Placenames Research Center

The University of Alabama Map Library, designated an official Placenames Research Center of the United States in 1990 by the American Name Society, is one of two national research centers for toponymic studies.  The Map Library has an extensive collection (over 900 items) of placenames and other related materials which is national in scope.  The staff consists of Thomas J. Kallsen, Map Library Supervisor, and Linda S. Watson, Place Names Researcher.  Thomas  Kallsen is a member of the Placename Survey of the United States, sponsored by the American Name Society, and Linda Watson is one of a few full-time place names researchers in the country.

Some of the types of placename related materials in the Map Library are:

Post Office Site Location Reports
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Cemetery Guides
Travel Guide Books
Gazetteers
Guides to Historical Places
Lighthouse Books
Cruising Guides
River And Trail Guides
Road Touring Guides
The Heritage Series of Alabama Counties

These materials are non circulating.