New York State Department of Transportation Aerial Photographs and Index to Aerial Photographs of State Highways 10700

New York State Department of Transportation Aerial Photographs and Index to Aerial Photographs of State Highways

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This series consists of aerial photograph negatives and prints and corresponding photographic indexes depicting the state's roads and highway system. The aerial photography which forms the basis for the index was contracted by the Department of Public Works and its successor, the Department of Transportation, to document the statewide infrastructure for planning and construction purposes. A relatively small number of images depict state institutions, such as state university campuses, and other geographic features.

Creator:

New York (State). Public Employment Relations Board. Office of Public Employment Practices and Representation

Title:

Aerial photographs and index to aerial photographs of state highways

Quantity:

457.6 cubic feet

approximately 800 map sheets; approximately 30000 aerial photograph negatives; approximately 15900 aerial photographs

Inclusive Dates:

1949-1974, 1977-1987, 1993

Series Number:

10700

Arrangement

10700-94, 10700-06A: Arranged by contract number.

10700-00: Numerical by project identification number or by contract number.

10700-00A: Very partially arranged by either contract number or print identification number.

10700-13: Chronological.

10700-19: Geographical by county.

Scope and Content Note

10700-94: The series consists of approximately 800 sheets of photogrammetric images, aligned consecutively by strips, that together form a comprehensive photographic index to aerial photographs of the state's roads and highway system. The aerial photography which forms the basis for the index was contracted by the Dept. of Public Works from the period of 1955 through 1966 to document the statewide infrastructure for planning and construction purposes.

The index refers to negatives stored in film canisters (or "cans"). Each image represented on the index carries a two-part number which is a combination of the film "strip" number and the number of a specific photographic image oriented (consecutively) on the strip. Sequences of photographs showing sections of various roads or highways are mounted on sheets. The number of strips and overall size of the photographic sections vary, but sheet size is typically 54 x 76 cm (approximately 21 x 30 inches) or smaller.

The scale of photography (of aerial negatives) is usually 1 inch = 1,000 feet. The scale of the index is 1 inch = 2,640 feet.

A legend box along the bottom edge of each index sheet shows: title, often including reference to geographic area coverage; name of highway/road depicted and part designation by geographic area (usually city or municipal unit); sheet number (if multiple of a set); dates flown (of aerial photography); scale of original photography and of the photo index; and name of contracting photogrammetric engineering firm.

Information on the type of camera, lens, magazine, focal length, and exposure used or omitted from the index is sometimes given. An alphanumeric contract code is written in red at the lower right corner of each sheet. This contract code is used to find the "can" number location of negatives of the images shown on the index sheets.

A computer generated list (and two disk copies of the dBase file) of information is available. Much of the information on the list refers to obsolete locations of the original negatives, but title and canister information is useful in pinpointing geographic locations or specific roads or highways.

10700-00:This accretion consists of approximately 30,000 aerial photograph negatives created by private contractors for the Department of Public Works and its successor, the Department of Transportation for the purpose of planning highways. A relatively small number of negatives depict state institutions, such as state university campuses. A very small number of color negatives are included.

Negatives are contained on 267 reels, each measuring approximately nine and one-half inches wide. Length of film and numbers of exposures per roll vary. Each exposure measures nine by nine inches. Each film canister is labeled with a contract number or project identification number. Other label information may include name of project, general geographic location, date of photography, scale of photography, exposure numbers, and type of camera and lens used

Although this accretion is indexed by 10700-94, the transfer list that serves as the container listing provides minimal information, making identification of the canisters problematic.

10700-00A: This accretion consists of approximately 15,000 aerial photographs created for the Department of Public Works for the purpose of highway planning in Region 5 (Buffalo area). Photographs consist of positive transparencies on polyester measuring approximately 40 x 48 inches. Each image is labeled with a multi-digit code number related to combinations of job number, region, location, stage of job, and funding. Some photos were created for proposed highways that were never built.

Also included in this accretion is an index of approximately 600 partially-bound reference sheets, consisting of black and white photo prints on paper measuring 20 by 24 inches. Information provided on the index sheets includes date of photography, flight height, camera and focal length of lens, approximate index scale, name of highway or project, section number, contract or project identification number, geographic location, county, and photographic contractor. Some features on the images (such as rivers, railroads, and highways) are labeled.

10700-06: This accretion consists of two aerial photographs depicting the Buffalo/Tonawanda area apparently taken in 1958 and 1959. Photographs measure 14x14 inches. The contract numbers on the photographs correspond to no known contract or index entry.

10700-06A: This accretion consists of approximately 900 black and white and color aerial photographs of state highways in Erie, Livingston, and Niagara counties between 1956 and 1970. These 9 x 9 inch photographs were taken during the construction of the New York State Thruway and other highways to ensure the connection of arterials. The contract numbers on the photographs correspond to no known contract or index entry.

Related Material

20978 Orthographic aerial photographs, contains related photographs

B1598 Aerial photographic prints and negatives of New York State sites, contains related photographs.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

10700-00: Indexed by accretion 10700-94.

10700-00A: Indexed by series B1860, Index to aerial photographs of state highways,1950-1966 which consists of approximately 600 partially-bound reference sheets.

10700-94: Very rough folder list is available at the repository.

10700-06A, 10700-13, 10700-17: Container list is available at the repository.

10700-19: Item list and transfer list are available at the repository.