Where can I find building histories?

Question:Are there any sites which let me look at building histories? Not famous buildings, just general houses or pubs etc.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Are there any sites which let me look at building histories? Not famous buildings, just general houses or pubs etc.

In the USA, public libraries have old city directories. City directories, in turn, have a reverse listings section, which has people listed by address, instead of by name. That will show you the name of the people who lived in the house in past years.

The county tax office will have records of who paid taxes on the building. The county Building department may have a history of permits for additions and alterations.

None of these are on-line. For them to be on-line, someone would have to transcribe or digitize the data, either out of love for the sport (Free BMD has thousands of volunteers like that) or for money (Ancestry.com). There isn't enough interest in the history of ordinary houses to make it worth anyone's while.

There's probably nothing on line at all, but....
Contact the city where the property is located and find out if they have a historical society or some such. That group will be able to tell you if there are any individuals who can help. Sometimes you will find an "urban renewal" department or something like that, and they will be able to help you.
The biggest issue is getting ahold of the right person who can help you. It's usually a volunteer who happens to be an expert on the old buildings in the town or city.
Make several phone calls and see what happens.

Two links here that may be of help.