For this project, I georeferenced a 1908 Sanborn map of New Orleans, Louisiana. In particular, I focused on the intersection of St. Philip and Chartres. While studying in the Sanborn map, I recorded what the function of each structure was (what was the type of building), the address, and the number of levels in each building. I decided to map building types to visualize land use in 1908 New Orleans.
In the map, a distinct color symbolizes each building type. However, some “types” are more general than others. For example, the building type “store” encompasses both buildings marked “S.” (in the Sanborn legend, “S” denotes store) and specifically labeled stores, such as the Chin’e Laundry and Whole Liquor’s. The building type “manufacturing” is even more general; it includes a basket factory and two macaroni factories. In contrast, the building type “office” denotes structures with this specific label. I intended the map to display land use, and thus it did not need to display the exact types of manufacturing and stores.
Although the Sanborn maps were created for use by fire insurance officials, other analyses are possible. Charles and Frank Duryea invented the first car (horseless buggy) in 1893, and the Ford Motel T began production in 1908. State Motor Vehicle Registrations recorded a total 198,400 motor vehicles in the United States in 1908. In the same year, the New Orleans Sanborn map depicts numerous stables along Chartres and St. Philip, which likely provides evidence for the continued use of horses and carriages. Although motor vehicles were scarce in the United States in the first decade of the 20th century, there were likely present somewhere in New Orleans. It is not shown on this map, but if one were to continue going northeast on Chartres, there is a tenement building on the street. With a tenement building in the area, it is possible that there were lower-income citizens living on Chartres. If one were to pull city and state tax records, one could verify the income of the individuals living on St. Philip and Chartres, as well as the financial status of the businesses. It would also be interesting to pull Louisiana’s motor vehicle registration records from 1908 and find the addresses of motor vehicle owners. By referencing income data with vehicle registration records, one might develop a more in-depth analysis of the financial status of Louisianans living on St. Philip and Chartres. If one was doing a wider analysis, if might be interesting to map development in this intersection across several decades. This analysis might provide insight into the economic development of this area of New Orleans, and, possibly, more information about the diffusion of motor vehicles over time.