Information Sources for Urban History Linda Zellmer Government Information & Data Services Librarian Western Illinois University

Introduction  What is an urban area?  Sources of information about urban areas. State & Local information – government records,. State & Local information – government records,. Census Data. Census Data. Historic Structures Inventories. Historic Structures Inventories. Maps & map-like objects. Maps & map-like objects. Topographic Maps. Topographic Maps. Aerial Photographs. Aerial Photographs. Historic maps on the Internet. Historic maps on the Internet.  Environmental Information.

What is an Urban Area? Area with a high population density. Area with a high population density. Census Bureau Definitions (several categories). Census Bureau Definitions (several categories). Urbanized Area – densely settled area with ≥ 50,000 people. Urbanized Area – densely settled area with ≥ 50,000 people. Urban Clusters – population from 2,500 – 49,999. Urban Clusters – population from 2,500 – 49,999. Metropolitan Statistical Area – a core population area and the adjacent communities which are integrated with the core economically and socially (can cross state lines). Metropolitan Statistical Area – a core population area and the adjacent communities which are integrated with the core economically and socially (can cross state lines). Definition has changed over time. Definition has changed over time.

Census & Economic Data American FactFinder (U.S. Census Bureau) - single site for accessing population, housing & economic data. American FactFinder (U.S. Census Bureau) - single site for accessing population, housing & economic data. Decennial Census –collected for all residents every 10 years. Decennial Census –collected for all residents every 10 years. Economic Census – data collected every 5 years. Economic Census – data collected every 5 years. Annual Economic Surveys – County Business Patterns. Annual Economic Surveys – County Business Patterns. American Community Survey (ACS) – annual survey of a sample of the population (data released when the sample size is adequate). American Community Survey (ACS) – annual survey of a sample of the population (data released when the sample size is adequate). Some ACS data may not be available at the community level (privacy issues). Some ACS data may not be available at the community level (privacy issues).

Census &Economic Data Historical censuses have been scanned and are available from the U.S. Census Bureau (see Library Guide). Historical censuses have been scanned and are available from the U.S. Census Bureau (see Library Guide). Historical Census Atlases have been scanned and are available from the Library of Congress (see Library Guide). Historical Census Atlases have been scanned and are available from the Library of Congress (see Library Guide). Urban Atlases – produced by the Census Bureau in the 1970s for major metropolitan areas. Contain maps on population, labor force and other issues. Urban Atlases – produced by the Census Bureau in the 1970s for major metropolitan areas. Contain maps on population, labor force and other issues.

Historical Resources Historic Structures Inventory – available for most Illinois counties and some communities. Search I-Share Catalog. Historic Structures Inventory – available for most Illinois counties and some communities. Search I-Share Catalog. Illinois Historic Aerial Photographs. Illinois Historic Aerial Photographs. Historic Maps. Historic Maps. David Rumsey Collection – David Rumsey Collection – University of Illinois Digital Maps - University of Illinois Digital Maps Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Warner & Beers Atlas of the State of Illinois, Warner & Beers Atlas of the State of Illinois, 1876.

Historic Structures Inventory  Contains information about the built environment.  Provides the data on whether properties should be preserved (landmark designation).  Provides information about community growth and development for planning purposes.  Permanent archive of the community’s resources.

Historic Structures Inventory

Historic Aerial Photographs  Show extent of an urban area at a known date.  Phase I Site Assessment (environmental hazards).  How was this property used in the past?  What type of business has been located on this property?  Good for identifying potential environmental problems (leaking underground storage tanks, waste oil disposal).

Havana, 1938

Historic Maps  Show extent of urban area at a known date.  What type of business has been located on this property?  Several sources: David Rumsey Collection – scanned historic maps of many types of areas. David Rumsey Collection – scanned historic maps of many types of areas. American Memory (Library of Congress) - Birds-eye views. American Memory (Library of Congress) - Birds-eye views. State historic map collections. State historic map collections. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Plat books. Plat books.

David Rumsey Collection

University of Illinois Digital Maps Carthage, Illinois Topographic Map.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

Historic Newspapers  Record of local history and events.  Many available on microfilm.  Some online indexes (Chicago Tribune listed in Library Guide).

Environmental Information  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Illinois Site Selection Tool.  Aerial Photographs.  Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.  Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (general guides).

EPA Enviromapper

Illinois Site Selection Tool

Geographic Information System  Computer system that can be used to map all types of data.  Able to combine many types of data (boundary, Census, environmental).  Able to view change over time.

Questions?