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Old Maps of Nelson Township, Illinois

Explore 18 old maps of Nelson Township, spanning from 1930 to today. These high-resolution historic maps reveal how streets, neighborhoods, landmarks, and natural features evolved over time — perfect for genealogy, metal detecting, research, and local history exploration.

What you can do with these maps:

  • See how Nelson Township changed over time: Compare historical maps to modern-day views to trace roads, homesites, rail lines & more.
  • View detailed metadata: Each map includes creators, publishers, year, scale, and archive source.
  • Overlay maps with satellite & LiDAR: Visualize the past alongside modern tools to explore terrain & human change.
  • Trusted historical sources: Maps sourced from the USGS, Library of Congress, and other archives.
  • Access maps your way: View online, download high-res files, or order prints for personal or research use.

Start exploring old maps of Nelson Township to uncover forgotten places, hidden landmarks, and the deep history beneath your feet.

Nelson Township, IL maps

(18)
  1. 1930 Map of Woodsung
    1930 Map of Woodsung
    1930 Woodsung
    1930 Print · USGS
    Northern Illinois at the dawn of the 1930s shows a landscape of tight-knit farming townships linked by the Lincoln Highway. Genealogists and local historians can trace schoolhouse locations like Stone Sch and Gap Grove Sch, or locate family sites near the Prairieville Cem.
  4. 1946 Map of Sterling, 1969 Print
    1946 Map of Sterling, 1969 Print
    1946 Sterling
    1969 Print · USGS
    The Rock River corridor in the mid-1940s is captured here, showing the industrial heart of the region alongside its deep agricultural roots. Researchers can find dozens of country schools and cemeteries, including Buffalo Grove Sch, Zion Cem, and Oak Knoll Mem Park Cem.
  7. 1948 Map of Sterling
    1948 Map of Sterling
    1948 Sterling
    1948 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Sterling and Rock Falls are captured here during a time of robust rail and river activity. Genealogists can trace family roots through dozens of rural landmarks, including the Prairieville settlement, West Science Ridge Ch, and Hitt Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  10. 1958 Map of Aurora, 1969 Print
    1958 Map of Aurora, 1969 Print
    1958 Aurora
    1969 Print · USGS
    Northern 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
  13. 1961 Map of Aurora
    1961 Map of Aurora
    1961 Aurora
    1961 Print · USGS
    Northern 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.
  16. 1983 Map of Sterling, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Sterling, 1984 Print
    1983 Sterling
    1984 Print · USGS
    Sterling and Rock Falls are shown here at the Rock River in the early eighties, joined by a network of bridges and railroads. Researchers can trace neighborhood growth through local landmarks like Newman Central High Sch, the Indian Mounds Historic Site, and Oak Knoll Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  19. 1983 Map of Dixon West, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Dixon West, 1984 Print
    1983 Dixon West
    1984 Print · USGS
    Dixon and its western environs are shown in the early 1980s as the regional rail and river network continued to shape Lee County. Researchers can trace family sites at Nelson Cem and Rock Ridge Cem or follow the path of the Hennepin Canal.
  22. 1985 Map of Dixon
    1985 Map of Dixon
    1985 Dixon
    1985 Print · USGS
    North-central Illinois in the mid-eighties was a land of river cities and expansive prairies defined by rail lines and private airfields. Researchers can locate family landmarks like Oakwood Cem, the Sword Landing Strip, and Sauk Valley College while tracing the C & N W railroad.
    2 unique versions available
  25. 2012 Map of Sterling, 2012 Print
    2012 Map of Sterling, 2012 Print
    2012 Sterling
    2012 Print · USGS
    Covers Nelson Township, including Sterling, Rock Falls, and other nearby areas
  28. 2012 Map of Dixon West, 2012 Print
    2012 Map of Dixon West, 2012 Print
    2012 Dixon West
    2012 Print · USGS
    Covers Nelson Township, including Dixon, Palmyra, and other nearby areas
  31. 2015 Map of Dixon West, 2015 Print
    2015 Map of Dixon West, 2015 Print
    2015 Dixon West
    2015 Print · USGS
    Covers Nelson Township, including Dixon, Palmyra, and other nearby areas
  34. 2015 Map of Sterling, 2015 Print
    2015 Map of Sterling, 2015 Print
    2015 Sterling
    2015 Print · USGS
    Covers Nelson Township, including Sterling, Rock Falls, and other nearby areas
  37. 2018 Map of Dixon West, 2018 Print
    2018 Map of Dixon West, 2018 Print
    2018 Dixon West
    2018 Print · USGS
    Covers Nelson Township, including Dixon, Palmyra, and other nearby areas
  40. 2018 Map of Sterling, 2018 Print
    2018 Map of Sterling, 2018 Print
    2018 Sterling
    2018 Print · USGS
    Covers Nelson Township, including Sterling, Rock Falls, and other nearby areas
  43. 2021 Map of Dixon West, 2021 Print
    2021 Map of Dixon West, 2021 Print
    2021 Dixon West
    2021 Print · USGS
    Covers Nelson Township, including Dixon, Palmyra, and other nearby areas
  46. 2021 Map of Sterling, 2021 Print
    2021 Map of Sterling, 2021 Print
    2021 Sterling
    2021 Print · USGS
    Covers Nelson Township, including Sterling, Rock Falls, and other nearby areas
  49. 2024 Map of Dixon West, 2024 Print
    2024 Map of Dixon West, 2024 Print
    2024 Dixon West
    2024 Print · USGS
    The Rock River valley south of Dixon comes into focus in this contemporary survey of Lee County. Genealogists and local historians can trace the grounds of Palmyra Cem, the village of Nelson, and the campus of Sauk Valley Community College.
  52. 2024 Map of Sterling, 2024 Print
    2024 Map of Sterling, 2024 Print
    2024 Sterling
    2024 Print · USGS
    Sterling and Rock Falls straddle the Rock River in this recent survey of the Whiteside County industrial corridor. Genealogists and local historians can map out numerous burial grounds including Riverside Cem and Science Ridge Mennonite Cem, or trace the development of the Yeoward Addition.
End of results
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