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SANBORN INSURANCE MAPS
Founded in 1867, the Sanborn Map Company has issued and periodically updated detailed plans of some 12,000 American towns and cities. Originally designed for risk assessment, Sanborn maps contain detailed information about urban structures, including shape, size, construction materials, occupancy, function, location of lot lines, and land use. As such, the Sanborn collection may be the most important record for in-depth study of urban growth and development in the United States.
There are three microfilm sets of Sanborn Insurance Maps. In general, each set covers a different interval of time. However, there is considerable overlap due to corrections and updates from one town or city to another.
- Oregon Historical Society, (1879-1955)
- Chadwyck & Healey, (1871-1950)
- University Publications of America, (1912-1978)
Sanborn maps for Oregon and Washington are kept in the locked cabinet on the 2nd floor. Inquire at the reference desk. Search Vikat for the location and call numbers of other microfilm sets.
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