Collection: Essex - old Ordnance Survey maps at 1:10560 scale (6 inches to the mile)

The old County Series 1:10560 scale Ordnance Survey maps of Essex were produced between the 1880s and 1950s. These maps are also known as the "six-inch to one mile" maps, meaning that six inches on the map represents one mile on the ground. They were used for a variety of purposes, including planning, land surveying, and property valuation.

The maps are highly detailed, showing individual buildings, roads, railways, footpaths, boundaries, and features such as rivers, woods, and hills. They also include information on land use, such as agricultural land, woodland, and urban areas. The maps are printed in black and white, later maps had contour lines in red or blue.

The maps are typically divided into sheets, with each sheet covering a specific area of the county. The sheets are numbered and can be assembled into a larger map of the county. Each sheet includes a key to the symbols used on the map, as well as a scale bar to help users estimate distances.

One of the advantages of these maps is that they provide a snapshot of the county at a particular point in time, showing how the landscape and built environment have changed over time. They are also useful for genealogical research, as they can help trace the history of individual properties and landholdings.

Today, these maps are useful to researchers, historians, and members of the public interested in the history of Essex.