2024.005
Sanborn Map Company, Insurance Maps of Lawrence, Massachusetts
Donation: The Sanborn Insurance Maps of Lawrence, gifted by the Killourie Family, is a large (23-in x 25-in) bound atlas with 64 full color map plate pages. This volume is heavy, so handle it with care. The condition is generally good, albeit aging a bit with slight damage caused by a small puncture hole through the back cover that penetrates about half the pages.
This gift was presented to LHC in memory of Martin J. Killourie by his son Martin Jr. and granddaughter Kathy Hyatt.
Martine J. Killourie was born in Lawrence in 1904 and was a lifelong resident of the city. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1922 and went on to work in the Lawrence City Engineer’s office as a Senior Engineering Aide from 1942 until his sudden death in January 1970.
Mr. Killourie’s work in the City Engineer’s office would involve his intimate knowledge of maps and engineering documents related to the infrastructure of Lawrence. He would serve in his role during a time of major changes in Lawrence, including the major Urban Renewal projects of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Mr. Killourie acquired the Sanborn Map book as surplus property because of his interest in maps and surveying information about Lawrence.
Background: The Sanborn Insurance Maps, meticulously crafted by the esteemed Sanborn Map Company, stand as not just cartographic artifacts but portals into the dynamic evolution of cities. Established in the late 19th century, the Sanborn Map Company played a pivotal role during a transformative period in American urbanization.
Founded by D.A. Sanborn, the company initially created these maps for assessing fire insurance risks. The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a time of rapid industrialization and urban expansion in the United States. As cities grew, so did the need for accurate and detailed maps to assess the potential fire hazards posed by various structures.
Information Provided: These detailed maps offer a comprehensive snapshot of Lawrence's urban fabric, capturing street layouts, building footprints, and infrastructure with meticulous precision. The wealth of information extends beyond the physical structures, providing insights into the ebb and flow of city life and the interplay between residential and industrial zones.
Example of Detailed Information – 1911-1942 Snapshot: The recently acquired Sanborn Map book, dated 1911 with updates through 1942, unveils a captivating panorama of Lawrence's history. Within its pages, one discovers not just the architectural landscape but a narrative of neighborhood dwellings, commercial buildings, and the grand mill complexes. Each map serves as a time capsule, vividly portraying the structural and functional dynamics of Lawrence during a pivotal era.
So many interesting details are shown throughout the pages. Of note are the large mill complexes such as: Arlington Mills, Ayer Mill, Wood Mill, Champion International, to name a few. So much can be gleaned from these illustrations, function of each building, underground infrastructure, even the number of night and weekend watchmen on duty!
Exploring the buildings along Essex St. or Theater Row provides so much detail about structures that no longer exist.
One will see just how extensive the railroad network was in Lawrence. At that time in history Lawrence was a major railroad hub of New England.