Map Collection

VPL has administrative and road maps for most countries of the world, and for cities, states, provinces and regions. There is a strong focus on maps of British Columbia, but other Canadian, American and international cities and regions are also covered.

Access: Use the A-Z Road Map Index to look-up the name of a specific city, country or region. The A-Z Road Map Index lists maps alphabetically by place name, and indicates the date, scale and publisher.

Hint: If you cannot find a particular place, remember to be flexible in your searching. For example, if you are looking for a map of Eureka, California and cannot find it under "E" for Eureka, try looking for a map under "C" for California - Northern.

Location: Level 6 Map Area filing cabinets.

Road Atlases

Road atlases usually include highways and secondary roads, as well as detailed street plans for major cities. Most road atlases are indexed so that locating a specific destination is easy.

Access: To find books containing road maps, search the online library catalogue. Using the default keyword search, enter [place or country name] and road maps as seen in the following examples:

• Europe road maps
• France road maps

Location: Road atlases are shelved with other atlases on Level 6.

Regional and City Maps

There are several other series of maps that provide additional sources for locating regional and city maps of British Columbia. Check with the Librarian for information on the series of electoral maps of B.C. and Survey Sectional maps of Vancouver.

Many municipal governments now provide mapping services and geographic information systems on the Internet. The City of Vancouver provides public access through VanMap.

This collection of maps contains trail and park maps of British Columbia, Washington State, and a few other Canadian and international parks and trails. Most provincial and national parks in B.C. and Alberta are covered. Forest District Recreation maps, Coastal Recreation maps and a complete set of provincial park maps are also found in this collection

Access: For B.C. trails and parks, use the Trail and Park Maps Index to look-up the name of a particular park or trail. A print copy of this index is available on Level 6.

Hints: If you cannot find a map under its most common name, try looking up the region where it is located instead. For example, if you are looking for a map of Yahk Provincial Park, you will find a note in the Index under "Yahk" that refers you to the Arrow and Kootenay Lake Forest District map.

If you are looking for maps of the West Coast Trail, simply look under "West Coast Trail".

The Forest District Recreation Maps are listed separately under Forest District Maps and there is a print index to this series on Level 6.

For trail and park maps located outside of British Columbia, look for the map you want in the Level 6 Map Area filing cabinets.

Location: Level 6 Map Area filing cabinets.

Topographic maps show cultural and natural features with a relatively high degree of accuracy and detail. Topographic maps are usually drawn at a fairly large scale (for example, 1:50,000 or 1:250,000) and have some kind of grid structure that allows the user to determine the precise geographical location of any feature. Because of their precision and scale, many applications are found for topographic maps, from planning recreational activities such as camping, hiking and fishing, to resource development and regional planning.

VPL has an extensive collection of Canadian topographical maps, in various scales. There is also partial coverage of many other countries.

BRITISH COLUMBIA - CANADA - UNITED STATES - GREAT BRITAIN - AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND - AFRICA - WORLD - USEFUL WEBSITES

British Columbia

Current coverage of B.C. includes a complete collection of maps at 1:50,000 and 1:250,000. Incomplete coverage of B.C. exists at 1:20,000 and in older series of topographic maps at scales ranging from 1:25,000 to 1:1,000,000.

Access: To find the topographic map you need, use the Gazetteer of Canada. British Columbia (Ref. 910.3 C2121g2), or NTS Index 5 (paper copy) in Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawer H21, or the B.C. Geographical Names information system.

Locations:

• 1:20,000 maps in Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawers H26 - H33
• 1:25,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawers
• 1:50,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawers 5.5 - 8.2
• 1:100,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 3.1
• 1:125,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 3.1
• 1:250,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawers 3.4 - 3.5
• 1:500,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 2.1
• 1:1,000,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 2.2

Canada

Although coverage of Canada is not as extensive as it is for B.C., VPL also has a significant collection of topographic maps of other places in Canada. Current maps are produced at scales 1:50,000 and 1:250,000. Older editions exist in scales of 1:25,000, 1:125,000 to 1:500,000 and 1:1,000,000.

