Idaho Research

Overview

Currently, individual photos are not available digitally. These instructions are to help determine specific photo(s) to view in person or request a digital copy.

Range and Township Index to Aerial Photos of Idaho 1938-1971

The Range and Township Index to Aerial Photos of Idaho 1938-1971.pdf is an index to approximately 9000 vertical aerial photos of Idaho taken between the years 1938 and 1971. It was originally made for the United States Geological Survey and the United States Soil Conservation Service. 

KMZ Files

The General Overlay.kmz and Photo Index.kmz files indicate the locations/areas for which we have aerial photos. It is a map only: it does not include the actual photos. Both can be opened in Google Earth at the same time. 

The Individual Indexes folder has .kmz files for specific indexes if the name is known.

Download .kmz files here.

Using KMZ files in Google Earth

Install/open Google Earth, then open the downloaded .kmz file.

• The General Overlay file indicates the location of groups of aerial photos in MSS 326. Contact Special Collections and Archives to view these groups of aerial photos in-person.
• The Photo Index file provides precise pins indicating the exact photo number and location of specific photos. After identifying the lettered prefix (BUJ, GS-VCTV, etc.) as well as the specific pin number, contact Special Collections and Archives to inquire about obtaining high resolution copies of those photos.

To more easily see the exact pinpoints of aerial photos in Google Earth, uncheck "General Overlay" in Places, and make sure "Photo Index" is checked. There should be hundreds of markers throughout Idaho. Filter by regions by expanding the Photo Index (click the triangle next to the title).

Aerial Photo Collection

Approximately 9,000 vertical aerial photos of Idaho taken between 1938 and 1983. Originally made for the United States Geological Survey and the United States Soil Conservation Service.

Full collection description and inventory

Valley Air

Valley Air was a company that took aerial photographs of farmlands, primarily in Ada County, Boise Valley, Canyon County, Fremont County, and Gem County. The collection contains large format negatives on film reels.

Full collection description and inventory

Bureau of Reclamation Aerial Photos

Aerial photos of dams and surrounding areas from the 1950s-1990s in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana.

Inventory available upon request.