New York Map Title:  County Map of the State of New York Map Date: 1880 (Entered 1879) Map Locations: New York and parts of Buffalo, West Troy, Troy, Albany and Rochester Map Description: Detailed map of New York, colored by county, showing towns, roads, railroads, canals, etc. Insets of Long Island, New York Vicinity, Buffalo, Albany and Rochester. One of the most interesting NY atlas maps of the period. Map Publication: Mitchell’s New General Atlas Map Notes:Hand colored map with 5 insets. Relief shown by hachures. Shows settlements, rivers, canals, railroads, etc. Prime meridians: Greenwich and Washington. Map Type: World Atlas Map Cartographer: Samuel Augustus Mitchell Jr. (1827-1901)

Map of New York County Formations 1683-1915

This Interactive Map of New York Counties show the historical boundaries, names, organization, and attachments of every county, extinct county and unsuccessful county proposal from the creation of the New York territory in 1683 to 1915.

New York County Maps of Road and Highway’s

The New York D.O.T. Highway Department does not have New York County Maps available at this time.

External New York Map Resources