Old Maps of DeKalb County, Illinois for Academic Research
Study the evolution of DeKalb County with 138 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.
- Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
- Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
- Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.
These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how DeKalb County has changed over the decades.
DeKalb County, IL maps
(138)- 1918 Map of Kirkland1918 Kirkland1918 Print · USGSNorthern Illinois prairie lands are shown here during the height of the steam rail era. You can trace early family roots through dozens of rural landmarks like Bloods Point School, Gunn School, and the junction at Kirkland.4 unique versions available
- 1934 Map of De Kalb, 1965 Print1934 De Kalb1965 Print · USGSDeKalb and its surrounding townships thrive as a major rail and highway hub during the mid-1930s. Researchers can trace dozens of country schoolhouses like Toad Hollow Sch and find family plots at Woodlawn Cem or Fairview Cem.
- 1937 Map of De Kalb1937 De Kalb1937 Print · USGSMid-1930s De Kalb County is captured here as a thriving rail and agricultural hub during the peak of the Lincoln Highway era. Genealogists can trace family footprints across dozens of local school sites like Toad Hollow Sch and old cemeteries including Woodlawn Cem and Calvary Cem.2 unique versions available
- 1937 Map of Sycamore1937 Sycamore1937 Print · USGSDeKalb and Kane counties are captured here in the mid-thirties, showing a landscape defined by prairie agriculture and a bustling rail network. Genealogists can locate family-named landmarks and rural institutions like Ohio Grove Cem, East Pierce Ch, and Coltonville Sch.2 unique versions available
- 1938 Map of Genoa1938 Genoa1938 Print · USGSNorthern Illinois farm country and rail junctions thrive in the late 1930s across the borders of De Kalb and McHenry counties. Genealogists can locate dozens of rural landmarks, from North Kingston Cem and Ney Ch to many local schools like Genoa Center Sch.3 unique versions available
- 1948 Map of Sandwich, 1965 Print1948 Sandwich1965 Print · USGSThe Fox River valley in the late 1940s is a landscape of established rail towns and deep rural roots. Researchers can trace the Indian Boundary Line or locate family landmarks like French Ch, Oak Mound Cem, and the Sleezer Sch.
- 1950 Map of Sandwich1950 Sandwich1950 Print · USGSNorthern Illinois prairie and river valleys come alive in the mid-century, following the rail lines of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy. Trace family roots at the Sandwich Fair Grounds or local landmarks like Maramech Hill and State Boys Training School.2 unique versions available
- 1951 Map of Earlville, 1952 Print1951 Earlville1952 Print · USGSThe rural crossroads of north-central Illinois come to life in this early fifties survey of the area surrounding Earlville and Leland. Genealogists can trace family ties at the Baker Cem or St Clara Cem and locate vanished schoolhouses like Austin Sch.2 unique versions available
- 1954 Map of Rockford1954 Rockford1954 Print · USGSThe Rock River valley and the Illinois-Wisconsin borderlands are captured here in the mid-1950s during a period of robust industrial and agricultural activity. Genealogists and historians can trace rail-era corridors like the Illinois Central RR and locate landmarks from Big Foot Prairie to Lake Geneva.
- 1955 Map of Rockford1955 Rockford1955 Print · USGSThe Rock River valley and southern Wisconsin dairy country are shown here in the mid-fifties as the region's manufacturing centers grew. Genealogists and historians can trace the paths of the Chicago and North Western RR and Illinois Central RR through hubs like Rockford and Beloit.
- 1958 Map of Aurora, 1969 Print1958 Aurora1969 Print · USGSNorthern Illinois in the late fifties shows a landscape of powerful river industry and expanding transport corridors. Genealogists and historians can trace the development of Aurora and Joliet or locate sites like the Elwood Ordnance Plant and Starved Rock.3 unique versions available
- 1958 Map of Rockford, 1974 Print1958 Rockford1974 Print · USGSNorthern Illinois and southern Wisconsin are shown here in the mid-twentieth century as rail-dependent industrial towns began to interface with growing lakefront communities. Genealogists can trace family roots through settlements like Saylesville and Tess Corners or locate historical landmarks like the Rockford Ordnance Depot.4 unique versions available
- 1961 Map of Aurora1961 Aurora1961 Print · USGSNorthern Illinois at the height of the post-war era reveals a landscape of massive industrial works and thriving river towns. Genealogists and historians can trace the paths of the Lincoln Highway or locate long-standing landmarks like the Green River Ordnance Plant and Starved Rock State Park.
