PlaceLayers › Glossary
Glossary of Sanborn fire insurance map terms
Every abbreviation on these maps is there because it changed the fire risk. That is why the same shorthand tells a property researcher what a building was used for a century later.
- Filling station / gasolineFILLING STA., GASOLINE, GAS.
- Auto repair / garageAUTO REPG., AUTOS, GARAGE
- Dry cleaning / dyeingDRY CL'G, DRY CLEANING, CLEANERS
- Coal gas works / gas holdersGAS WKS., GAS HOLDER, COAL GAS
- Foundry / iron works / metal platingFDRY., FOUNDRY, IRON WKS.
- Blacksmith / wagon worksBL. SM., BLKSM., SMITH SHOP
- Paint, varnish, oil and chemical storagePAINTS, VARNISH, OIL
- LaundryLAUNDRY, STEAM LAUNDRY, WASH HO.
- Printing / lithographyPRINTING, PRESS RM., LITHO.
- Planing mill / lumber / saw millPLANING MILL, LUMBER, SAW MILL
- TanneryTANNERY, HIDES, CURRYING
- Ice plant / cold storageICE, ICE MFG., COLD STORAGE
- Coal yard / fuel oilCOAL, COAL YARD, COAL POCKETS
- Railroad yard / roundhouseR.R., ROUND HO., ENGINE HO.
Construction colours
- Yellow — Wood frame construction
- Pink / red — Brick construction
- Blue — Stone, concrete or hollow tile
- Grey — Iron or other metal
- Brown — Adobe (rare in Baltimore)