Historical Research Guide
Welcome to Heritage’s guide to performing historic property research in the City of San Francisco! While these resources were compiled with San Francisco in mind, some may also include useful information or tips about research in surrounding Bay Area cities. Please continue to check back as this section grows.
San Francisco History Center
The San Francisco History Center at the San Francisco Public Library created a detailed online guide to researching local buildings. The guide is divided into six sections based on the following essential research questions:
- How old is it? Who built it?
- Who lived in it? Who owned it?
- Are there articles written about it?
- Are there any photos of it?
- Guides and helpful hints
- Online resources
San Francisco Planning Department
The San Francisco Planning Department also provides online access to a number of resources and publications. The SF Property Information Map is an extensive public database that includes zoning information, preservation planning, and access to building permits. The department has also compiled a list of consultants and technical documents that can aid in the process of research and environmental review.
The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive was founded in 1996 in San Francisco to provide permanent access to digital collections. The website has grown since its inception to include texts, audio, moving images, and software. Among the holdings related to architectural history are:
David Rumsey Map Collection
The David Rumsey Map Collection contains more than 150,000 maps spanning the globe. Of particular interest to San Francisco Researchers is the rare six-volume 1905 San Francisco Sanborn Insurance Atlas, which depicts the city in the months leading up to the earthquake and fire of 1906. The maps are housed at the San Francisco History Center, but newly available color digital copies are available online.
Old SF
Old SF provides an alternate way of exploring the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection using geocoding, which links the images to points on a map. Approximately 13,000 photographs have been added so far.
San Francisco Heritage Archive
Heritage maintains a significant collection of materials related to San Francisco history and architecture, including some unique resources not found elsewhere. Access is available to Heritage members. For more information, please contact Bill Beutner.
The Heritage Archive includes:
- City Directories
- Edward’s Abstracts : 1906-1950s
- Building Contracts
- Building Permits
- Titles Changes
- Individual Building files
- Original surveys conducted by Heritage, including Downtown, SoMa, Chinatown, Lower Nob Hill, Tenderloin, Inner Richmond District, Van Ness Corridor, Dog Patch, Piers, Civic Center.
- Files for Landmarks, Historic Districts and neighborhoods.
- Individual Architect Files
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
- 1886, 1893, some volumes
- 1899-1900, except volumes 1 & 2
- 1913-1914
- 1913-1914, revised 1950s
- Block Books
- 1906
- 1923
- 1931
- 1980 San Francisco Real Estate Index
- Index Map of San Francisco, Eleventh Edition
- Environmental Impact Reports
- Surveys From Other Agencies
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