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Research Guide to Aerial Photographs at the Connecticut State Library
Aerial Survey of Fenwick
Old Saybrook, Connecticut
1934 Photograph 02847
The Connecticut State Library (CSL) holds several statewide aerial photograph collections and additional smaller collections. All are “secured collections” that are retrieved by library staff and which must be used within the Archives/Secured Collections Reading Area (ARA), located in the History and Genealogy Unit (H&G). Some Connecticut aerial photos are also available online including the 1934, 1938 hurricane and the 1965 surveys.
Aerial Photos Available at CSL
- 1934 | 1951-2 | 1965 | 1970 | 1975 | 1980 | 1985-6 | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | Additional aerial photo collections
About Aerial Photographs |
Related Information |
Policies on Use of CSL Aerial Photos |
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Helpful Resources
City Directories. The State Library has an extensive collection of original and microfilmed Connecticut directories from the early nineteenth century to the present. Use the Connecticut State Library catalog (“CONSULS”) to identify directories available for use at the State Library. For example, you may do a “Keyword” search on “Norwich Conn directory.”
Connecticut Aerial Photography Mosaics
from the University of Connecticut Map and Geographic Information Center
(“MAGIC”).
Connecticut Towns [Map].
Use this map from the Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection to locate towns.
Connecticut Towns and Counties. Connecticut is currently divided into 169 "towns" with distinct geographical boundaries. Each of these towns may contain incorporated cities or boroughs, as well as villages, post offices, and railroad depots without a distinct government.
Digital Sanborn Maps, Connecticut. Available at the State Library. Provides digital access to Sanborn fire insurance maps for Connecticut towns and cities between 1867 and 1970.
Distances Within
Connecticut..
Mileage between Connecticut towns.
The Face of Connecticut: People, Geology and the Land.. Highlights the landscape and geology of Connecticut. Includes geological sketches and photos.
Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Contains information about approximately 2 million physical and cultural geographic features in the United States and its territories.
GIS Dictionary, from University of Edinburgh and Association for Geographic Information.
Glossary of Cartographic Terms, from Perry-Casteñada Library Map Collection.
History of Aerial Photography in Connecticut ranging from an 1885 balloon flight to the 1995 aerial survey of the state.
Historic USGS Maps of New England and New York. An online collection of over 1,500 USGS topographic maps. Includes complete geographical coverage of New England and New York from the 1890s to 1950s.
Interpreting Aerial Photographs, from USGS TerraServer.
Maps and Geography.. Research guide to resources at the State Library and elsewhere.
Report on the State Library Scanning Projects.
Understanding and Interpreting Aerial Photographs.
Unique Connecticut Place Names.. Determine if the place you know is one of the 169 towns or one of the named boroughs, villages, post offices or railroad depots.
Connecticut Aerial Surveys by Year
The 1934 Aerial Survey
State Archives Record Group 89:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation
Dates of photography: April and May 1934
Photographed by: Fairchild Aerial Survey, Inc. for the State Planning Board
Scale of photography: 1:14,000
Size of prints 7 ¼" x 9 ½"
Scale of index 1:62,500 (based on USGS topographic maps)
Mosaic panels 24” x 29”
Online: 1934 aerial photos in CSL digital collections | 1934 Mosaic from the MAGIC website.
1934 Prints
CSL has 8,731 prints from the 1934 Aerial Survey. These can be viewed in
person at CSL or
online. A selected
number of larger 18" x 14" prints
(Accession 95-037) from the Office of the District Forester is also
available for use at CSL.
Using original 1934 aerial photos at the State Library.
- Identify which photograph(s) you wish to view, using our
online town map,
street map and 1934 index sheets.
OR
Use the original index sheets in the History and Genealogy Reading Room.
- Find the index sheet number(s) for the location(s) you need. A chart labeled "Index by Towns" gives index sheet numbers for each town. For example, from this sheet you will learn that Hartford is on index sheets 11 and 19.
