A wealth of information can be gleaned by looking at old, historical maps. And viewing these maps alongside KGIS's current data can provide helpful clues to archivists and armchair historians alike.

Therefore, KGIS is now introducing a new interactive mapping application, called Historical Maps, to allow for viewing informative maps from Knoxville and Knox County's past.

We've taken copies of several old maps, and, using GIS software, have rectified (i.e. warped, twisted, stretched) them to closely align with KGIS's current basemap. Since KGIS's basemaps are mapped to a much higher precision, utilizing the Tennessee State Plane Coordinate System NAD 83 horizontal datum and Lambert Conformal projection, many of these older maps do not easily align  themselves. Nevertheless, KGIS staff have attempted to match them to our current map by using control points around which to warp and twist the map...essentially forcing coincidence with our current-day map.

The rectification process was somewhat straighforward for some older maps, such as the USGS Topographic map quads. But for others, such as the Ogden 1895 map of Knoxville, there were significant areas of difference, especially along the outer edges, that presented quite a challenge. 

CLICK HERE for an overview of the features (and maps) available within the application. Tips on how to navigate the app itself can be found in this basic HELP Document.

The app can be accessed via the Knox Co Tennessee Historical Maps image (see left) that is located on KGIS's Home Page (look near the bottom of the Map Application section). It can also be accessed via the Online Tools dropdown. The app can also be accessed indirectly via the "Launch" dropdown tools available to several of the KGIS-hosted map apps. Below is a list of the maps currently available for viewing within the application USGS Topographic Quad maps 1897-1895, 1935-1936, 1936 - 1942, 1952- 1956,  1976-1992 CLT Tax maps (mostly of the rural portions of Knox County)  1987, 1954 - 1973 Cemeteries map 1985 Knox County road map 1944 Post Office map 1930 Pitner City map 1930 City Ward maps 1926 Crozier City map 1897 Ogden City map 1895 Vance Coffee Pill County map 1895 Sanborn City maps 1890, 1884 Birds Eye Downtown map 1871 Thompson Brothers \ Weste Downtown map 1867

Please contact us here at KGIS if you have any questions about the Historical Maps application.