National Survey Company (1912 - 2000)

The National Survey Company (1912 - 2000) was a map publishing firm based in Chester, Vermont, founded by Lawton V. and Henry F. Crocker in 1912. The Crockers began their careers in the map trade as part-time summer traveling salesmen for The Bullard Company of Boston. However, their relationship with Bullard fell apart in 1912, which forced the brothers to found their own company. They created and published their own maps, with a series of detailed road maps leading to early success. They published maps in varying formats, from pocket maps to wall maps to road atlases. However, the free promotional oil company maps published in the 1920s by firms like Rand McNally almost forced National Survey out of the market. At this point they moved to Chester, Vermont, narrowly avoided bankruptcy, and refocused. They began creating their own promotional maps and travel publications, mainly for hotel and motel chains in New England. During World War II, they completely changed tactics again, and exclusively focused on war production. They published topographic maps for the Army Map Service and nautical charts for the Navy's Hydrographic Office. Work for the Army and Navy continued after the war, even with a renewed focus on tourist maps and guides. In 2000, National Survey was bought by Universal Map, who chose to continue operating out of Chester, Vermont.