Digitizing Sanborn Maps in Athens
Sanborn maps are one of the primary sources of information for urban historians about residential and commercial historical landscapes. Originally created for the purposes of fire insurance, these maps provide details information on property use, parcel boundaries, street layouts, and other information from the late 1800s through the first quarter of the 1900s.
Starting in February 2025, the CML is working to georeference and digitize Sanborn maps of Athens held at the Library of Congress. We are doing so using the website OldInsuranceMaps.net.
Starting in February 2025, the CML is working to georeference and digitize Sanborn maps of Athens held at the Library of Congress. We are doing so using the website OldInsuranceMaps.net.
This website has tutorials to explain how it can be used: here's a link to one of them.
Once these images are georeferenced, OpenHistoricalMap can be used as a platform for digitizing features shown on the maps. Here are instructions for that.
Once these images are georeferenced, OpenHistoricalMap can be used as a platform for digitizing features shown on the maps. Here are instructions for that.