Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

About the Collection

The Sanborn Map Company, the best known of the US fire-insurance map producers, has made maps since 1867. The fire insurance maps produced by Sanborn show building footprints, building material, height or number of stories, building use, lot lines, road widths and water facilities. The maps also show street names and property boundaries of the time. This collection of maps is historically significant as it is sometimes the best detailed map of a town or city dating from the mid 1800s.

Penn State University Maps Library has a near complete collection of Sanborn Fire Insurance maps for the state of Pennsylvania. The print collection can currently be accessed by contacting the Maps Library. The digital collection will continue to grow as we determine copyright status and as 1923 maps come out of copyright starting in 2019. 

Guide:  Sanborn and Other Fire Insurance Maps

Browse by City or Town

Don't see your town? Please check the list for additional towns or dates then contact the Maps Library Staff for assistance. List of all Sanborn maps. (Scholarsphere)