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1900s (20th Century) Maps of Des Plaines, Illinois

Explore 30 historic maps of Des Plaines from the 1900s (20th Century). These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1900s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how Des Plaines's landscape evolved across the 1900s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1900s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring Des Plaines's history through authentic maps from the 1900s. This is your window into the past.

Des Plaines, IL maps

(30)
  1. 1900 Map of Riverside
    1900 Map of Riverside
    1900 Riverside
    1900 Print · USGS
    The western Chicago suburbs and the Desplaines River valley are captured here during a period of massive industrial and rail expansion. Genealogists can locate early settlements like Fullersburg and Lace, or trace family plots in Waldheim Cemetery.
  4. 1900 Map of Highwood
    1900 Map of Highwood
    1900 Highwood
    1900 Print · USGS
    Coastal bluffs and river valleys north of Chicago come alive in this late nineteenth-century survey. Trace the early footprints of settlements like Highland Park and Arlington Heights or locate the historic military grounds at Fort Sheridan.
    5 unique versions available
  7. 1901 Map of Riverside
    1901 Map of Riverside
    1901 Riverside
    1901 Print · USGS
    Greater Chicago and the Desplaines River valley are captured here at a moment of rapid rail expansion and civic engineering. Genealogists and historians can trace early settlements and burial sites like Waldheim Cemetery, the Chicago Union Transfer Railroad Yards, and Jefferson Park.
    4 unique versions available
  10. 1927 Map of Arlington Heights
    1927 Map of Arlington Heights
    1927 Arlington Heights
    1927 Print · USGS
    Cook County in the mid-1920s shows a landscape of emerging rail suburbs and quiet prairie farmland. Genealogists and local historians can trace family-named sites and vanished landmarks like the English Cemetery, Schnells Corner, and St Johns Church.
    3 unique versions available
  13. 1928 Map of Elmhurst
    1928 Map of Elmhurst
    1928 Elmhurst
    1928 Print · USGS
    Western suburbs like Elmhurst and Bensenville appear in the late 1920s as thriving rail hubs before the postwar housing boom. Researchers can trace early family sites at Friedens Cemetery, locate the Lutheran Orphanage, and see the original layout of Elmhurst College.
    3 unique versions available
  16. 1928 Map of River Forest
    1928 Map of River Forest
    1928 River Forest
    1928 Print · USGS
    In the late twenties, the Chicago city limits pushed westward toward the Des Plaines River, transforming prairie and farmland into a dense suburban grid. Genealogists and historians can trace family plots in St Joseph Cemetery or locate early landmarks like Rosary College and the Chicago State Hospital.
    4 unique versions available
  19. 1929 Map of Park Ridge
    1929 Map of Park Ridge
    1929 Park Ridge
    1929 Print · USGS
    North of Chicago in the late twenties, this area was rapidly evolving from agricultural land into a network of suburban settlements. Genealogists and historians can trace institutional sites like the St Marys Mission House and early cemeteries such as Maine Cemetery or Sunset Cemetery.
    3 unique versions available
  22. 1953 Map of Arlington Heights, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of Arlington Heights, 1955 Print
    1953 Arlington Heights
    1955 Print · USGS
    Post-war Cook County comes alive in this survey of the growing corridor from Arlington Heights to Des Plaines. Trace family roots at All Saints Cem or locate the early footprints of Pal-Waukee Airport and O'Hare Field.
  25. 1953 Map of River Forest, 1955 Print
    1953 Map of River Forest, 1955 Print
    1953 River Forest
    1955 Print · USGS
    Suburban Cook County is seen in a period of dense growth during the early fifties, showing the maturing street grids of River Grove and Oak Park. Genealogists can locate numerous local landmarks like St Joseph Cemetery and schools such as Wright Jr College.
  28. 1953 Map of Park Ridge, 1956 Print
    1953 Map of Park Ridge, 1956 Print
    1953 Park Ridge
    1956 Print · USGS
    The northern Chicago suburbs are caught in a moment of rapid post-war suburbanization during the early fifties. Genealogists and local historians can trace family roots through numerous sites like Sunset Memorial Gardens, Maine Township High Sch, and the St Andrews Home.
  31. 1953 Map of Elmhurst, 1956 Print
    1953 Map of Elmhurst, 1956 Print
    1953 Elmhurst
    1956 Print · USGS
    The western suburbs of Chicago are seen in a period of intense postwar expansion, from the rising O'Hare Field to the core of Elmhurst. Genealogists and historians can trace local institutions and early aviation sites like the Mater Dolorosa Seminary, Zion Cem, and Sky Haven Airport.
  34. 1953 Map of Chicago, 1964 Print
    1953 Map of Chicago, 1964 Print
    1953 Chicago
    1964 Print · USGS
    The southern Lake Michigan shoreline was rapidly modernizing in the mid-fifties, balancing heavy industry with its famous academic centers. Researchers can trace the footprints of Notre Dame University or locate vanished sites like the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant and Meigs Field.
