Yesterday, I mentioned the Bocci Ball Court, and the only way I learned of their existence is because I possess a 1929 Sanborn Map of Susanville, with a 1935 update. The maps are quite rare because Sanborn never gave up ownership of their maps. As was customary, an insurance underwriter rented the map, and was later returned back to the company. My copy is only one of four in existence. How, I received a copy is an interesting story in itself, but it was in a junk pile of other records destined to the dump.

The maps are a treasure trove of information. The maps are quite detailed indicating whether a building was made of wood, brick, stone etc. Take for instance, the steeple of Sacred Heart Church was thirty feet in height. Another example, as the above illustration indicates, Carroll Street crossed Susan River to connect with Richmond Road. The street has since been realigned and no longer crosses over the river, but one can see the cement bridge abutments. Another example with streets, Alexander Avenue was not a through street and its length was from North Railroad Avenue to Cornell Street.

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