- Locate the index sheet needed. The index sheet number is located in the bottom left corner of each index sheet. Each index sheet is accompanied by a like-numbered topographic map.
- Identify specific photograph(s) by using the index sheets and topographic maps. Each numbered block on the index sheet represents a survey photograph. Record (on scrap paper, for now) the number of each photograph you want to see. While only every other photograph is numbered on the index sheet, the Archives holds most photographs whether or not the number is shown on the index sheet (but see next bullet).
- Check the 1934 Aerial Survey List of "No Print" and Missing Photographs.
2. Fill out the request slip, indicating the photo number.
1934 Mosaic. In 1935, employees of the Connecticut National Guard and the State Highway Department pieced the 7 " x 9" photographs together to form a mosaic covering the entire state. The mosaic panels can be viewed in person at the State Library, and the entire mosaic is available online through the University of Connecticut Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC).
The 1951-1952 Aerial Survey
Record Group 89: 11b, Records of the Department of Transportation
Dates of photography: Between October 1951 and June 1952
Photographed by: Robinson Aerial Surveys, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Agriculture Stabilization and Marketing Service
Scale of photography: 1:20,000
Size of prints 9 7/8" x 9 7/8"
Size of image 9" x 9"
Online: 1951-1952 aerial photos from the MAGIC website. (Online collection may not be complete).
Using original 1951-52 aerial photos at the State Library.
- Find the correct index sheet. An outline of a county is printed on each index sheet; the shaded area is the portion of the county covered by that particular index sheet. There are one to five sheets for each county.
- Find and record the number(s) of the photograph(s) you want. On the index sheet, each photograph has a three part letter-and-digit code, such as CNG-1H-4.
- A box number, rather than a flight line, is needed to locate photographs from this survey. Consult the 1951 Aerial Survey Box Locator, which lists the range of photo code numbers within each box. Find and record the correct box number for each photograph.
- Fill out the request slip, indicating the three-part photo code number and the box number.
Copy print information:
Robinson Aerial Survey, Inc., 1 Edgeview Dr., Hackettstown, NJ 07840,
tel. 908-813-3900, FAX 908-813-3967, still holds copies from this survey.
Photos may also be purchased from the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Aerial Photography
Field Office, 2222 West 2000 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84119-2020, tel.
801-524-3503.
The 1965 Aerial Survey
These photographs show the land use and ground conditions at a time of substantial development in the state. Approximately 3,200 photographs were taken in flight lines flown on an east to west axis.
Record Group 89:11c, Records of the Department of Transportation
Dates of photography: March and April 1965
Photographed by: Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., for the Department of Public Works
(Project B1-AG-4LRP)
Set 1
Scale of photography: 1:5,280
Size of prints 23" x 23"
Scale of index 1:63,360
Set 2
Scale of photography: 1":500'
Eight packages identified only by flight line.
Offsite.
Online: 1965 aerial photos in CSL digital collections
Using original 1965 aerial photos at the State Library.
1. Identify which photograph(s) you wish to view, using our
online town maps and
street maps.
OR
Use the original index sheets in the History and Genealogy Reading Room.
- Find the index sheet(s) for the area(s) in which you are interested. A simplified representation of the state is printed on each index sheet, with the shaded area showing the portion on that sheet.
- Find the photograph number(s) for the area(s) you wish to view. Every photograph is numbered in a corner.
- Find the correct flight line number. Only every tenth flight line number is marked (on the left side of the index sheet); you must count between these for the correct flight lines of most photographs. There is also a large mylar-covered map of the state found with the index; it also shows the flight lines.
- Check the 1965 Aerial Survey List of Flight Lines and Missing Photographs. The list, arranged by flight line, gives the range of odd numbered photographs available as well as any photographs known to be missing within the range. Please note that with the exception of #1188 we do not hold even numbered original photographs for this survey, but since the photographs overlap each other, the entire state is covered.
2. Fill out the request slip, indicating the photo number and flight line.
Copy print information:
Contact
Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., PO Box 21059, Philadelphia, PA 19114-0559,
tel. 215-677-3119.