Access: To find the map you need for any of the series below, use the Gazetteer of Canada series, or the NTS Indexes 1-6 (paper copies) in Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawer H21 or the Canadian Geographical Names database.

Locations:

• 1:25,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawers
• 1:50,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawers 4.1 - 8.2
• 1:125,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 3.1
• 1:250,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawers 3.2 - 3.5
• 1:500,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 2.1
• 1:1,000,000 maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 2.2

United States

Topographic maps of the U.S. are collected at 1:250,000 for the entire country; at two scales for Washington State, 1:24,000 and 1:62,500; and at 1:250,000 for Alaska.

Access: For any of the series listed below, use the index maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1. Indexes for the series below are in envelopes labelled:

• United States - Topography: USGS, 1:250,000
• United States - Topography: Washington, 1:24,000
• United States - Topography: Alaska, 1:250,000

Locations:

• Series of the entire U.S. at 1:250,000 is in Filing Cabinet Drawers 2.3 - 2.4
• Washington State maps at scales of 1:24,000 & 1:62,500 are in Filing Cabinet Drawers 1.1 - 1.3
• Alaska maps at 1:250,000 are in Filing Cabinet Drawer 2.2

Delorme State Atlases & Gazetteers

The series of Delorme state atlases and gazetteers is another excellent source of topographic information for the U.S. Scale of this series is approximately 1:250,000 (varies from state to state).

Location: Atlas shelves, 912.7 area.

Great Britain

Ordnance Survey produces topographic maps of Great Britain at various scales. VPL owns the Landranger Series, covering England, Scotland and Wales at a scale of 1:50,000.

Access: To find the topographic map you need, use the Ordnance Survey Gazetteer of Great Britain or the index map filed with the series.

Location: Filing Cabinet Drawers next to the Road Map Collection.

Australia

One series covers most of Australia at 1:1,000,000 and two series cover the Australian Antarctic Territory at 1:250,000 and 1:1,000,000.

Access: To find the map you need use the index maps in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in envelopes labelled:

• Australia - Topography, International Map of the World - scale 1:1,000,000
• Australian Antarctic Territory - Topography, scale 1:250,000 & 1:1,000,000

Location: Filing Cabinet Drawer 2.5.

New Zealand

Covers most of New Zealand (13 of 18 sheets) at a scale of 1:250,000.

Access: Index is printed on each sheet.

Location: Filing Cabinet Drawer 2.4.

Africa

There are two sets of maps of Africa at a scale of 1:2,000,000.

Access: To find the map you need for either of the series below, use the index map in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled:

• Africa - Topography, Series 2201, scale 1:2,000,000

Location: Filing Cabinet Drawer 2.5.

World

VPL has three different series of topographic maps that cover the entire world. They are at scales of 1:500,000, 1:1,000,000 and 1:2,500,000. Coverage is incomplete in all series.

Series 1404 - World Topographic Maps - scale 1:500,000

Access: Maps are filed numerically according to an international index system. A partial index map covering Europe and Africa is in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled:

• World - Topography, Series 1404 - scale 1:500,000

Location: Filing Cabinet Drawer 1.4.

International Map of the World - scale 1:1,000,000

Access: Maps are filed numerically according to an international index system. Index map is in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled:

• World - Topography - scale 1:1,000,000

Location: Filing Cabinet Drawers 1.3 - 1.4.

International Map of the World - scale 1:2,500,000

Access: Maps are filed numerically according to an international index system. Index map is in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled:

• World - Topography - scale 1:2,500,000

Location: Filing Cabinet Drawer 1.5.

Useful Websites

B.C. Geographical Names
Find geographical positions for official place names of B.C. Feature locations displayed on digital maps.

Canadian Geographical Names
Find Canadian place names with their coordinates and locations using this Natural Resources Canada database. Also allows for calculating distances between Canadian places.

