When did Sanborn maps stop?

By 1960 it was evident that the fire insurance industry was undergoing major changes and the detailed maps and services offered by Sanborn were no longer required.

What was the purpose of Sanborn maps?

Sanborn maps are detailed maps of U.S. cities and towns in the 19th and 20th centuries. Originally published by The Sanborn Map Company (Sanborn), the maps were created to allow fire insurance companies to assess their total liability in urbanized areas of the United States.

Are Sanborn maps accurate?

These maps always have been accepted as the most accurate and detailed building and construction record extant. They are of inestimable worth, not alone to the Fire Insurance Industry, but also to Private Research, Governmental and Municipal Agencies and Public Utilities.

Where can I find Sanborn maps?

Los Angeles Public Library makes Sanborn Atlases for the state of California available on-line using the archives of the Library of Congress. The online resource does not have as much coverage as the microfilm reels available in the History department of Central Library.

Who made Sanborn maps?

Daniel A. Sanborn
Sanborn maps are crowded with detail and color. So is their history. Daniel A. Sanborn created these maps for one, very specific (and kind of dry) reason: to provide insurers a catalogue of city structures that could be fire risks.

How do I read old Sanborn maps?

There is a Sanborn Symbols Key on the first page (title page) of every Sanborn Volume. The key to symbols shows the colors and symbols used on the maps in volume. A lot of the symbols are common to most of the editions, but you still want to look at the key to your volume for any differences unique to your volume.

Are Sanborn maps still used?

Founded in 1867 by D. A. Sanborn, the Sanborn Map Company first gained recognition for creating richly detailed fire insurance maps – maps that are so full of valuable information that they are still widely used today.

What does pink mean on a Sanborn map?

Pink indicated the building was constructed from brick. If the building was constructed of brick tile, (TILE) was written inside the building somewhere. Yellow indicated the building was constructed of wood framing. Grey indicated the building was constructed of iron.

Are Sanborn maps public domain?

Sanborn Maps Items published in the United States prior to January 1, 1927 are in the public domain. Therefore, all Sanborn maps produced before 1927 are in the public domain and can be downloaded and used without any permissions needed.

How often were Sanborn maps created?

every five years
prepared new maps as often as every five years, making them one of our best sources for showing change over time at specific sites. Sanborn maps tell the careful observer everything from which way the prevailing wind blows to the location of historical waste pits.

What does sh mean on old maps?

Summer House
Ordnance Survey Abbreviations

S Scar, Sewer, Side of, Slope, Sluice, Stone, Stream
SH Summer House
Sh Fd Sheep Fold
Sk Sketched
Sks Sinks

What does D stand for on Sanborn maps?

dwelling
S = store, D = dwelling, and ASB. CL. = asbestos clapboards. Example 3. Other colors employed by Sanborn mapmakers included an olive green to demark fire resistive construction and gray for adobe construction material.

What does C stand for on a map?

Ordnance Survey Abbreviations

(C) Close (Boulders)
Cis Cistern
CL Close
CL Close [density]
Cl Close [place]

Are old maps copyrighted?

In placing maps in the Archives, the following general guidelines have been used: 1.) ALL items with an ORIGINAL publishing or copyright date prior to 1923 are public domain. Anyone, including the United States Digital Map Library, may use them and distribute them freely.

Are old maps public domain?

Using the maps: The data used to create the maps comes from the Census Bureau, an agency of the US government, and is in the public domain. Therefore any maps you download from this site are in the public domain and you’re free to use them as you choose.

What does P mean on an old map?

Pole. P. Post. P. Post Office (small scales)

What does RH mean on old maps?

Road House
Ordnance Survey Abbreviations

R Race, Railway, Ride, River, Road, Root of
RH Road House
RH Root of Hedge
RL Roof Line
Rly Railway

What does P mean on old maps?

P. Passage, Path, Plate, Pond, Post.

Where can I get old maps for free?

The 3 Best Places To Find Free Historical Maps Online

  • Old Maps Online. A new site, Old Maps Online aims to be the definitive source of free map information on the Internet.
  • Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection.
  • Flickr.

Is it legal to copy a map?

Yes, neither a business nor an individual may reproduce copyrighted maps, in any quantity, without permission of the copyright owner. Even a single copy may be considered a copyright violation when the intended use is commercial, whether for profit or not.