Here's a site that sells Sanborn Fire Insurance Co. maps fairly cheaply. These maps were made long ago to inventory RR properties and are quite detailed. Useful if you're restoring a historic site and want information on what's missing. Also good for building model dioramas depicting what used to be there.

http://www.utahice.com/sanborn.htm#paypal
ryarger@rypn.org

Some time ago there was a message on this board about a site where you could view the maps online. I tried it a couple times and then went on to other matters. The url I saved now is a pay site. Did I save the one I wanted (Sanborn.umi.com) or did I mess up? Anyone remember the url? Thks.

retsquid@tvec.net

Agreed.

Researching Sanborn maps enabled me to determine the original construction date of the former Lenzen Roundhouse in San Jose (which had been publicized as anywhere from 1887 to 1905). Fortunately, our local history museum and main library have complete original Sanborn sets dating back to 1880. Early Sanborn maps were maintained by hand using pen and pencil. Some map revisions consisted of cut and paste over earlier maps. Photo copies and/or microfilm could miss this detail.

Using these documents, I was able to narrow the roundhouse's construction date from 1897 to 1900. Subsequently, a June 11, 1899 newspaper article was discoverd that discussed Southern Pacific's construction of a "modern engine facility" complete with an illustration.

> Here's a site that sells Sanborn Fire
> Insurance Co. maps

I intend to buy some - however, some university libraries do have digital Sanborn maps available free online to students and faculty.

tr2manz@hotmail.com

Re: the site that had Sanborns free on-line. This was only up briefly. I think it was a pay site, that someone let his usercode and password get out. It was eventually discovered and was no longer available.

http://www.utahice.com/sanborn.htm#paypal
ryarger@rypn.org