Ordnance Survey
This website, from the national mapping agency of Great Britain, provides information on the products and services of the Ordnance Survey and describes their national mapping system.

Topographic Maps - The Basics
This Natural Resources Canada website explains how to read and use topographic maps, including the topics of scale, contours, UTM grids, the NTS system and more.

Hydrographic charts (also known as marine charts or nautical charts) map the surface waters of the Earth, thereby providing a valuable tool for marine navigation. They show the depth of water, position of coastlines, channels, reefs, and shoals and provide information on tides, currents and winds.
 

VPL maintains a collection of current hydrographic charts of B.C., most of the Arctic and some parts of Alberta and Ontario.

VPL does not keep current copies of U.S. marine charts.

Unlike most maps, individual Canadian charts do not include legends. To understand the symbols and abbreviations used on the charts, you must consult Chart 1 - Symbols, Abbreviations & Terms. You will find this in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 under Canada - Hydrographic Charts, Chart 1. There is also a copy in the atlas area: Ref. 912.0148 S98c. Or look at the website: How to read your paper charts.

Hydrographic Charts of Canada

Scale varies by chart.

Access: The index sheet for B.C. charts is in Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawer H21. For other parts of Canada, indexes are in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled:

• Canada - Hydrographic Charts

Location:

• B.C. charts are in Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawers H1 - H7
• Other Canadian charts are in Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawers H8 - H13

Useful Websites

Nautical Charts and Services
Information on hydrographic charts and bathymetric maps from the Canadian Hydrographic Service.

Bathymetric maps measure and map the depths of oceans, seas and other large bodies of waters. VPL has comprehensive coverage of B.C. and partial coverage of other parts of Canada and the world.

Bathymetric Maps of Canada - Natural Resource Maps Series

Scale: 1:250,000
Series covers all of B.C. and partially covers other parts of Canada.

Access: Index sheet is in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled:

• Canada - Bathymetric Maps - Natural Resource Maps, Pacific Region

Location: Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawers H22 - H25.

General Bathymetric Chart of the World's Oceans

Scale: 1:10,000,000
Series provides global coverage.

Access: Index sheet in Filing Cabinet Drawer 10.1 in an envelope labelled:

• World - Bathymetric Maps, General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans

Location: Horizontal Filing Cabinet Drawer H26.

VPL does not keep a current collection of aeronautical charts.

For information on Canadian aeronautical charts, see the NAV Canada website.

For information on U.S. aeronautical charts, see the website of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Thematic maps are special-purpose maps that show information on particular themes or subjects. The VPL collection of thematic maps is international in scope, with a special emphasis on British Columbia. There are maps on a wide variety of subjects, for example: First Nations' reservations, electoral boundaries, polar regions, historical events, land use, geology, epidemiology, economy, transportation, lunar charts, maps depicting the heavens and much more. Many National Geographic Society maps are also found in this collection.

Most of the thematic maps are catalogued; however those thematic maps which are issued as part of a series are not catalogued. Thematic maps which are catalogued are listed in VPL's online catalogue. For assistance in finding thematic maps, please see the Information staff.

Useful Websites

Atlas of Canada
This site from Natural Resources Canada provides maps of Canada covering every imaginable theme.

Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection
From the University of Texas, this site provides a large collection of scanned online map images and an extensive selection of links to other map websites.

VanMap
Lets you view data about Vancouver in map form. Includes traffic, property assessments, public art, zoning, sewer lines, view cones and much more.

Ancestry Library Edition
Available in the library only.

VPL has a limited number of aerial photographs and satellite images. Most of this material covers only Vancouver or Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Some items can be found hanging in the map display area. Others can be found by searching the library catalogue. The library also has a few individual aerial photographs, satellite images, books, audio-visual materials, and lists of selected websites with images derived from aerial photography and satellite data.

