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Old Maps Online

Search hundreds of thousands of scanned historical maps by place and date, held by libraries worldwide.

Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.

How to get the most from it

Old Maps Online sits in History & Time under Learn, filed as coffee break.

  • Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
  • It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
  • It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
  • No account needed — you can start without signing up.
  • Go in expecting something beautiful, useful and nostalgic.

About this category: Historical maps, timelines, primary sources and the strange experience of seeing a moment in time laid out as an interface.

Good for

  • Filling a coffee break properly
  • Looking at something lovely
  • Getting something practical done
  • A trip back to the older internet
  • A quiet break at your desk
  • Killing time on your phone
  • Trying it with zero commitment

Old Maps Online: quick answers

Is Old Maps Online free?

Yes. Old Maps Online is free to use and needs no account.

Do I need an account to use Old Maps Online?

No. You can use Old Maps Online without signing up for anything.

Does Old Maps Online work on a phone?

Yes. Old Maps Online works on phones as well as desktop browsers.

Is Old Maps Online safe for work?

Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.

How long does Old Maps Online take?

We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.

More in History & Time

All 16 in History & Time
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    • 10 min
    • Desktop
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    • 10 min
    • Desktop
  • A daily high-resolution photograph from the early twentieth century, usually with commenters identifying the buildings.

  • Millions of images and 3D scans from the Smithsonian's collections, released with no copyright restrictions at all.

Same mood: beautiful

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Keep exploring

Have a site of your own? Suggest it for Detour or browse the AltFTool backlinks hub.