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Plan Books

Plan Books

Plan books were kept by various municipal offices responsible for keeping track of property within the city. Some offices were interested in the subdivision of properties, while others were interested in the improvements on lots. The usefulness of these plan books to researchers varies depending on the original purpose of the volumes. Information contained in Plan Books can include lot subdivisions, property values, sale information, and building materials.

The Notarial Archives holds a large collection of original Plan Books, mostly dating from 1830-1860. These 19th century watercolor lot surveys, often contain architectural drawings with floor plans, landscape designs, and other rich details useful to researchers.

  • Second Municipality Plan Books, 1852

    New Orleans Second Municipality, 6 volumes. Each sheet contains a plat of an individual square, showing lot subdivisions, with measurements and names of property owners indicated. Available on microfilm in the City Archives.

  • Surveyor's Office Plan Books, 1855-1881

    Includes plan books from the estate of John McDonogh, as well as all municipal districts except 5 and 7. Available on microfilm in the City Archvies.

  • City Auctioneer's Plan Books, 1860-1869

    Plan Books for the First Municipal District of New Orleans, 7 volumes. Each map shows one square, giving lot subdivisions and measurements, names of owners of individual lots, value of the property, and, sometimes, names of purchasers, purchase price, and date of sale. Available on microfilm in the City Archives.

  • Board of Commissioner's Plan Book, 1872

    Board of Commissioner's for the Third Drainage District, plan book showing drainage tax and subdivision of squares. Available to view by appointment in the City Archives.

  • New Orleans Draining Company Plan Book, 1852

    Plan Book for the Second Section. includes copies of plans of individual squares in the section, showing lot subdivisions and names of lot owners, along with accompanying charts showing lot dimensions and valuations. Available on microfilm in the City Archives.

  • City of Lafayette Plan Books

    Plan Book (1851) available to view by appointment in the City Archives.
    Plan Books (1850-1869) available on microfilm in the City Archives.
    Plan Books (7 vols, no date) available on microfilm in the City Archives.

  • City of Jefferson Plan Books

    Surveyor's Office Plan Books, 3 volumes, 1834-1868.
    These three volumes for Jefferson City (now the sixth municipal district) show only the subdivision of squares with neither owners or houses indicated. Available on microfilm in the City Archives.

  • City of Carrollton Plan Books, 1833-1873

    These two volumes, for the old City of Carrollton (presently the seventh municipal district) indicate the subdivision of squares with a record of property transactions included on adjacent pages. No buildings are shown. Available to view in the City Archives by appointment.

Maps, Surveys, and Photographs

Property Research Guide

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