    5 unique versions available
  37. 1957 Map of Chicago
    1957 Map of Chicago
    1957 Chicago
    1957 Print · USGS
    The industrial heartland and southern Great Lakes shoreline are captured here during the peak of mid-century growth. Researchers can trace the massive Gary Steel Works, the grounds of the University of Notre Dame, and the early paths of the Tri-State Tollway.
  40. 1958 Map of Racine, 1971 Print
    1958 Map of Racine, 1971 Print
    1958 Racine
    1971 Print · USGS
    The Lake Michigan shoreline in the late fifties was a study in contrasts between the industrial bustle of Kenosha and the quiet woods of the Allegan State Forest. Genealogists and historians can trace the urban footprint of Evanston or locate strategic sites like Fort Sheridan and the Wind Point Light.
    3 unique versions available
  43. 1962 Map of Racine
    1962 Map of Racine
    1962 Racine
    1962 Print · USGS
    The Lake Michigan shoreline in the early sixties reveals a fascinating contrast between the dense industrial rail hubs of RACINE and CHICAGO and the forested dunes of Michigan. Local historians can trace military installations like Fort Sheridan or explore the numerous inland retreats around Paw Paw Lake and Sister Lakes.
  46. 1962 Map of Arlington Heights, 1973 Print
    1962 Map of Arlington Heights, 1973 Print
    1962 Arlington Heights
    1973 Print · USGS
    Northwest Cook County undergoes significant suburban transformation in the early seventies as new developments connect established towns. Genealogists and local historians can trace the growth of Arlington Heights and Des Plaines while locating landmarks like All Saints Cemetery or the Pal-Waukee Airport.
  49. 1963 Map of Arlington Heights, 1964 Print
    1963 Map of Arlington Heights, 1964 Print
    1963 Arlington Heights
    1964 Print · USGS
    The Northwest Suburbs are captured here during a mid-century period of intense suburban growth. Genealogists and local historians can trace family plots at ALL SAINTS CEMETERY or locate old neighborhood landmarks like Randhurst Shopping Center and St Patrick Academy.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1963 Map of Elmhurst, 1964 Print
    1963 Map of Elmhurst, 1964 Print
    1963 Elmhurst
    1964 Print · USGS
    Mid-century suburban expansion across Cook and DuPage Counties is frozen in time just as the jet age transformed the region. Genealogists and historians can trace family plots at Mt Emblem Cemetery and old landmarks like Churchville or the Mater Dolorosa Seminary.
    3 unique versions available
  55. 1963 Map of Park Ridge, 1964 Print
    1963 Map of Park Ridge, 1964 Print
    1963 Park Ridge
    1964 Print · USGS
    The northern Chicago suburbs are caught in a period of rapid post-war maturity, showing the transition from village life to a modern metropolitan landscape. Genealogists can locate family sites among numerous plots like Ridgewood Cemetery or trace institutional roots at the Naval Air Station and St Marys Mission House.
    3 unique versions available
  58. 1963 Map of River Forest, 1964 Print
    1963 Map of River Forest, 1964 Print
    1963 River Forest
    1964 Print · USGS
    Mid-century suburban expansion meets the Des Plaines riverfront in this 1960s view of western Cook County. Researchers can trace family history through numerous landmarks like St Joseph Cemetery, Maywood Park Racetrack, and the Chicago State Hospital.
    4 unique versions available
  61. 1980 Map of Chicago
    1980 Map of Chicago
    1980 Chicago
    1980 Print · USGS
    The Chicago metropolitan area and the industrial shores of Northwest Indiana are captured here at the start of the 1980s. Genealogists and local historians can trace the vast urban landscape through landmarks like Loyola University, St Casimir Cemetery, and the busy docks of Calumet Harbor.
  64. 1980 Map of Waukegan
    1980 Map of Waukegan
    1980 Waukegan
    1980 Print · USGS
    The Illinois North Shore and Lake Michigan coastline appear at a point of high development in the early eighties. Trace the expansive grounds of the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Fort Sheridan, and historic Northwestern University.
  67. 1993 Map of Park Ridge
    1993 Map of Park Ridge
    1993 Park Ridge
    1993 Print · USGS
    Northern Cook County is shown in the early nineties as a fully developed suburban landscape centered on the Glenview Naval Air Station. Genealogists and historians can trace local institutions and burial sites including St Adalbert Cem and Ridgewood Cemetery.
  70. 1993 Map of Elmhurst
    1993 Map of Elmhurst
    1993 Elmhurst
    1993 Print · USGS
    Suburban Chicago thrives in the early nineties, showing the massive footprint of O'Hare International Airport alongside growing residential tracts. Genealogists and historians can trace local landmarks like Elmhurst College, Arlington Cemetery, and York High School.
  73. 1993 Map of River Forest
    1993 Map of River Forest
    1993 River Forest
    1993 Print · USGS
    The western suburbs of Chicago and the Des Plaines River valley are shown in great detail during the early nineties. Genealogists can locate family sites at St Joseph Cemetery or Waldheim Cemetery and trace schools like St Vincent Ferrer School.
    2 unique versions available
Showing maps 1-25 of 30

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