Fire insurance maps are distinctive because of the sophisticated set of symbols that allows complex information to be conveyed clearly. In working with insurance maps, it is important to remember that they were made for a very specific use, and that although they are now valuable for a variety of purposes, the initial selection of information to be mapped and the way that information was portrayed was dictated by the needs of the insurance industry.
The prefatory material found on the first sheet of maps usually included a legend or key to symbols. Knowledge of these is essential to proper interpretation of the information found in fire insurance maps. The use of these symbols, especially on those done by the Sanborn Map Company can usually be interpreted with a considerable degree of confidence.
By 1893, Sewanee was large enough to warrant a fire insurance map of the downtown and the central quadrangle; two more Sanborn maps were constructed in 1907 and 1930. The University's copies are located in the William Laurie Archives.
Photos courtesy of University Archives