Aerial Photographs

Vancouver

VPL has the following excellent sources of aerial images of Vancouver:

McElhanney Image Bank. City of Vancouver, January 22/96 (1996)
Ref. 917.1133 M141i
This CD-ROM provides full-colour aerial photographs of Vancouver. Zoom in on areas, streets, landmarks or buildings from U.B.C. to Burnaby, and the Fraser River to Burrard Inlet.
Location: Request CD-ROM on Level 7 (Special Collections)

VanMap
This online mapping tool, developed by the City of Vancouver, provides aerial photographs of Vancouver.
Location: Online

Maps

Access: To find aerial photographs in map format, try the following Keyword search in the library catalogue:

• aerial photograph* map

Limit the search to maps by using the Format drop-down box under Narrow Results on the left of the screen.

Location: Hanging Map Cabinets and Display Maps area

Books

Access: To find books and other materials about aerial photography or containing aerial photographs, try the following Keyword search in the library catalogue:

• aerial photograph*

Beyond VPL

Outside VPL, extensive collections of aerial photographs can be found at:

• Geographic Data & Services (British Columbia Government)
• Air Photo Collection (Geographic Information Centre, U.B.C.)
• Global Air Photos Inc. (Maple Ridge)

Satellite Images

Maps

Access: To find satellite images in map format, try the following Keyword search in the library catalogue:

• remote sensing map

Limit the search to maps by using the Format drop-down box under Narrow Results on the left of the screen.

Location: Hanging Map Cabinets and Display Maps area

Books

Access: To find books and other materials about satellite imagery or containing satellite images, try the following Keyword search in the library catalogue:

• remote sensing

Useful Websites

USGS Landsat Missions
Images from all over the globe provided by the United States Geological Survey.

Visible Earth (NASA)
View images from all parts of the globe provided by NASA.

ATLASES - HISTORICAL COUNTRY ATLASES - PRINT GAZETTEERS - DIGITAL GAZETTEERS - USEFUL WEBSITES

Atlases

The atlas collection on Level 6 of the Central Library includes a wide variety of atlases. There are world atlases and atlases for most countries of the world that cover periods of time from the 1800s to present day. There are historical atlases of specific regions and historical topics such as the crusades, exploration and discovery and military campaigns. There are also topical atlases of archaeological sites, shipwrecks and specific peoples.

Other Library divisions also have atlases relating to their own subject areas. For example, atlases of plant distribution will be found in the Science collection, whereas atlases of commercial activities will be found in the Business collection. To determine the location of an item, check the View Availability Details section of the library catalogue in the Find it at VPL panel on the left side of the item record screen.

Access: Search the library catalogue, using the default keyword search. In the search box, enter the term atlases and the related nationality in which you are interested, for example:

• atlases British

Or enter the term atlas and the related country of interest, for example:

• atlas Germany

Location: Atlases for Level 6 are on the shelves behind the map filing cabinets, adjacent to the Map Area (call numbers 911 to 912) or on one of 10 atlas stands.

Some of our special atlases include:

National Atlas of Canada, 5th ed (1985)
Ref. 912.71 C21a4 (Atlas Stand 8)
This major Canadian work has a large collection of maps that illustrate the location and distribution of almost any conceivable subject from climate features or mining to language groups.

A Sto:Lo-Coast Salish Historical Atlas (2001)
970.3 C65S875c (Level 4 Oversize)
This award-winning publication uses maps, diagrams and photographs to illustrate 15,000 years of natural, cultural and spiritual history of the Coast Salish people, from the last great glaciation to the 21st century.

Historical County Atlases

This series of atlases, reprints of atlases published in the mid to late 1800s, provides a wealth of information for those interested in tracing their ancestors. The maps are of townships and villages, showing lots with the name of the owner or the lot number, orchards, churches, school houses, post offices, farm houses, factories, mills and railway lines, street names, creeks, rivers and ponds. Coverage includes Ontario counties and selected Quebec and Maritime counties. For more information on historical atlases, see the page on Historical Atlases from our Genealogy and Family History guide.

