The Philadelphia ParcelExplorer application, as a project for the Department of Records, is one of Azavea’s latest web-based applications. Unique in the U.S. and already more than 100-subscribers strong, ParcelExplorer enables public end-users to enter an address or registry map number and view property records information including scanned version of the paper-based registry maps.

Additionally, users are able to measure parcels and lines; add annotation to the maps; display a printable copy; display condominium information; and display parcel history.

Registry maps, or land parcel record maps, have been kept in Philadelphia for a long time, but have only been recently digitized by the City’s Records Department. Digitizing the data means that they are much easier to organize and keep updated, but there was a desire to keep scans of the original maps, which were recorded on linen, so that they could be viewable along with the digitized data. The ParcelExplorer application solved this problem by enabling users to use scans of the originals as background to the digitized map (learn more).

There are several new features to be rolled out soon, most notably the addition of historic maps from the Philadelphia Free Library. These include the Hexamer-Locher Philadelphia maps made between 1858 and 1860, and land-use maps from 1942 and 1962. The historic map scans were made and contributed by the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Another recent improvement is the addition of links to historic photos at PhillyHistory.org. Now, when you look at a parcel or historic map, you can find historic photos nearby.