DALTX Real EstateDALTX Real EstateDALTX Real Estate
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
Reading: Sanborn Maps And Why They Are Important to Historic Preservation
Share
Font ResizerAa
DALTX Real EstateDALTX Real Estate
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
Follow US
© DALTX. All Rights Reserved.
DALTX Real Estate > Historic research > Sanborn Maps And Why They Are Important to Historic Preservation
Historic research

Sanborn Maps And Why They Are Important to Historic Preservation

5 Min Read
SHARE
Contents
What is a Sanborn map, and why is it important?Sanborn Keys & ColorsColor
Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.03.12-PM-1024x539

You probably need some solitude and a break from family and festivities right now. Go grab a hot toddy and head to a quiet space with your computer — I’ll wait!

Ready? Today I’m giving you more insight into finding details about your historic house with Sanborn Maps.

Hopefully, you read my post last week, delved into the Dallas Public Library’s archives, and found some interesting tidbits about your house. Now you’re jonesing to know more, right? Once you go down the research rabbit hole, it’s hard to stop.  

Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.00.10-PM-1-868x1024
Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.00.10-PM-1-868x1024

What is a Sanborn map, and why is it important?

The Sanborn Map Collection is the most accurate and detailed building record in existence. In 1867 The Sanborn Map Company began mapping twelve thousand cities and towns across the United States, Canada, and Mexico to assess their fire risk. Each map offers block-by-block details of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings that include the street address, size, shape, construction materials, and the number of stories.

The other cool thing about these maps is they were regularly updated until 1950 when the last catalog was published. If an owner added a porch or a second floor at some point, the exact date and what materials were used are available on a Sanborn map!

Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.00.10-PM-1-868x1024
Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.00.10-PM-1-868x1024
Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.00.10-PM-1-868x1024

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty agent Elizabeth Mast uses them regularly when advising clients who are purchasing historic homes.

“Sanborn maps define the exact location of your house and auxiliary buildings like garages or back houses,” she said. “This information is essential in getting a Certificate of Appropriateness for work you may want to do on your home.” 

Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.00.10-PM-1-868x1024
Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.00.10-PM-1-868x1024

There is a key on the first page of every Sanborn volume so you can figure out what the colors and abbreviations mean. The Library of Congress explains it best:

Sanborn Keys & Colors

Fire insurance maps are distinctive because of the sophisticated set of symbols that allows complex information to be conveyed clearly. In working with insurance maps, it is important to remember that they were made for a very specific use and that although they are now valuable for a variety of purposes, the insurance industry dictated the selection of information to be mapped and the way that information was portrayed. Knowledge of the keys and colors is essential to proper interpretation of the information found in fire insurance maps.

Color

Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.03.12-PM-1024x539

Color plays an important role in Sanborn map reading. In Example 1, we see that brick and tile are represented with a reddish/pink color. Several advantages demonstrate themselves when using color: a) the mapmaker can easily and quickly convey information; b) space formerly used to convey this information can now be used to convey more detailed information; and c) uniformity across all the maps is achieved and maintained.

Screenshot-2022-12-21-at-1.03.12-PM-1024x539

The use of yellow indicates frame, or wood, structures. Example 2 shows the use of framing on the inside as well as outside of buildings. Along with the color indicators, the map uses basic abbreviations to convey other information. S = store, D = dwelling, and ASB. CL. = asbestos clapboards.

Library of Congress

You can see how this would benefit any owner of a historic property who is concerned with restoration. I have a bay window on my 1927 home that I know is not original. One of my holiday missions is to find out what kind of window was originally in place. Sanborn maps are the best resource to find out that detail.  

You can access these maps online with your Dallas Library card, through the University of Texas Portal to Texas History, or at The Library of Congress. 

Happy hunting!

Statement From Texas A&M University on Why They are Elbowing Out the Elbow Room
A Rare Historic River Crest Italian Renaissance Villa
Preservation Alert: George Dahl-Designed Church in Oak Cliff in Danger of Being Demolished
Couple Uncovers Motherlode of History in Park Cities Tudor
Eat, Drink, And Enjoy The History of North Texas’ Finest Establishments at The Legacies Conference
TAGGED:Dallas Public LibraryElizabeth MastHistoric PreservationLibrary of CongressPortal to Texas HistorySanborn Maps
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Check Out This Holiday Trio of Open Ho-Ho-Houses in The Suburbs
Next Article This Expert Renovation Exudes Modern Design
Popular News
DFW Real Estate News

Modern Lake Grapevine Property is Primary Residence + Lake House All in One

Dallas ISD’s SPF Has Many Applications
Podcast: See the Amazing Before and After Photos of This Junius Heights Home’s Renovation
Don’t Wait! Escape to Horseshoe Bay This July Fourth
Atomic-Era Styling Looks Marvelous in This Meadow Park Midcentury Modern
about us

DaltxRealEstate.com is the largest real estate blog and the only one in North Texas.

Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Contact Us
  • Paid Guest Post Submission

Categories

  • Wednesday WTF
  • East Dallas
  • Monday Morning Millionaire
  • Upon Closer Inspection

Get Involved

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write for Us: Submit Guest Post

Find Us on Socials

© DALTX. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?