Forum

recent buzz... In some cases, we've found historic aerials show a bridge and/or older alignment in early...

Topic

Topic Title older maps unavailable

2017-02-21 07:12:42	KimmietheMime	This seems to affect all areas, but use my location as an example; when I open the viewer, for a brief moment there are at least 2 or 3 maps from before 1951 listed, but they disappear when the page is finished loading. It happens too fast to even try to catch one to see if they work at all. The next map backwards should be 1938 so if you can see that it might help diagnose the issue. It's not to do with scrolling as far as I can see, as my Surface pen can't drag anything up further either. On a positive note, thanks SO much for adding location!! I think the issue with road overlays being offset by many yards on some of the pre-1960 maps is also resolved, yay.
2017-02-21 07:31:01	jhankey	What is the "location" thing you're talking about? It sounds like it would be useful for my situation because on the old version I had a lot of topo maps that were really offset from their corresponding areas on the aerial photos.
2017-02-21 07:48:35	KimmietheMime	Not sure if it's what you mean, but under the overlay options on the left you can "allow location" like you would for navigation.
2017-02-21 08:35:55	jhankey	hmm...I'm not seeing it? Are you a subscriber?
2017-02-25 13:15:41	Dolari	I'm currently using Historic Aerials to plot the PAcific Highway through the Western States. Suddenly all the maps pre-1950 seem to be missing, including one I was just using before the site change....
2017-02-25 13:19:38	Brett	We have not removed content. It appears people are having problems recognizing the yellow scroll bar. We probably need to examine how the scroll is presented so it is more clear.
2017-02-25 16:56:20	Dolari	That's odd, cause I'm not seeing any yellow scroll bar where I'm looking. A few weeks ago, I was working on some very old maps of Wolf Creek, OR for my Pacific Highway trip. Those maps appear to be gone now (they only go back to 1954). The USGS service has the maps I'm looking for, but y'all have a better interface. :) BTW, I love the site, even the new setup. Just irked at the missing maps.
2017-02-25 17:43:08	Brett	Dolari, do you know what the scale was of those topo maps? Also, do you have the geo coordinates?
2017-02-25 17:57:00	Dolari	Don't remember the exact scale, but I do seem to think it's one of the larger scale maps from USGS. It's the 1904 Riddle Quadrangle on the USGS site. 42.694390, -123.395921 for Wolf Creek. Also, my town's early maps are gone, too! 1921's Duvall, WA from the Sultan Quadrangle Map is gone. You can only access 1963 up now. 47.742304, -121.986231
2017-02-27 09:14:38	Brett	Dolari, Are you positive those maps were previously showing on our website? The maps in question have a scale of 125,000 which should never have been displayed.
2017-02-27 09:24:50	V247244	Can't get locations to open. Seems like I'm not the only one. I am a subscriber and this is very frustrating.
2017-02-27 09:49:48	Brett	You posted to the wrong thread. Also, our records show that you are NOT a subscriber. As far as the search function it appears to be browser related and we have been unable to replicate it.
2017-03-01 17:50:18	Dolari	I'm absolutely positive those maps were there since I used them to plan roadtrips based on those older roads in your road map overlay in the older setup (I should give you special thanks in my US 99 roadtrip gallery!) Again, not a huge thing for me, since I can get those older maps from USGS, but your road overlay is better. :)
2017-03-13 16:24:12	Spongebob2004	It won't show pictures of it?.
2017-03-16 11:27:44	shermancahal	All topo maps seem to be unavailable. I also cannot access acme.mapper.com for topo maps.
2017-03-27 20:39:06	KimmietheMime	Readings others' comments helped me realize I'm experi3ending a scrolls g issue rather than actually missing any maps. In fact I was able to catch and load one of the invisible years so they are definitely there! So how to fix the scrolling? It only seems to be a problem in areas I've viewed before, which makes little sense given both the phone and tablet I'm using were purchased after the last time I visited the old website. No cookies should have survived!
2017-03-27 20:41:47	KimmietheMime	As you can see, replying on mobile browser isn't very effective either as scrolling in the text box doesn't work consistently and the first few lines were hidden until submitted.
2022-08-11 21:28:59	Marie143	In some cases, we've found historic aerials show a bridge and/or older alignment in early aerials. And topo maps. Will do. \| awning Manahawkin NJ

Please wait while we prepare your image

It appears that you have exhausted your credits for this month. That's ok, we'll spot you a few until your monthly subscription turns over. To get more credits before then, you might want to consider bumping your subscription to the next level. Otherwise, just wait until when you'll receive a new allotment for the month. If you still aren't satisfied, we would be happy to discuss your situation. Just call us during business hours at (xxx) xxx-xxxx.

Unfortunately you have spent your quota of credits for the month. To get more credits before then, you might want to consider bumping your subscription to the next level. Otherwise, just wait until when you'll receive a new allotment for the month. If you still aren't satisfied, we would be happy to discuss your situation. Just call us during business hours at (480) 967-6752.

As a subscriber you are allocated a set number of credits each month. By downloading imagery you will use one or more of your monthly credits. Topo downloads are included with your subscription and will not be subtracted from your credit allocation. To continue, simply click Ok, otherwise click Cancel.

Don't display this again

We admit it, websites can be confusing. Especially sites as unique as Historic Aerials. If you haven't worked any mapping websites, operation might not be obvious to you. To help you scale this short (we hope) learning curve, we have compiled this list of common tasks. We also encourage you to explore. Move the mouse around and try clicking on things. Don't worry, you won't break anything.