Location: Atlas Stands 1 - 4

Indexed in:

In Search of Your Canadian Past: The Canadian County Atlas Digital Project
Online database

The Central Canadians, 1600-1900: An Alphabetized Directory of the People, Places, and Vital Dates
Print: Ref. 929.37127 C39e

Print Gazetteers

Gazetteers offer lists of places and/or named geographical features, arranged in alphabetical order, with reference to their locations. Location references may be by longitude and latitude co-ordinates, by description, or directly linked to a specific map or atlas. Some gazetteers also offer brief descriptions or notes.

Access: To find published gazetteers in the library collection, search the library catalogue using Keyword. In the search box, type gazetteers and a place or country name, for example:

• gazetteers British Columbia

Location: Gazetteers are mostly on the shelves behind the filing cabinets, adjacent to the Map Area on Level 6 (call number area 910.3)

Some useful gazetteers include:

Gazetteer of Canada (series)
There is a gazetteer for each province and territory which provides co-ordinates and a direct link to the series of Canadian topographic maps.

Gazetteer of Canada. British Columbia, 3rd ed. (1985)
Ref. 910.3 C2121g2
The B.C. section of the Gazetteer of Canada.

The Ordnance Survey Gazetteer of Great Britain: All Names From the 1:50,000 Landranger Map Series (1987)
Ref. 910.3 G78o
Provides co-ordinates and a direct link to the Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps.

Index-Gazetteer of the World (1965)
Ref. 910.3 T58i
Comprehensive world gazetteer providing longitude and latitude co-ordinates, published by the London Times.

Digital Gazetteers

Many excellent online gazetteers are now available over the Internet, but if you are not sure about the exact spelling of a place name, remember that the benefit of print gazetteers is that you can browse an alphabetical list looking for correct spellings. Electronic gazetteers generally require precise and accurate spellings.

B.C. Geographical Names
Search for B.C. place names by entering either a place name or geographic co-ordinates. The results give the geographic co-ordinates, the corresponding topographic sheets and notes on the name's origin.

Canadian Geographical Names

Search for Canadian place names by entering either a place name or geographic co-ordinates. The results give the geographic co-ordinates, the corresponding topographic sheets and notes on the name's origin. This search tool also calculates the distance between any two points in Canada.

U.S. Board on Geographic Names
Offers a variety of search tools for identifying place names, topographic map sheets and other geographic information for domestic (U.S.), foreign and Antarctic names.

Geographic Names Server 
Search for place names and geographic information for areas outside the United States and Antarctica.

Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names Online
Search for place names in all continents and nations of the modern political world, as well as historical places. Although the emphasis of this database is on places that are important for art and architecture, it can be very useful when looking for historical places.

Useful Websites

Atlas of Canada
This site from Natural Resources Canada provides maps of Canada covering every imaginable theme.

Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection
From the University of Texas, this site provides a large collection of scanned online map images and an extensive selection of links to other map websites.

The historical maps and atlases housed in Special Collections on Level 7 complement source materials which document and illuminate the past of the geographic area of the Pacific Northwest.

Geographic Scope

The geographical limits of the map collection are: the present area of B.C.; old Oregon County, i.e. Oregon and Washington territory to 1846 when the 49th parallel was established as the United States - Canadian boundary; some Alberta material for the approach to the mountain barrier and its exploration; pre-1898 Yukon Territory and the Klondike gold rush; Alaska pre-1867 and the Alaska boundary dispute; and the Bering Sea to the conclusion of the fur seal arbitration issue. The majority of maps in the collection are of British Columbia.

Chronological Scope

The map collection consists of a few maps from the 1700s, a larger number from the 1800s and a majority from the 1900s. Maps from after 1985 are kept in the History and Government collection on the 6th floor.

Special Handling of Early Maps

Patrons must note the complete call number and title of the map they wish to see on a request form located at the Special Collections information desk. All maps are retrieved by Special Collections staff.

Maps must be handled extremely carefully as they form part of the Northwest History heritage collection. Special care in handling maps is important to ensure their preservation. Maps are for reference use only in the Special Collection Department Reading Room. Photocopying of maps is not permitted owing to their fragility. In some cases copies of maps exist on aperture cards; these may be copied. Maps may be photographed.

