Historic Aerials Blog

Delving into the past, one story at a time — exploring historical people, places, and events that shaped our world.

The Film That Mapped a Continent

What does it take to photograph an entire country? That question consumed military planners, government surveyors, and commercial mapping companies throughout the twentieth century. The answer turned out to hinge

Modern aerial view showing visible earthwork outlines and geometric shapes at the Junction Earthworks site, appearing as crop and vegetation patterns in an open field.

Archaeology from Above: How Historic Aerial Photos and LiDAR Reveal Time Depth in the Landscape

Historic aerial imagery plays a critical role in archaeology by preserving time depth—revealing how landscapes changed long before modern development erased surface evidence. A farm field in midsummer looks like

Labeled historic aerial image showing three generations of the National Road near West Alexander, Pennsylvania, including the original pike, U.S. Route 40, and Interstate 70.

The National Road: America’s First Highway

Tomorrow morning, many of us will slide behind the wheel without a second thought. Coffee secure in the cup holder. Climate-controlled air humming quietly. A familiar podcast filling the car

Glass photographic dry plate negative held up to light

How Dry Plates Solved Aerial Photography’s Biggest Problem

In 1860, if you wanted an aerial photo, you need more than just a camera. You needed a flying chemistry lab. The wet plate process required photographers to be part-aeronaut,

How Wet Plate Collodion Opened the Sky for Photography

On a summer afternoon in the mid‑19th century, a photographer in the field might be racing the clock—glass plate in hand, chemicals ready, light fading—knowing that once the collodion dried,

Panning panoramic aerial photograph showing widespread destruction in San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake and fire.

The First Time Humanity Saw a Disaster From the Sky

How did anyone photograph San Francisco from the air in 1906—years before airplanes existed?
George R. Lawrence’s panoramic image of the ruined city looks deceptively modern, but its creation

Above the Trenches: WWI and the Revolution in Aerial Reconnaissance

World War I is defined by its horrific mechanized violence that slaughtered millions of soldiers. The desperate necessities of that brutal war served as a catalyst for rapid technological development,

Unlock the Virtual Time Machine!

Sign up for our newsletter, The High Flyer, and gain exclusive insights tailored for historians, environmental due diligence professionals, archaeologists, surveyors, and metal detector enthusiasts. Stay updated with our latest advancements and content.

Sign Up Today!

FOLLOW US ON:

About

Introduction
Aerial Photos
Topographic Maps
Topographic Map Directory
Topographic Map Key
Aerial Coverage
Coverage Updates
Whats New!
Newsletter Signup

Legal

Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy

Affiliates

Public Records
Property Data Store
Environmental Data

Support

Contact Us
FAQ
Tutorials
Advertise
E Book
How to order prints