README.md

Sanborn maps directory for Chicago

Color Sanborn maps downloaded from the Library of Congress for your convenience.

Map volumes included

• Sanborn Map Company, Vol. 10, 1921 - This covers an area between North and Belmont, and Crawford (now Pulaski) and Western Ave. It has 122 sheets, including the cover sheet (which is a map index) and a street index.

How to find a location's volume

Sanborn maps are organized into "volumes" which are a group of maps covering a rectangular area of a city. Since I haven't created a digital map index that points to each location's volume, you'll need to find another way to locate a volume.

Use one of the below methods to locate a volume and, if it's not listed above, then search for it on the Library of Congress's website.

Chicago (two methods)

1. Dennis McClendon, map maker who founded Chicago Cartographics, has a graphical map index to the Library of Congress's website for each volume. This is the best method.

2. the Chicago Public Library has an index of Chicago Sanborn map volumes organized by community area. Now, the CPL has a link to black & white maps, which are helpful because the Library of Congress doesn't have color maps for all eras.

Outside Chicago

Search the Library of Congress Sanborn map collection for your city's name. Search for county name if city results come up empty.