TYPES OF MAPS - CATALOGUE SEARCH TIPS - LOCATING PLACE NAMES - FURTHER RESEARCH - USEFUL WEBSITES

Types of Maps

The map collection includes the following types of maps:

• Early city maps of Vancouver
• Street maps of some B.C. municipalities
• Fire insurance plans of Vancouver:
  • Detailed block by block maps of buildings, used by fire insurance underwriters to assess buildings for fire risk
  • Very useful for conducting research on a Vancouver building's history
• Early auction/real estate maps:
  • Real estate described for sale
  • Useful for researching a property's history
• Hydrographic charts of the Pacific coast:
  • Maps of the coast of British Columbia produced by the British Navy for navigational purposes between 1859 and 1930
• Bird's eye maps:
  • Several early maps of Vancouver that present a panoramic view of the city
• Older topographic maps (various scales) - these are useful for identifying:
  • Shipping routes and steamship calls
  • Trails
  • Transit and transportation routes
  • Boundary disputes
  • Locations of post offices
  • Locations of mines
  • River systems
  • Locations of shipwrecks
  • Railway lines
  • Logging camps and sawmills
  • Canneries
  • Whaling stations
  • Fish hatcheries
  • Locations of settlements
  • First Nations reservations
  • Distribution of First Nations languages

Catalogue Search Tips

Maps can be searched a number of ways, most commonly by title, author or subject, but also by call number, series, publisher keyword, format or general keyword.

1. Title: In most cases, a map’s title will be the name of the geographical area it covers, or of a prominent geographical feature found in it. For example, an early map of Vancouver from when it was a settlement called Granville may be searchable under Granville. All maps in the online catalogue should have [cartographic material] as part of the title. Patrons must make note of the title if they wish to view a map.

2. Author: Some maps will have the name of an individual as the author, but many do not credit their designers. Such maps usually have the publisher’s name given as the author.

3. Call number: Patrons must make note of the call number if they wish to view a map.

4. Subject headings: As mentioned, the subject headings include the geographical region covered by the map (in this case, Vancouver), as well as other notable features. In this example, these features include the names of businesses on the map (Coal Harbour Fishery, Hastings Sawmill Company) and the type of map (Insurance, Fire).

5. Aperture cards: Many of Special Collections’ best maps have been reproduced on aperture cards (cards that hold a frame of microfilm) to preserve the originals. These can be used to view and print the map using Special Collections’ microfiche reader/printer. If a map is also available in aperture card, this is noted in the Local Note field.

6. Notes: Additional information about the map can be found in this field. These notes can be especially useful when conducting detailed research or trying to identify the features of a particular map. To search for words in this field, do a general keyword search (select Key words anywhere in the Search drop down menu).

7. Format: All maps in the library’s collection should have the format code MAP. Items that appear to be maps, but do not have this code, may be atlases, map books or other similar items.

8. Collection: This will indicate if a map is in Special Collections or another division or branch of the library.

9. Item Type: All items in Special Collections, including maps, are for reference use only and cannot be signed out.

For additional information on historical maps, try using these subject headings in the online catalogue:

• British Columbia –- Maps
• British Columbia –- Maps, Physical
• British Columbia –- Historical Geography –- Maps
• Ghost Towns –- British Columbia –- Maps
• Vancouver (B.C.) –- Historical Geography –- Maps
• Washington (State) -– Historical Geography –- Maps
• Oregon -- Historical Geography –- Maps
• Yukon Territory -– Maps
• Yukon Territory -– Boundaries -– British Columbia –- Maps
• Yukon Territory -– Historical Feography -– Maps
• Alaska –- Historical Geography –- Maps

Locating Place Names

Gazetteers are geographical indexes that list settlement names, islands, mountains, creeks, lakes, rivers, etc. and provide brief verbal descriptions of feature locations, as well as exact topographical map references.

