MapServer Help: USGS Topographic Map Symbols

Buildings and Related Features

Aside from roads, buildings are the most common manmade features shown on maps. As it is impractical to accurately depict every structure in a given area, buildings are shown in various ways. Some structures are omitted; some are shown larger than actual size. In heavily developed areas, only landmark buildings are denoted. For purposes of representation on published maps, buildings are divided into two categories, Class 1 and Class 2, depending on their intended use.

Class 1 buildings are intended to house human activities. Included in this grouping are schools, churches, residences, shops, hotels etc. They are depicted by a solid or crosshatch symbol. Class 2 buildings are not intended primarily for housing human activities, and include structures such as greenhouses, barns, storage garages and sheds. These are represented on a map by an open outline, or single-hatch symbol.

Building
Building.
School; Church
School; Church.
Built-up area
Built-up area.
Racetrack
Racetrack.
Airport
Airport.
Landing strip
Landing strip.
Well (other than water); Windmill
Well (other than water); Windmill.
Tanks
Tanks.
Covered reservoir
Covered reservoir.
Gaging station
Gaging station.
Landmark object (feature as described)
Landmark object (feature as labeled).
Campground; Picnic area
Campground; Picnic area.
Cemetery: small; large
Cemetery: small; large.