The Sanborn Map “Special Indexes”

Ask any historian of early American history “what’s a Sanborn map?” and you’re likely to receive an earful.

The maps, which cover American cities decade-by-decade, chart the rapid change and growth of this country’s urban areas in a way matched by few other primary sources.  The digitized versions of Sanborn maps have been used by historians for years.

However, there exists a vital tool which has not been accessible in an integrated way until now: the Sanborn Special Indexes.

Many volumes of maps covering towns and cities included a “Special Index” which listed prominent businesses, houses of worship, and other institutions in the area. These Special Indexes are, essentially, a summary of the contents of a town. 

This is a remarkable resource for historical demography and social development studies. These Special Indexes are now being integrated into Paratext's Eight Centuries.  The first installment of the Sanborn Special Indexes--which includes all of California--is live now and available for searching. 

Other installments will be made periodically thereafter.   To learn more about all the exclusive content within Eight Centuries, please visit here.  begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

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