The Meriam Library at California State University, Chico has an extensive collection of over 600 historic topographic maps of California accessible via their web site. The collection is searchable using a variety of access points which include: historic name, township, land grants, place names, geographic features, and counties. The collection is also georeferenced and can be searched by latitude and longitude. Each map is extensively indexed and serves as a great reference for historic place names.

To familiarize yourself with the collection and the site's features, you can take a tour of the interface. The map images are viewable using the Lizard Tech ExpressView plug-in for MrSID files. The ExpressView plug-in requires Windows and either Internet Explorer 6 or above or Netscape 7 or above. Users who do not have windows can view the maps without the plug-in.

In addition to this resource for historic topographic maps, EART also maintains a large collection of digitized historic topographic maps of the Bay Area, Monterrey Bay region, and statewide 30 x 60 minute quadrangle maps which are available online.