- 1963 Map of Rockford1963 Rockford1963 Print · USGSThe mid-century industrial corridor along the Rock River is shown here during a period of rapid post-war growth. Researchers can trace the extensive rail lines of the Chicago and North Western or locate local landmarks like the Rockford Ordnance Depot and Holy Hill.
- 1968 Map of Belvidere South, 1970 Print1968 Belvidere South1970 Print · USGSThe Boone and De Kalb County line comes alive in this late 1960s record of rural Illinois agriculture and evolving transportation. Genealogists and local historians can trace family ties at Bloods Point Cem, locate the old Grange Hall, and follow the Illinois Central rail line through Herbert.3 unique versions available
- 1968 Map of Genoa, 1970 Print1968 Genoa1970 Print · USGSDeKalb County farmland and growing railroad towns are captured here in the late sixties as the region maintained its agricultural roots. Genealogists can locate family sites near Kingston Cem and Charter Grove or trace the busy Illinois Central rail line.2 unique versions available
- 1968 Map of Sycamore, 1970 Print1968 Sycamore1970 Print · USGSDeKalb and Sycamore are shown during a period of mid-century growth along the Kishwaukee River corridor. Genealogists and researchers can trace family landmarks like Mt Carmel Cem, Bethany Ch, and the Ohio Grove Grange across the prairie.2 unique versions available
- 1968 Map of Kirkland, 1970 Print1968 Kirkland1970 Print · USGSDeKalb County farmland is captured here in the late sixties, showing the active rail hubs of Kirkland and Kingston along the Kishwaukee River. Researchers can trace old family footprints at Maple Cem, locate the Mayfield Ch, or follow the Old RR Grade.
- 1968 Map of Big Rock, 1970 Print1968 Big Rock1970 Print · USGSThe Kane and DeKalb County borderlands are seen here in the late sixties, showcasing a landscape of section-line farms and quiet rural crossroads. Genealogists can trace family names at the West Big Rock Cem or follow the Chicago Burlington and Quincy rail line through Big Rock.2 unique versions available
- 1968 Map of Hinckley, 1970 Print1968 Hinckley1970 Print · USGSThe village of Hinckley and the surrounding Illinois prairie are documented here during the late 1960s. Researchers can trace the path of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad or locate local landmarks like Immanuel Ch and Miller Cem.
- 1968 Map of Hampshire, 1970 Print1968 Hampshire1970 Print · USGSKane and De Kalb counties are captured here in the late sixties as the rural landscape centered on rail-town life. Researchers can trace ancestral farmsteads along Plank Road or locate family plots at Hampshire Center Cem and Burlington Union Cem.2 unique versions available
- 1968 Map of Fairdale, 1970 Print1968 Fairdale1970 Print · USGSDeKalb and Ogle Counties are captured in the late sixties as an active agricultural and transport corridor. Local researchers can trace family names and landmarks like Hicks Mills Cem, the small settlement of Fairdale, and the path of the Chicago and North Western railroad.2 unique versions available
- 1968 Map of Marengo South, 1970 Print1968 Marengo South1970 Print · USGSIn the late sixties, the rural borderlands of McHenry, DeKalb, and Kane Counties were undergoing change as modern highways intersected old rail lines. Genealogists and local historians can trace family-named roads and sites like Coral Cem, Union Ch, and the Tollgate near Harmony.2 unique versions available
- 1968 Map of Riley, 1970 Print1968 Riley1970 Print · USGSIn the late sixties, this agricultural landscape at the junction of three counties remained centered on family farms and country roads. Researchers can locate specific sites like the No 10 School, Barber Cem, and the Grange Hall near the village of Riley.2 unique versions available
- 1968 Map of Cherry Valley, 1970 Print1968 Cherry Valley1970 Print · USGSNorthern Illinois agriculture meets the growing industrial corridors of Winnebago and Boone counties in the late sixties. Genealogists and local historians can trace family-named routes and landmarks like Arlington Memorial Park Cem, Flora Ch, and the rail stops at Irene or Perryville.3 unique versions available
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