The 1970 Aerial Survey
Record Group 89:11d, Records of the Department of Transportation
Dates of photography: February, March, and April 1970
Photographed by: Keystone Aerial Survey, Inc. for the State Department of Transportation.
Set 1: ("Large Set")
Scale of photography: 1:6,000
Size of prints 20 ½" x 20 ½"
Scale of index 1:63,360
Set 2: ("Small Set")
Scale of photography: 1:12,000
Size of prints 9 3/8" x 9 3/8"
Scale of index 1:63,360
Online: 1970 aerial photos from the MAGIC website. (Online collection may not be complete).
Using original 1970 aerial photos at the State Library.
Most information about using the 1965 aerial survey also pertains to this
one. However, every flight line, rather than each tenth line, is indicated on
the 1970 index sheets, and there is no map showing flight lines as with the
1965 survey.
The “Large Set” includes only about half of the photos from the survey, but since the photographs overlap each other, the entire state is covered.
The “Small Set” is fairly complete. However, most photos have parcel boundaries or other project information marked in red which may affect their usefulness.
- Follow steps 1 and 2 from the 1965 instructions, above.
- Find the correct flight line number. Every flight line number is marked (on the left side of the index sheet). (The state map showing flight lines for the 1965 survey can not be used with this survey.)
- For the “Large Set”, check the 1970 Aerial Survey List of Flight Lines and Missing Photographs (Large Set). The list, arranged by flight line, gives the range of odd and even numbered photographs available, as well as any photographs known to be missing within the range.
- For the “Small Set, check the 1970 Aerial Survey List of Flight Lines and Missing Photographs (Small Set). [This is still in preparation in Nov 2006.]
- Fill out the request slip, indicating the photo number and flight line. Be sure to specify whether you want photos from the "large set" or from the "small set". If no preference is indicated, aerials from the "large set" will be pulled.
Copy print information:
Contact Keystone
Aerial Surveys, Inc., PO Box 21059, Philadelphia, PA 19114-0559, tel. 215-677-3119.
The 1975 Aerial Survey
RG 89, Records of the Department of Transportation
Dates of photography: March, April, and May 1975
Photographed by: Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., Glenside, PA
Scale of photography: 1:12,000
Size of prints 18" x 18"
Scale of index 1:63,360
Online: Not available.
Using original 1975 aerial photos at the State Library.
Most information about using the 1965 aerial survey also pertains to this
one. However, every flight line, rather than each tenth line, is indicated on
the 1975 index sheets, and there is no map showing flight lines as with the
1965 survey.
- Follow steps 1 and 2 from the 1965 instructions, above.
- Find the correct flight line number. Every flight line number is marked (on the left side of the index sheet). (The state map showing flight lines for the 1965 survey can not be used with this survey.)
- Check the 1975 Aerial Survey List of Flight Lines and Missing Photographs. The list, arranged by flight line, gives the range of odd numbered photographs available as well as any photographs known to be missing within the range. Please note that with a few exceptions, we do not hold even numbered photographs for this survey. However, since the photographs overlap each other, the entire state is covered.
- Fill out the request slip, indicating the photo number and flight line.
Copy print information:
Contact Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., PO Box 21059, Philadelphia, PA
19114-0559, tel. 215-677-3119.
The 1980 Aerial Survey
RG 79, Records of the Department of Environmental Protection
Dates of photography: March and April 1980
Photographed by: Aero Graphics Corp., Bohemia, NY
Scale of photography: 1:12,000
Size of prints 9" x 9"
Scale of index 1:50,000
This set includes a time stamp on the photographs at the beginning and end of number runs. Thus, in a run from photo number 995 through 1025, 995 and 1025 would be stamped, but not the images in between.
Online: Not available.
Using original 1980 aerial photos at the State Library.
Find the index sheet(s) for the area(s) in which you are interested. A simplified
representation of the state is printed on each index sheet, with the shaded
area showing the portion on that sheet.
