Pastmaps

Project Overview

PastMaps is a solo-bootstrapped mapping platform focused on historical cartography, featuring 185K+ georeferenced high-resolution maps covering the United States. The project allows users to explore geographic landscapes through time, integrating satellite, LiDAR, and 3D layers. Currently generating approximately $5,000 monthly, the platform is growing organically through word-of-mouth.

Key Use Cases and Community Value

Genealogists represent a primary user base, leveraging historical maps to trace ancestral locations, understand community transformations, and contextualize family histories. The platform enables users to explore how landscapes evolved through environmental changes, industrial developments, and urban expansion.

Business Model and Technical Strategy

The revenue model is bifurcated between:

• 60% Premium Subscriptions: Unlocking advanced features like LiDAR layers
• 40% Physical Map Sales: Responding to customer demand for printable historical maps

Technically, the platform is actively improving its search capabilities by integrating global geometry data from Overture Maps, addressing current limitations in location-based map retrieval.

Future Development

The creator plans global expansion in Q1 2025, currently focusing on U.S. map coverage. Upcoming improvements include diversifying map sources through collaborations with public library systems and enhancing search and exploration features.