The Grace Schmidt Room of Local History

Map Collection in the GSR

The maps in the GSR range in date from the early 1800’s to 2000. The formats of the maps vary, from fragile originals to microfiche. The collection includes street maps, fire insurance maps and aerial photographs.

You may view a map in the GSR collection by inquiring at the Level 3 Information Desk.

Map Collection Indexing

There are two catalogue drawers of index cards in the GSR:
MAPS – SUBJECT
MAPS – DATE

The SUBJECT index file lists maps by community name, for example Berlin or Waterloo Township. There is limited access by the type of map, for example, aerial maps.

The DATE index file lists maps by publication date, by decade. If you are interested in checking what maps are available from the 1860’s, you can find the answer in this drawer.

The location code for each map is written on the upper right corner of each index card. Library staff need this information to locate the map for you.

Map Catalogue binders

Each catalogued map has a catalogue worksheet, which is kept in a binder. The sheets are arranged by the map number assigned when it was processed. These catalogue sheets contain more information about each map than may appear on the catalogue card.

The binders are kept on the wooden shelving unit in the GSR, near the display case. If you need assistance locating these binders, please ask staff to help you.

Fire Insurance Maps

Fire insurance maps were produced in Canada between 1876 and 1973. They were used by fire insurance companies to determine the financial risk of insuring private homes and businesses.

They are historically significant for the following data:

1) Location and size of buildings
2) Size and shape of buildings
3) Construction details
4) Use of buildings

Please note that these fire insurance maps often have two dates on them, an original date and a revision date. Plans were updated frequently. When minor corrections were necessary, revision slips were issued which were pasted onto the original map. New editions were issued only when major changes took place.

Please note that fire insurance maps cannot be copied under any circumstance.

Berlin/Kitchener Fire Insurance Maps

GSR collection has 3 Berlin/Kitchener fire insurance maps.

M449-H1 Berlin 1894 revised 1904

Kitchener 1908 revised 1925

Kitchener 1908 revised 1947 (on microfiche only)

Fire Insurance Maps on Microfiche in the GSR

For more information about fire insurance maps see –

MGSR
016.368110223
Dubre Catalogue of Canadian Fire Insurance plans, 1875-1975

Aerial Photographs

The GSR has a series of aerial photographs which have been purchased from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. These were flown every five years. The years available in the GSR are:

1975 Partial set only (K-W coverage)
1980 Partial set only (K-W coverage)
1985 Partial set only (K-W coverage)
1990 Full set for the whole region
1995 Full set for the whole region
2000 Full set for the whole region

To locate these aerial photographs, check in the Map Subject drawer under the heading Aerial Maps.

An index map for the 1995 and 2000 series is also available. You will need to ask staff to see this map.