- Find the photograph number(s) for the area(s) you wish to view. Every image of a photograph on the index sheet has a sequence of three numbers separated by hyphens in a corner. The photograph number is the set of numbers on the right.
- Find the correct flight line number. The flight line is the middle set of numbers.
- Check the 1980 Aerial Survey List of Flight Lines and Missing Photographs.
- Fill out the request slip, indicating the photo number and flight line.
Copy print information:
Aero Graphics, Inc., 1575 Smithtown Ave., Bohemia, NY 11716, tel. 516-589-6045,
FAX 516-589-6047.
The 1985-1986 Aerial Survey
RG 79, Records of the Department of Environmental Protection
Dates of photography: March and April of 1985 and 1986
Photographed by: Aero Graphics Corp., Bohemia, NY
Scale of photography: 1:12,000
Size of prints 9" x 9"
Scale of index 1:24,000
This set includes a time stamp as per the 1980 set.
Online: 1985-1986 aerial photos from the MAGIC website. (Online collection may not be complete).
Using original 1985-1986 aerial photos at the State Library.
Locate the information needed to complete your archives request slips by
following the steps for 1980, above, checking the
1985-86 Aerial
Survey List of Flight Lines and Missing Photographs.
Copy print information:
Aero Graphics, Inc., 1575 Smithtown Ave., Bohemia, NY 11716, tel. 516-589-6045,
FAX 516-589-6047.
The 1990 Aerial Survey
RG 79, Records of the Department of Environmental Protection
Dates of photography: March and April of 1990
Photographed by: Aero Graphics Corp., Bohemia, NY
Scale of photography: 1:12,000
Size of prints 9" x 9"
Scale of index 1:24,000
This set includes a time stamp as per the 1980 set.
Online: 1990 aerial photos from the MAGIC website. (Online collection may not be complete).
Using original 1990 aerial photos at the State Library.
Locate the information needed to complete your archives request slips by
following the steps for 1980, above, checking the
1990 Aerial Survey
List of Flight Lines and Missing Photographs.
Copy print information:
Aero Graphics, Inc., 1575 Smithtown Ave., Bohemia, NY 11716, tel. 516-589-6045,
FAX 516-589-6047.
The 1995 Aerial Survey
RG 79, Records of the Department of Environmental Protection
Dates of photography: April and May 1995
Photographed by: ASI Landmark
Scale of photography: 1" = 1,000'
Size of prints 9 3/8" x 9 ½"
Online: 1995 aerial photos from the MAGIC website. (Online collection may not be complete).
Using original 1995 aerial photos at the State Library.
- Find the index sheet(s) for the area(s) in which you are interested. A simplified representation of the state is printed on each index sheet, with the shaded area showing the portion on that sheet.
- Find the photograph number(s) for the area(s) you wish to view. Blue dots on the index sheet represent the middle of each photograph. To the right of each dot is a sequence of two numbers separated by hyphens. The photograph number is the set of numbers to the right of the hyphen.
- Find the correct flight line number. The flight line is the set of numbers to the left of the hyphen.
- A list of flight lines and missing photographs is not yet available for this survey.
- Fill out the request slip, indicating the photo number and flight line.
Copy print information:
Aerial-Photo Services, 609 West Littleton Blvd., Suite 108, Littleton, CO 80120,
tel. 303-922-1642
The 2000 Aerial Survey
RG 79, Records of the Department of Environmental
Protection
Dates of photography: April 2000, with some retakes in April 2001
Photographed by: AERO-METRIC, INC.
Scale of photography: 1" = 1,000'
Size of prints 18" x 18"
Online: Not available.
Using the original 2000 aerial photos at the State Library.
- Find the index sheet(s) for the area(s) in which you are interested. A 2002 Connecticut Transportation Map shows the index sheet numbers A1 through E1.
