Maps, while recognized as “the most important tool in geography,” are also a popular and effective resource for teaching American History.
Historic maps are more than geographic sketches of place — they also contain stories of people, migrations, places, and capture the attitudes of those who made them and represent views of their time.
Many can be viewed, downloaded, printed on standard 8.5 x 11 paper, and available in mini-poster maps for purchase.
American History Maps (See Below)

Colonial America by the Exxon Corporation, 1972. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

French Explorations of the West by the Carnegie Institution, 1932. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

Spanish Explorations of the Southwest by the Carnegie Institution, 1932. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

American Explorations by the Carnegie Institution, 1932. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

The United States after the American Revolution by Linweave Paper Company, 1957. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

Boundaries after Louisiana Purchase and Florida Acquisition by Karl Smith, 1958. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

United States Map by Anthony Finlay, 1824. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

United States Map by Simpkin & Marshall, 1832. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

Explorer Map – 1501-1844 by the US Geological Survey. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

United States Map, 1853. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

Westward Expansion by the Esso Standard Oil Company, 1958. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

Growth of the United States by the Exxon Corporation, 1976. Click map for 8.5 x 11 printing. Click HERE for mini-poster print.
© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated April 2023.