(hint: click the arrows on either side of the image above)

In the late 1800’s the D.A. Sanborn National Insurance Diagram Bureau worked up a slew of maps for the fire insurance industry.

The middle picture is in the area of Kansas City now known as the River Market. River Market is a hip neighborhood on the North side of the downtown loop. You’ll find everything from lofts, a farmers market, flea markets, thai food and coffee roasters in the River Market.

The last picture is near 75th & Wornall, which is a short walk from my house. If you look closely you’ll see that Wornall turned in to Broadway and that a street car line once joined it. This must be what we now know as the Trolley Trail. Would love to have that public transport back.

Beautiful maps. Incredible detail.

Thanks to badbananablog for the heads up on these. View the entire archive here.