Oldinsurancemaps.net is now a Charter Project

The website OldInsuranceMaps.net, which specializes in historical Sanborn Insurance Maps, has recently been recognized as a Charter Project by OpenStreetMap US (OSM US). These maps, often massive tomes filled with cutouts of paper pasted over renamed streets and demolished buildings, provide an incredibly accurate reference for geographic data in the United States from 1867 to the 1960s.

Adam Cox initiated the project while at Louisiana State University in 2022, and today, OIM hosts over 1200 Sanborn maps, primarily sourced from the Library of Congress. The project has drawn a diverse range of users, from hobbyists exploring their hometown's history to scholars conducting large-scale research studies and professionals involved in redevelopment.

Anyone can request the addition of their city or town's Sanborn maps to the website, which are then georeferenced by volunteers using ground control points and digital stitching techniques.

OSM US is excited about the collaboration between OldInsuranceMaps.net and other Charter Projects, such as YouthMappers, Yesterdays, and OpenHistoricalMap. These platforms are known for their individual excellence in collecting and portraying historical geographic data, and their synergies are highly valued. The OSM US team encourages users to georeference some maps and explore the site at oldinsurancemaps.net.

Users can also join the #oldinsurancemaps channel on the OSM US Slack. Any project within the OpenStreetMap ecosystem is invited to apply for Charter Project status, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.