๐งญ Discover Iowaโs Forgotten Past Through Vintage Sanborn Fire Maps
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Did you know that nearly every small town in Iowa was once mapped in stunning detail over 100 years ago? These werenโt ordinary maps โ they were Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, created between the 1880s and 1930s to help insurance companies assess fire risk. Today, theyโre an incredible time capsule of Iowaโs history, and you can now own a reprint of your townโs original layout.
At Hometown History Maps, we specialize in high-quality reprints of Sanborn fire maps from Iowa towns & more โ from Dubuque to Sioux City, Des Moines to Decorah, and dozens more. These maps are perfect for:
- Home or office decor
- Gifts for history lovers and genealogists
- Local history buffs
- Business openings, anniversaries, or housewarmings
๐๏ธ What Are Sanborn Maps?
Sanborn maps were hand-drawn maps commissioned by the Sanborn Map Company starting in the late 1800s.
They show:
- Street layouts
- Homes and businesses
- Railroads and factories
- Building construction details (brick vs. wood)
- Churches, schools, and hotels
Theyโre a window into what your Iowa town looked like 100+ years ago. Imagine seeing your street before cars, before highways โ when your townโs main street had blacksmiths, opera houses, and steam laundries.
๐ Why Iowa Maps Matter
Iowa has some of the richest small-town history in the country. Our reprints help preserve the heritage of places like:
- Dyersville, Oelwein & Decorah
- Cherokee, Estherville & Spirit Lake
- Red Oak, Clarinda, & Creston
- West Liberty, Tipton & Mount Pleasant
- Osceola, Pella & Vinton
- And THOUSANDS more!
Whether youโre into Iowa genealogy, local decor, or just love a piece of hometown pride โ these vintage map reprints are a rare and beautiful way to connect with the past.
๐ Find Your Townโs Map
We currently offer Sanborn map reprints for over 1000 Iowa towns, with more being added weekly. All maps are:
- Printed on high-quality paper
- Offered with free shipping to the continental U.S.
- Available in a ready to frame size
๐ Browse our full Iowa map collection here:
https://hometownhistorymaps.com/collections/iowa-map-collection
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๐ Bonus: Town Anniversaries & Map Spotlights
In future posts, weโll feature:
- Towns with upcoming birthdays or founding anniversaries
- Interesting or special history about certain counties & towns
- Gift Ideas and Unique ways to give hometown history to loved ones
So whether you're from Oelwein or Ottumwa, Fort Dodge or Fairfield, keep an eye out for your townโs spotlight!
๐งก Thanks for Visiting Hometown History Maps
Weโre a small Iowa-based business passionate about bringing forgotten history back to life.
Follow our blog or sign up for email updates โ and start exploring Iowa one map at a time.