Anyone know any good websites to get old maps from?

Looking for some maps of the maine central specifically the Dexter Newport Foxcroft Line

Might have to use topographical maps cause I want to see the industries that the line served.

Would like to see it over time. Know the line was removed in the 80s/90s

Thanks!

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petrified_eel4615 t1_je1wb7m wrote on March 28, 2023 at 8:28 PM

there are a couple of places:

https://bostonmaine.squarespace.com/mecvalplans Maine Central Valuation Plans

https://digitalmaine.com/archives/ Maine State Archives

https://www.loc.gov/maps/collections/ Library of Congress

Another place to look is to search for Sanborn Maps of the area you are looking for - most were done between 1880s and 1930s, but only "urban" areas, like Dover-Foxcroft or Skowhegan or such.

You might also check the Penobscot County Registry for the valuation ("val") plans on that stretch - I know they're in there, but it might take a bit of digging.

https://penobscotdeeds.com/ALIS/WW400R.HTM?WSIQTP=SY00

ETA: you might also check with a local survey firm, or the Maine Society of Land Surveyors.

dj_1973 t1_jeb8cbf wrote on March 30, 2023 at 7:20 PM

That Maine Central site is a wonderful rabbit hole, thank you.

ShawneeMcGrutt t1_je22ghj wrote on March 28, 2023 at 9:06 PM

Topographical maps are good as well. Sanborn Insurance Maps are really good as well, as they show industries on the line. Currently using them to layout for my model of the Rockland Branch.

layne135 t1_je1vac3 wrote on March 28, 2023 at 8:21 PM

For in-town industries, I recommend looking for the old Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of Newport/Dexter/Foxcroft (you can find them through the Library of Congress website). For more rural industries, your best bet would be the topographical maps (Historic Aerials has a lot of them, including old top-down aerial photography).

Hot-Raisin9157 t1_je4qc04 wrote on March 29, 2023 at 12:22 PM

A nice catch-all for historic maps and other resources related to a specific place in Maine can be found at mainegenealogy.net. You can search for a town and then browse through historic maps, old newspaper archives, bibliographies, etc.

JeffInMaine t1_jeagovs wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:24 PM

Topo archives at ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer

The reference to Sanford maps is a good idea