How far is it?

The first question when planning a trip is followed by "how long will it take to get there"? The road maps distributed at Welcome Stations can help answer the first question but the second question is usually a guess. Travel time variables are like the weather- changing!

Once you get to your destination, the local Chamber usually has a local map that helps you figure out how to get around the community.

Comparing road maps can be a fun activity before a trip. Noting the new roads, being reminded of back roads that just might be quicker because they are less congested.

How can you get older local maps to be able to compare the changes in the area?

In GALILEO the Sanborn® Fire Insurance Maps for Georgia Towns and Cities, 1884-1922 consists of 4,445 maps by the Sanborn Map Company depicting commercial, industrial, and residential areas for 133 municipalities. There are maps for small towns that you might not find a map for today!

Go to the Sanborn maps, type in the city you're interested in and look at the number of maps that are retrieved. Searching for Americus retrieved 70 hits. The first four referred to Albany but then you see Americus from 1885.

Comparing maps is a lesson in urban growth.

You can get the password for home use of GALILEO from your Georgia librarian!