Creating a Map of Virginia

The War of 1812 highlighted the nation’s woeful state of transportation, and the states initiated internal improvement projects, such as building canals, roads, and turnpikes, to promote and connect American markets, and to improve the flow of technology and information between urban and rural areas. Virginia’s General Assembly created the Board of Public Works to oversee the construction of the Commonwealth’s internal improvements — work that required an accurate map of the state.

Surveyors from the United States, Denmark, France, and Scotland were employed to help survey and create a general map of Virginia. Scottish native John Wood became the principal surveyor to oversee the surveying and mapping of each Virginia county. When Wood died in 1822, Herman Bőÿe, originally from Denmark, became principal surveyor and completed the project.

Printed in nine sheets in 1826, Virginia’s first official state map measured 99 by 64 inches, or 44 square feet. A reduced-size map was published in 1827.

Creating Maps of Virginia’s Counties

When surveying began in 1816, there were few maps and little precise information about the topography of Virginia. Surveyors used a compass, tripod, levels and chains to determine county boundaries, chart important water features, and describe major stage and postal roads. They created their maps in the field with pencil and pen. John Wood and Herman Bőÿe reviewed the work for accuracy, as did county delegates and other people who had local knowledge of the area. These county maps were used to draft the general map, which was completed in 1825.

Surviving county maps created under the direction of John Wood and Herman Bőÿe are part of our Board of Public Works Map Collection. These and other county maps can also be found in our Cadastral Surveys and County Maps Digital Collection.