The Sanborn Co. was founded in 1867 by D.A. Sanborn, to draw maps of the downtown districts of cities across the U.S. These maps could then be consulted by insurance companies if a building burned to research different characteristics about the business and the physical structure. The company stopped making the fire insurance maps in 1961, due to other sources being used to obtain the needed information. Today, they serve as a wonderful resource for tracing the growth of cities and tracking where businesses were located decades ago. We have these maps on microfilm for the entire state of Wisconsin. We also have copies of the actual maps in paper format for cities in our four-county area. The dates range from approximately the 1880s to the 1920s for our area. The maps were not issued regularly, so do not expect any pattern as to when the maps came out for various cities.
Real-photo postcard with image of the main street of Osceola, Wisconsin. The street is lined with 1940s-era automobiles. Businesses that can be seen include Zorn Auto Co. (Chevrolet and Buick), the Koffee Kup cafe, the Co-op and Osceola Beauty Shop, the old Polk County courthouse building with a sign on the side reading Berk's, and Sue's Ice Cream, Bjerke Drugs (also selling soda and Hamm's beer), P.Y.'s Tavern, the Star theatre, and a sign for Standard Service, although the station cannot be seen. Date from postmark: May 20, 1947; mailed from Osceola Wis; a red 5¢ Air Mail stamp. Message: Addressed to Mr. John Oden, Anchorage, Alaska. "Hi John: Here we are away outside. We're having a grand time. Everyone is fine and enjoying the trip a lot. Haven't seen Florence yet. Nice seeing all my folks again. Love, Violet [?]."
Postcard with image overlooking Osceola, Wisconsin, with the downtown business area in the foreground, probably taken from the bluff. Text printed on verso: Chas. H. Werner & Sons Co., Detroit, Mich. Made in Germany. Date from message. Message: Addressed to Mr. Jerome Greene, Agricultural School, St. Anthony Pakr, St. Paul, Minnesota. "April 2, 1914. Dear Brother: Rec'd your cards and was glad to hear you got there all right. I s'pose you are having a fine time. We'll be at Shafer* Saturday to meet you at noon train. Well I hope you will get this card all right, as ever your Sister Theresa." [Shafer, Minnesota, across the St. Croix River from Osceola.]
Looking south on the main business street through Osceola. Businesses shown include the Right Price Store, Koch's, the Bank of Osceola, and a drugstore with two boys outside. On the street is a horse-drawn delivery wagon and five automobiles. Also visible are electric and telephone poles and lines, and a street light. Date from postmark: Sep 1 [19]25; mailed from Osceola Wisconsin; stamp has been removed. Message: Addressed to Mr. Adolf Erickson, 3330 Hiawatha Ave. South, Minneapolis, Minn. "Osceola, Wisconsin, Sept 1st 1925, Kind Friend, This forenoon I left home and arrived at Osceola shortly after 12. Kind regards from Arthur Carlson."
Real-photo postcard with image of a Victorian home on a dirt street with a hitching post, located in Osceola, Wisconsin. Date from postmark: Sep 4, 1908; mailed from Osceola, Wisconsin; green 1¢ Franklin "Gingerbread" stamp. Handwritten on recto of card: Osceola, Wisconsin, Sep. 3 - '08. Message: Addressed to Mrs. J.S. Holloway, Koshkonong Mo. "My dear Sister, Yours recd. Was very glad to hear from you. I'm going to Minneapolis tomorrow. Will visit old [] Heirmeyer who is visiting her daughter []ssie. I don't think of staying long - its very cool and delightfully pleasant up here, but with all that, I am not at all well, just one of my spells [] had sick head Sunday awful - & my stomach was as usual fine. back am want to send several cards. So will say good bye. __ writes all is o.k. at fair. Not heard from Bruce. Love to all. L."
Real-photo postcard with image of the main street in Osceola, Wisconsin, showing a faked electric trolley running on the dirt street. Also shown are numerous automobiles, several pedestrians, electric poles, and businesses with signs that include: Zorn's Garage, Auto Repairs; Osceola Produce; a clock sign with Bank of Osceola; and a Bell Telephone sign. Date from postmark: May 13, 1926; mailed from Osceola Wisconsin; 2¢ red Washington stamp. Message: Addressed to Mis [sic] Ann Kohls, 91 East 6th St., St. Paul, Minn. "Dear Sweetie. I'm just writing you a short line in that my thoughts are with you. Will see my old pal Monday, May 22nd. Wished you were here. What do you think of the city street, cars and everything. Lolla. 2 write, address Osceola, Wisconsin"
Linen postcard with image of the Osceola Hotel in Osceola, Polk County, Wisconsin. Text printed on verso: National Press, Inc., North Chicago. Date from postmark: May 9 1956; mailed from Osceola Wisconsin; stamp is missing. Message: Addressed to Mr. Leon H. Church, Lebanon, Illinois. "5/9/56. Thanks Mr. Church for the fine words for my mother, in your paper. Here's the 43 room hotel - now 23 plus 11 apartments. Yours, Oliver Eicher."
Real-photo postcard with image of the Catholic church building in Osceola, Wisconsin. The church has a steeple with a visible bell. Showing in the photo are a chimney, lancet windows, a stone basement, electric lines, and trees and bushes around the building. Unused.
Real and personal property rolls showing assessed valuation of property, taxes levied against property, and taxes paid. Holdings are not complete. Beginning in 1945, records are retained only for every fifth year. The pre-1945 tax rolls are available only on microfilm.