Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

The Library of Congress has digitized several sheets of the old Sanborn Fire Insurance maps from cities all over the country.  To read about the collection, go here:  Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.  They have several Louisiana towns, including Monroe and West Monroe for the years 1886, 1890, 1893 and 1898.  These maps show the buildings that were in the city limits and what they were made of.  Sometimes the name of the business is identified!  I have been having fun trying to figure out what businesses were standing where and compare the maps with contemporary photos!