Gazetteer of Canada. British Columbia 
NW 910.3 C2121g1

Geographical Gazetteer of British Columbia
Includes information on: the history of place naming in the province; how the development through mining changed the outlook for the region; and how the nature of settlements was changed following railway construction throughout the province. This gazetteer also provides an alphabetical listing of the location of historical monuments and tablets in the province; road, railway and shipping distance tables; a table of spelling and pronunciation of named features indexed; and an explanation of the climatic zones throughout the province. Post offices and railway-stations are also indexed.
NW 910.3 B86g

Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names, 1897-1979, British Columbia [microform]
Includes decisions from Geographic Board of Canada, 1867-1948; Canadian Board on Geographic Names, 1948-1961; Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographic Names, 1961-1979. Indicates names changes, variants and origins of names on maps.
Level 6: Ref Microfiche 910.3 B86C

British Columbia Place Names
This edition of British Columbia place names includes 2,400 place names, chosen using two principal criteria: (i) the geographical prominence of the feature described, and (ii) the cultural or historical importance of the name the feature bears. Also, when a name is redolent of B.C. life, or carries with it an anecdote that the authors felt they did not want the reader to miss the name has been included.
NW 910.3 B86aa

British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906
A landmark work by Walbran, who travelled between the strait of Juan de Fuca and Dixon entrance for years, commanding the Canadian government ship Quadra. Through his travels, he became thoroughly versed in the geography of the B.C. coast, and acquired an extensive knowledge of place names and their origins, most notably First Nations, British and Spanish. (Circulating reprint edition on Level 6: 910.3 W86w2.)
NW 910.3 W15b

The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names: A Complete Reference to Coastal British Columbia
Updates the original Captain John T. Walbran volume: double the size and includes three times more place names. It tells the stories behind the place names and illustrates the history of the region in capsule form. Four thousand entries describe over five thousand place names: how they were discovered, who named them and why, and what the names reveal.
NW 910.3 S42e

Place Names of the Delta of the Fraser
This work covers the history of place names one hundred miles east from the Strait of Georgia, bounded on the north by the Coast Mountains, on the east by the Cascades, with its southern limits in the State of Washington.
NW 910.3 N42p1

Oregon Geographic Names
More than 5,400 entries of state place names are included (ranging from Linn County's Aberdeen to Zwagg Island in Curry County). Dates are given as to when the names were first used, also reasons for the choice of names with special and often colourful pertinent information that gives the reader insight into the history of each name. The work often lists alternate names by which a place has been, and continues to be known.
NW 910.3 066m4

Origin of Washington Geographic Names
A reprint of a book originally published in 1923. It contains 2813 entries, some of which are cross references to obsolete place names found in older documents. Most entries include the location of the place, the origin of the name and sometimes the history of the name, especially if it has changed over time.
NW 910.3 M48o

Yukon: Places and Names
This volume is both a place name dictionary, as well as a dictionary of local history. It explains the origins of place names in Yukon, gives their locations and geographical co-ordinates, and usually relates some aspect of the place’s history.
NW 971.21 C87y

Dictionary of Alaska Place Names
An exhaustive volume that functions as a combined place name dictionary and gazetteer of Alaska. Entries include the location of the place, it’s geographical co-ordinates and, if a place name has undergone changes, the history of the name.
Central Adult Ref. Nonfiction 910.3 A323o1

Historical Atlas of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest: Maps of Exploration: British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Yukon
This stunningly illustrated historical atlas details how, over time, the mysteries of the North Pacific have been probed. It is a treasure chest of five hundred years of maps, from antique charts drawn at the beginning of the sixteenth century to modern satellite images of today.
NW 912.711 H41h1

Historical Cartography of British Columbia, with a Separate Appendix of Maps
Volume 1 is a thesis which discusses the history of mapping of British Columbia. Volume 2 is an atlas of B.C. maps.
NW 912.711 F23h Vols. 1 and 2

Further Research

Vancouver City Development

Two birds eye maps, dating from 1890 and 1898, give a panoramic view of the city. Fire insurance maps can be used to trace the development of city blocks, and the early city maps give an overview of the city. Try using these subject headings in the online catalogue:

