Researching Historic Homes & Buildings: Home

I have an old home? How do I find out more about it?

Questions like these are asked very often at the Wyoming State Archives.  This LibGuide provides information on a variety of resources you can use to piece together the history of your historic home or building.  The Example section provides steps for researching your home or building using the records discussed in the following pages.

Records important in researching building history include:

• Sanborn Insurance Maps
• County Land Records 
• City Directories
• Photographs

Residential street scene on West 18th Street, between Capitol and Central Avenue, 1904.
In the foreground is the residence of Governor Moonlight, the seventh governor of Wyoming Territory.
(WSA Sub Neg 2643)

Before you begin, there are a few pieces of information you can collect that will help you as you research.

• Ask neighbors about the property, they may be able to give insight into changes to the property and a history of the neighbordhood
  
• Have the address
• Find the legal description (block/lot(s)/addition) for the property from county property tax records or records like the Sanborn Insurance Maps

Wyoming State Archives
2301 Central Ave
Cheyenne, WY 82002