Note that this is an interactive guide. You can keep it on the screen while you try our suggestions. To move this guide to the side of the screen, just click and drag the heading of the popup window to wherever you want it.

Let's get started!

Navigation

Chances are, you aren't interested in the area we present to you by default. If you chose not to block your location, the default area will be your current location, or more specifically, the location of your Internet provider. Otherwise, you will be dropped off in Tempe, Arizona where our headquarters is located.

To move the map, drag it by clicking and holding down the left mouse button (or only mouse button if on a Mac.) With the mouse button pressed over the map, move the mouse and the map will pan. Go ahead and try it now.

That's all well and good you say, but the world is a big place. Panning to Fargo, North Dakota from Yuma, Arizona might take awhile. There's an easier way... see that text box in the upper left of the viewer with the text 'geo coordinates or street address'? Click on that text box and type Fargo, North Dakota, then click the 'go' button to the right, or press the [Enter] key. Your map should now display with a center location in Fargo, North Dakota.

The text search box works for street addresses, cities, and even landmarks. Try searching for Mount Rushmore.

Zoom

On the upper left side of the viewer content area are the zoom controls, indicated by the plus (+) and minus (-) sign. To zoom in, click on the plus, to zoom out, click on the minus.

Aerials

Maps are used for orientation, and we don't deviate from their utility. However, you likely came here to view some historic aerial imagery, not to view maps, right?

To view the aerial view of the current map location, you need to select an aerial year to display. Click on the aerials button in the top left of the viewer. You should see a list of years pop out to the right. These are the years of aerial coverage that we currently have for the area indicated by center point of the map. To select a year, just click on the year you want to see. The current year will now display under the aerials button and within a couple seconds, the imagery for that year will replace the map.

To select another year, click on the aerials button again and select a different year. Note that you can pan around, or zoom like we did with the map.

Topographic Maps

Ready for this? You already know how to view topographic maps. That's right, it works just like the aerial selection. Just click on the topos button and select the year you wish to view.

Atlases

Like the aerials and topos selectors, the atlases will let you view additional historical representations of the viewing area. We have geo-referenced digitized versions of historic maps and property boundary documents. This is also where you can select the map layer if you so desire. Note that our atlas selection is rather scarce as we are currently working on this arduous task.

Compare

You may have noticed that only one 'layer' (whether that be an aerial, topo, or atlas) can be displayed at one time. To provide you with the ability to compare two different years (or layers,) you can use one of the compare utilities. To activate, click on the compare button.

You'll see four icons:

turn compare off

view specific area in circle

compare two layers side by side

set transparency between layers

Try clicking on the slider. Click on the compare button followed by the side-by-side option. On the right side of the screen a selector will appear similar to the left side. When you are comparing two layers, think right and left side.

The map is the default layer for both sides. Go ahead and select an aerial year on the right side that is different from the left. The slider on top of the viewing area allows you to move the demarcation line between the two layers.

To turn the compare tool off, click on the compare button on the left, and click on the X icon. Poof! The right layer and associated selectors disappear.

Overlays

Unfortunately, photography from the sky doesn't come with labels. In other words, counties, cities and roads are rarely obvious. To help you identify these man-made labels, we provide overlays. You have the option to view major roads, all roads, counties, and cities. Just click on the overlay button and select which overlays you want to view. To turn overlays off, click on the X icon at the top of the compare tools.

Measure Distance

Often times distance isn't obvious when you're looking at some particular layer. The measure tool lets you measure real distance between points, and even calculate the area of a polygon.

Click on the measure button on the left. A flyout dialog appears on the lower left of the viewer. Click on the icon left of the option to Create a new measurement. Further instruction will prompt you to add points on the layer by clicking. When you are finished adding points, click the finish option. Another dialog will appear with your measurement. You can leave the object on the screen or remove it by clicking on the delete option on the result dialog.

Like the other buttons on the left, clicking the measure button will toggle the measurement dialog on or off.

Ordering Digital Imagery and Prints

Looking at historical photos is certainly interesting, but what if you want a snapshot of an area unencumbered by watermarks? You can purchase imagery in the form of digital images (jpeg, png, or GeoTiff). Or you can purchase a printout of a selected area.

See that text at the top of your viewer area that reads, 'purchase image and/or print'? An arrow to the left of that text points to yet another button. If you have selected a layer other than 'map' you can click that button to make a selection within the viewable space.

After you click that button with the square, you'll see the center area of the viewer remain lighter while the outside area becomes darker. This lighter area is the selected area you want to purchase. To change the size of the selected square, click and drag on one of the four corner handles indicated by a small white square.

After you have positioned the viewer and selected the area you want, click on the 'Purchase Selection button now displayed at the top of the viewer. If you are a registered user, your selection will be added to your shopping cart where you can select your purchase options.

Did you get a 'Guest Order' page? That's because you aren't logged in as a registered user. That's okay, we'll save your work and direct you to the registration page. Registration is easy, and free!

What's next?

Hopefully you're feeling like a pro by now, effortlessly navigating our historic aerial imagery from coast to coast. As you continue using Historic Aerials we hope that confidence grows. Our only advice is to try stuff. By now hopefully you've discovered that action buttons have hints by just hovering your mouse over it. You may also notice advantages of a mouse wheel in changing the zoom level. These, along with other tips will become apparent as you use our product. When in doubt, give it a click, and see what happens!