About the Map Collection
		Buffalo/WNY Maps
		Aerial Photographs of WNY
		Buffalo in Maps
		Buffalo Topographic Maps
		Buffalo Neighborhoods Map
		Olmsted Parks
		Sanborn Maps
		UB in Maps & Photos
		WNY Maps
		Buffalo Zoning Map
		Map Resources
		Finding Maps
		FAQs
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Buffalo, New York
in Maps, Charts, and Images

In the UB Map Collection Maps of Buffalo Buffalo Government Sites Local and Regional Links (WNY) Additional Sources

Quick Links:

GIS

Photos

Sanborns

Topos

Ward Maps

Zoning Map

In the UB Map Collection

The UB Libraries Map Collection has maps, charts, and aerial and satellite photos, and online maps of Buffalo and Western New York. These maps are in a variety of scales and describe many different aspects of the city and the region.

Maps of Buffalo are located either under a Library of Congress call number, or under the U.S. Government, Superintendent of Documents (SuDocs) numbering system. All of these maps may be located using the BISON the UB Libraries Catalog, and then retrieving the desired map from the map drawer (SEL Room 316 map shows general locations).

Search Tip: When searching BISON you may find listings using the following search tip: Enter a subject search, beginning with buffalo n y--maps. Example:

s = buffalo n y--maps

This will locate almost all Buffalo maps. To locate topographic maps of Buffalo, enter:

s = buffalo n y--maps topographic

Among this collection are what are referred to as historical topographic maps. These are older topographic maps (1895-1950) that are kept in the Map Collection Reference Room. Searching BISON is the same as for regular topographic maps. To see some examples of these maps, view the link below:

Historical Topographic Maps of Buffalo

If you need further assistance, please contact the UGL/SEL Reference Desk, by calling 645-2945 or via e-mail askASL@buffalo.edu.

Selected Maps of Buffalo

UB Aerial Photograph Collection. The UB Map Collection has aerial photographs and satellite imagery coverage of Erie and Niagara counties for the years 1927, 1966, and 1978. In addition, the Map Collection contains a small collection of miscellaneous satellite imagery of United States cities. Contact the UGL/SEL Reference Desk for access. There are additional links to other aerial collections of the region.

UB Topographic Maps Collection. Printed and digital maps are available:

• Topographic Maps (Printed). See the index maps and other tools to locate.
• Topographic Maps (Digital Rasterized Graphic) image files for download (for use in ArcView, MapInfo, Photoshop). Also available here are low-res images of each quad.
• Digital Topographic Maps of the U.S. available on the Map Room PC (see: Topo USA).
• See also Historical Topographic Maps of Buffalo (1895-1950).

Geographical Information System (GIS) Maps of Buffalo

• Buffalo GIS. Find Buffalo data. Part of a county consortium promoting GIS use.
• Buffalo Historical GIS (BSC History site: Buffalo State History and Social Studies Depts.). GIS interface providing city data (with ability to superimpose modern street references).

• Buffalo in 1850
• Buffalo in 1900
• Pan-American Exposition 1901
• Buffalo Ward Boundaries See also Buffalo Wards Map below.

• See also Erie County GIS (with local town GIS).
• Buffalo, New York GIS map using TIGER/Line® data and 1990 Decennial Census data. Interactive map (zoom in/out, recenter, enter custom features such as streets, parks, etc.).

Maps Online

• Original Land Subdivisions in Buffalo, 1802
• Burned Buffalo Map, 1813
• [Pavement] Map of the City of Buffalo, New York (1901 revised from 1895). Shows streets by pavement type, along with other details. Only a portion of the map appears at this time--the map is in the UB Collection.
• Map of Buffalo, c.1902 (Library of Congress). Very impressive bird's eye type map but the detail is incredible. Zoom in to individual blocks (example).
• Buffalo in 1849.
• 1894 City of Buffalo Atlas. Property maps of the city. Full-color digital version of the original maps with good resolution (may not work with all browsers).
• Buffalo, NY, 1896
• Buffalo Wards map. Showing the period from 1855-1890.
• Map of Buffalo, 1940
• Buffalo, New York, 1965. Low-res topographic map showing most of the city. This is the most current date for USGS topos of Bufffalo.
• Buffalo Parks System. View a map from 1914 showing the parks and parkways as designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (though there are several parts that did not follow his plans). Compare this with a current map of the Parks system.
• Buffalo/Western New York reference maps (WNY RKN: Regional Knowledge Network). Shows maps of: counties, census tract maps, school districts, political districts, other.
• Buffalo Census Tracts (RKN).
• City of Buffalo Neighborhoods Map. Visit Buffalo, the "City of good neighbors" in this virtual tour showing locations and features of each neighborhood. With links to many aspects of the city's rich cultural and natural qualities. There are also links to references and other websites.
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. The University at Buffalo Map Collection has the 1991 edition of the city of Buffalo, on microfilm. This collection provides valuable, detailed property data, showing individual lots, buildings, and dimensions. The reels can be viewed in the Capen Multimedia Center. Digital Sanborn Maps also available (UB community).
• Soil Surveys (USDA). Locate Buffalo, NY soil surveys using this online system.
• Olmsted Parks and Park Conservancy
• Zoning Map of Buffalo. 1987 map shows basic data on zoning for various uses.
• Buffalo NY Map Links page.
• Buffalo, New York History. Photographs, drawings, maps, articles; wide variety of topics.
• Buffalo Maps at BuffaloResearch.com. Links to a variety of great maps of Buffalo, along with street indexes, guides, and other items. Also has links to maps of Erie county towns and other areas. A few of the typical links are:
• See also Western New York Maps and Resources Guide
• See also Selection of Western New York Maps

Satellite and Orthophotograpic Imagery

• UB Aerial Photograph Collection. Covers: Erie & NIagara Counties.
• Erie County GIS (maps incorporate orthophoto layers for city and county).
• Empire State Roads. Ortho photo image mosaics (see entire city, or quad-matched images).
• See also Satellite Images & Map Databases. Locate, view, download, purchase satellite imagery.

City of Buffalo Official Sources

• Buffalo Map Atlas and Data Library (Official City website). Includes: Buffalo Street Map. Detailed pdf of the entire city. Based on 2000 data and current zoning maps.
• Buffalo City Government website. Includes the following:
  • Mayor's Office
  • Comptrollers Office
  • Buffalo Common Council. Has a map of the CC districts.
  • City Charter.
  • City Clerk's Office.
  • Division of Neighborhoods
  • Fire Department
  • Police Department
  • Public Schools
  • Strategic Planning Group.

• Erie County Official Sources

• New York State Thruway Authority maps. Includes detailed map and listing of WNY exits, tolls, etc.

Additional Sources on Buffalo

• Researching Buffalo History. A guide to finding books, articles, and other materials on Buffalo, New York.
• Buffalo City Directories. Guide to using directories in the UB Libraries.
• Buffalo, New York 1869 City Directory. The residential section of the 1869 Buffalo city directory. Locate persons by name and then view a facsimile of the page the name is on.
• Buffalo, N.Y. (city-data site). Basic data and statistics on the city, with photos and other links. Not comprehensive but good for quick data.

Guide Author: David J. Bertuca

Last Update: 30 September, 2009