- Find the photograph number(s) and flight line(s) for the area(s) you wish to view. The intersection of the red lines on the index sheet represent the middle of each photograph. To the left of the map is the number representing the photograph number; the flight line is the number on the bottom of the page.
- The Connecticut State Library Archives only holds odd numbered photographs. Flight Line 16 is missing.
- Fill out the request slip, indicating photo number and flight line.
Copy print information:
AERO-METRIC, INC., 4020 Technology Parkway, Sheboygan, WI 53083, tel.
920-457-3631.
Additional Aerial Photograph Collections
Record Group 5, Records of the Governor
John Dempsey, Box 1-497B, Envelope 131. This envelope contains photographs of the 1955 flood in Putnam, Connecticut.
Record Group 79, Records of the Department of Environmental Protection
Series 4, Aerial Photo Surveys. These include:
1931 West Shore Aeroplane Mosaic
1932 Survey of Connecticut Coastline. This 26-sheet survey has a 1':912' scale.
Sheet 1 is missing.
There are other photos in this series. See the printed RG 79 finding aid in
the History and Genealogy Unit for further
information.
Record Group 89:11e, Records of the Department of Transportation
Item No. 24, Miscellaneous Photographs, ca. 1938-1970. Six collections of specialized small flights, most covering specific projects on individual roads or intersections. Originally given by DOT to the Connecticut Historical Society, they were transferred to the State Archives in 1986.
I. River surveys following the 1955 flood
II-V Highways and towns (listings give the years and locations)
VI. Small aerial photographs copied from originals at the National Archives.
See the printed RG 89 finding aid in the History and Genealogy Unit for further information.
Picture Group 160, Floods and Hurricanes of Connecticut, 1936, 1938, 1955
This group contains three collections of which two - the 1936 and 1938 - include aerial photographs taken by the U.S. Air Corps. One shows the effects of the 1936 flood. The other, taken on the 23rd and 24th of September, 1938, shows the areas most affected by flooding after the 1938 Hurricane blasted through New York and New England on September 21. The State Library has mounted 132 oblique views of the damaged areas along the Connecticut River, the Quinebaug River, and along the shore from East Haven in Connecticut to Narragansett Bay in Rhode island online. The photographs of the 1955 floods do not include aerials.
Picture Group 140, United Aircraft Corporation Helicopter Portraits of Connecticut.
This group contains 33 views taken from a helicopter about 1956.
912.7462 Ea745a, East Haddam, 1930s
This collection contains Photostats of photographs taken by Fairchild Aerial Survey, Inc. It is located in the History and Genealogy Reading Room map cases.
Other Aerial Photo Survey Materials Online
Indexes to and photographs of historic aerial
surveys are also available at the University of Connecticut (UCONN)
Not all surveys are complete, so if your area is not represented, please feel free to visit the State Library, in person, to examine the indexes and photographs available here. Before you visit, make sure to read the rules for using archival records for retrieval times and rules concerning the handling of archival materials, including aerial photographs.
Links to Other Agencies and Institutions
Aerial Photography Field Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection. Environmental and Geographic Information Center
(EGIC). Among other things, look at the link to “Geographic Information
Systems” to find GIS data to download.
Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection Store. Sells books, maps and publications of the State Geological
and Natural History Survey.
Department of Transportation. Provides online access to Connecticut
town, traffic analysis, daily traffic and bicycle trail maps.
Looking for an Old Aerial Photograph, FS 127-96 (May 1997), U.S.
Geological Survey. Fact Sheet 127-96 (May 1996)
University of Connecticut Center for
Land Use Education and Research ("CLEAR"). Connecticut Digital
Orthophotography
University of Connecticut Map And Geographic Information Center ("MAGIC")
Note: A number of the links featured on this site open up Adobe PDF files. These links, marked with the symbol shown here - - require the
use of Adobe
Acrobat Reader. To get your free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, use this hyperlink
to the Adobe Reader download page.Prepared by the History and Genealogy Unit, Connecticut State Library, 1993. Revised 07-04, 10-06, 03/17/2008, 08/11/2011.