Sanborn Map Company

The Sanborn Map Company, Inc. is a US geospatial firm whose own account states it created its first maps in 1866 and has been pioneering new ways of portraying and working with mapped data ever since. It was founded as the "D. A. Sanborn National Diagram Bureau" in New York City by Daniel Alfred Sanborn to produce detailed atlases and building maps for the fire insurance industry, and it assumed its present name in 1902. Today the company describes itself as a one-stop shop for geospatial, offering mapping services, spatial analysis, software solutions, spatial intelligence, program support and flight services, and serving industries including transportation, broadband, forestry, utilities, government, environment, energy, health and agriculture. John Copple is its CEO.

According to the company's own account, Sanborn created its first maps in 1866. Daniel Alfred Sanborn founded the "D. A. Sanborn National Diagram Bureau" in 1866 in New York City to produce detailed atlases and building maps for the fire insurance industry. Shortly after founding, Sanborn developed and copyrighted a key of specialized map symbols that have perpetuated up to the present. The building- and neighborhood-level detail helped insurance underwriters understand risk from the use, construction, contents and surroundings of buildings. The company initiated the use of "pasters" — corrections that updated building information that could be pasted into printed maps in bound volumes — enabling customers to keep maps up to date without purchasing complete re-issued volumes. By 1884 the company had accomplished the publication of four thousand maps and covered 120 cities, with national coverage anchored by offices in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. The Sanborn Map Company assumed its present name in 1902, and its growth to a national presence through mergers and acquisition, general expansion, and the quality and standardization of its products made it a national leader. The company's own timeline labels subsequent eras "Market Dominance" (early 20th century), "Pivot to New Technologies" (late 20th century), "Reimagining the Role of Mapping" (turn of the century) and "Pioneering Geospatial" (21st century). Today it describes itself as a one-stop shop for geospatial, stating that for 150+ years it has pioneered a comprehensive approach to geospatial data and solutions.

A single dependable partner for all geospatial needs — data, solutions, technology, strategy, staffing and support — with a comprehensive approach and a 150+ year track record.

• Mapping Services

  End-to-end aerial imagery and ground survey services using Sanborn's own platforms, technology and specialized geospatial teams.

• Sanborn Flight Services

  Access to aerial platforms for cameras and sensors, plus technical and data acquisition staff resources including pilots and sensor operators.

1. 1Aerial Imagery, Lidar Mapping & Geospatial Services | Sanbornsanborn.com
2. 2About Sanborn | Mapping & Geospatial Solutions Since 1866sanborn.com
3. 3Aerial Mapping Services, Drone Surveying & GIS Mapping | Sanbornsanborn.com
4. 4Sanborn Flight Services - Sanbornsanborn.com