Property Research Help
Help your house tell its story. Below is a curated list of the best places to find dates, owners, photos, maps, permits, and architectural info for properties in Springfield, Greene County, and across Missouri.
We are always trying to add to this list, so if you have any tips, tricks or recommendations please feel free to reach out!
Quick How-to
TIPS & TRICKS
Pin it down. Start with the Assessor for parcel ID and legal description; note subdivision and lot numbers.
Build the chain of title. Use the Recorder of Deeds (grantor/grantee index) to trace owners; note dates, consideration, and legal changes.
Tip: Sometimes addresses change or are updated, so looking for an original address will help you date your property further!
Time‑travel with maps. Compare Sanborn maps, the 1908 city map, and later aerials to spot additions, porches, garages, and material changes.
Find the people. Search library databases/newspapers for owners, architects, and builders; check city directories and obituaries for occupations and dates.
Confirm significance. Check Landmarks Board and NPGallery for existing designations; read MPS/context docs to see how your property fits larger stories.
Tip: Photograph details (foundation, siding joints, window types, roof framing) before you read; then match what you saw to period catalogs and Sanborn notes.
Start Here (Quick Checks)
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Greene County Assessor – Property Search
Look up parcel info, legal description, assessed value history, and aerials.
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Greene County Recorder of Deeds
Deeds, plats, and other land records. Older records may require in-person research.
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Springfield Landmarks Board
See if a property is a local landmark or within a local historic district; learn rules and incentives.
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National Register of Historic Places – NPGallery
Search for National Register listings and district nomination PDFs (often goldmines of historical context).
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Library of Congress
HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY (HABS)
Historic architectural drawings and photographs of significant American buildings.
Maps & Visual Evidence
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Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Library of Congress)
Track building footprints, materials, and outbuildings over time.
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Sanborn Maps – Missouri Collections (University of Missouri)
Additional Missouri city scans and finding aids.
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City of Springfield – Interactive Map Gallery
Access city GIS layers and interactive maps
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GIS Data of property data by parcel
GIS Map of historical property data by parcel
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Greene County Archives – 1908 Map of Springfield & Suburbs
Ward boundaries, rail yards, factories, and plats.
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Library of Congress
HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY (HABS)
Historic architectural drawings and photographs of significant American buildings.
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David Rumsey Historical Maps
The David Rumsey Map Collection at Stanford University features over 96,000 digitized maps from the 16th–21st centuries, covering regions across the globe. The collection, housed in the David Rumsey Map Center, includes rare historical maps accessible through its online database and blog.
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Missouri Digital Heritage Collections- Maps
Topographic, highway, railroad, insurance, demographic and historical maps
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Old Maps Online
OldMapsOnline, created from a passion for historical maps, began as a collaboration between Klokan Technologies (Switzerland) and the Great Britain Historical GIS Project at the University of Portsmouth, funded by JISC. Since 2013, it has been maintained and improved by volunteers and the Klokan Technologies team.
Local History, Photos, and Newspapers
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Springfield–Greene County Library – Local History
Research help, digital archives, Springfield newspapers index, and research requests.
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Local History Digital Archive
Historic photos, documents, oral histories, and recordings from the Ozarks region.
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Library Databases (with a card)
HeritageQuest, historical newspapers, and more.
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Greene County Archives & Records Center
Deed indexes (1833–1877), plats, maps, and county records.
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Greene County Historical Society – Libraries & Archives Guide
Orientation to local repositories and how to use them.
Missouri-Wide Resources
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Missouri State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
State programs, surveys, tax credits, grants, and the Missouri Cultural Resource Inventory.
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SHPO – Cultural Resources Survey & GIS
Learn about statewide survey data (buildings, bridges, archaeology) and how to access it.
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Greene County National Register Listings (State index)
One-stop list of local NRHP properties and districts.
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Missouri DNR Open Data – Historic Sites & Districts (GIS)
Map of National Register sites, local districts, and survey areas statewide.
Permits, Zoning, and Designation Info
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City of Springfield – Landmarks & National Register
Overview of local vs. national designation and what it means for owners.
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Greene County Courts – Liens on Property
Where to check for liens; title companies can assist for a fee.
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Missouri DNR Open Data – Historic Sites & Districts (GIS)
Map of National Register sites, local districts, and survey areas statewide.