Ramsey County Historical Society

The Ramsey County Historical Society will digitize approximately 2.5 million county assessor field cards that document the structural changes to all Ramsey County residential properties made between 1915 and 2007. The cards provide information related to zoning, building design, progression of ownership and more, and as such, have the potential to reveal historic zoning codes that delineate areas of racial segregation. Once digitized, the collection will become a resource for historians, scholars, and reformers studying the connection between racial housing covenants, redlining, and zoning. It will also help individuals research the history of their homes, neighborhoods, and the individuals who shaped the county’s diverse residential areas. Digitization will enhance long-term preservation of the collection by reducing handling of the cards and will prepare the digital files in preparation for the creation of a publicly accessible online catalog.