how do I go about finding the original floorplans for a house we are considering buying that was built in 1910

Question

It has been turned into a four unit apartment house and we would rather use it as a single family by restoring as close as possible with a little upgrades to its original floorplan.( if there was only one bathroom it WILL be changed) It is currently four one bed one bath units. what city office or possible site could i find those plans

Answer 1

County Deed records might show an old survey page that sometimes outlines original floorplan. It's going to be hard, but you might find something.

Answer 2

It may have been built without plans. Or at least recorded records of the plans. It is difficult to get plans of homes built this year without going through the builder, much less nearly 100 years ago.

Maybe the recorder’s office, assessor’s office. If you can get a copy of the deed, at the recorder’s office, you can find the original owner, and maybe find some children or grandchildren of the original owners. But I have serious doubt that helps.

Another option is contacting HABS

http://www.nps.gov/history/hdp/habs/index.htm

Assuming you are in the USA. I assume there similar agencies in other countries. But anyway, the HABS project wasn't started until 1933, and they may not have even recorded the house in question.

It is doubtful, you get exact documentation. If lucky, you find some old photo's of the exterior.

Now my two cents. I wouldn't worry about making it a prefect recreation of the original. First, we live differently than 100 years ago. So our housing has certainly changed. You already said you need more than one bath even if the original only had one bath. Kitchens, bedrooms, parlors are different. When was last time you sat in a parlor? Second, part of the fun of restoring a house is making it personal, which means it won't be an exact restoration. I think it is admirable to want to honor the architectural history of the house, unlike so many people that slap whatever is cheapest and easiest on the house to "fix" it up, but it doesn't need to be exact.

If you find some exterior photo's, I think honoring those architectural details is very admirable, but make the plan work for your life.

Answer 3

If you are in Los Angeles go downtown to the Hall of Records at Temple and Hill St. In the basement are old archives.

Answer 4

You may have to go to the building department in the state you're in. Not sure if they have a website for that info though.