• Panoramas –- British Columbia –- Vancouver
• Fire Insurance -- British Columbia -- Vancouver -- Maps
• Vancouver (B.C.) –- Maps

History of a Building or Home

Fire insurance maps provide information about every structure on a given city block, including type of construction, storeys, building position, driveways, and location of oil tanks and water hydrants. Special Collections has maps from 1885 (when the city was known as Granville), 1889, 1913, 1944 and 1954-1961. Use the following subject heading in the online catalogue:

• Fire Insurance - British Columbia - Vancouver - Maps

Transportation History

Transit and street maps in Special Collections can be used to trace the development of Vancouver’s transportation system. Try using these subject headings in the online catalogue:

• Street Railroads -– British Columbia -– Vancouver –- Maps
• Electric Railroads -– British Columbia -– Vancouver -– Maps
• Local Transit –- British Columbia -– Vancouver Metropolitan Area –- Maps
• Urban Transit –- British Columbia –- Vancouver Metropolitan Area -– Maps
• Local Transit –- British Columbia –- Vancouver – Maps

Useful Websites

British Columbia Archives - Maps
Catalogue descriptions in the B.C. Archives online catalogues identify individual maps and architectural drawings, map/plan series and map/plan collections. Cartographic material includes: British Admiralty charts 1848-1955, B.C. Government lithographed regional maps series, 1911-1991, including pre-emptors', geographic, land, topographic, and mineral reference map series. The descriptions cover approximately 10,000 items, roughly one third of the described maps and plans in the total map collection.

BC Geographical Names 
The policies and procedures for geographic place naming are summarized on this website. Includes: details on who is responsible for geographical names, information pertaining to the Geographical Names Board of Canada, geographical naming principles and general names for unnamed features, use of personal names, how to propose a geographical name, etc. Also included is a map of Nisga'a Lands which provides access to new names throughout the region.

Atlas of Canada 
The first edition of the National Atlas of Canada was published in 1906 by the Department of the Interior. The Canadian government continues to publish the atlas in print, but has also developed this fantastic online version. In addition to a number of geographical, thematic and political maps, there are some historical maps to be found under the History menu option. The Map Archives menu option provides access to scans of 943 maps from all five previous editions of the atlas.

Fire Insurance Maps for BC 
Fire insurance maps show the character of insured buildings, including the shape and size of a building; the type of construction or materials used; the existence of fire protection facilities; and the use of the building. Library and Archives Canada made these maps available to the public as PDFs and may take a few minutes to load.

Victoria Fire Insurance Plans (University of Victoria Libraries)
Drawn from the BC Archives collection, Victoria fire insurance plans from 1895 to 1916 can be viewed online.

City of Vancouver Archives
View online Vancouver area fire insurance plans from the City of Vancouver Archives.

If you can't find the map you're looking for at the Vancouver Public Library, the following Lower Mainland libraries, agencies and bookstores may be able to help you.

Air Photo Collection (Geographic Information Centre, UBC)
A large collection of aerial photos as well as maps of BC.

Natural Resources Canada
The library of Natural Resources Canada in Vancouver is open to the public.

International Travel Maps and Books
This commercial store sells travel, recreation and road maps, and topographic maps of BC.

McElhanney
Provides B.C. mapping products such as TRIM maps, air photos & satellite imagery.

Rare Books and Special Collections - Map Collections (UBC)
A collection of maps, charts, and plans of British Columbia of historical value.

Simon Fraser University - GIS and Maps Information Resources
A significant collection of maps, including topographic maps of Canada and the United States.

UBC Maps and Atlases
The University of British Columbia has one of the largest collections of maps and atlases in Canada. This collection is open to the general public.

City of Vancouver Archives
The Vancouver archives has a collection 4,000 maps, dating from the late 1700s to the present day. The maps, most of which are of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, come from a variety of sources, both public and private. Over half of these maps have been digitized and can be viewed online.