Old Maps of Sterling, Illinois for Academic Research

Study the evolution of Sterling with 20 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 Sterling has changed over the decades.


Sterling, IL maps

(20)
  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.

  2. 1934 Map of Morrison
    1934 Map of Morrison
    1934 Morrison
    1934 Print · USGS
    Whiteside County is seen here in the 1930s as a thriving agricultural landscape defined by the Chicago and Northwestern rail line. Researchers can trace rural school districts and family cemeteries such as Union Grove Cemetery, Coleta, and Milledgeville.
    2 unique versions available

  3. 1940 Map of Morrison
    1940 Map of Morrison
    1940 Morrison
    1940 Print · USGS
    Whiteside and Carroll counties thrive as a robust agricultural landscape during the late 1930s, defined by the twin engines of the Rock River and major rail lines. Genealogists can locate dozens of country schools like Ideal Sch and old cemeteries including Clyde Cem and Bethel Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  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.

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 1985 Map of Como, 1986 Print
    1985 Map of Como, 1986 Print
    1985 Como
    1986 Print · USGS
    Whiteside County is captured here in the mid-1980s, defined by the winding Rock River and a busy rail corridor. Researchers can trace the layout of Como, identify the Chicago and North Western tracks, and locate the Quarry near Emerson.

  11. 2012 Map of Como, 2012 Print
    2012 Map of Como, 2012 Print
    2012 Como
    2012 Print · USGS
    Covers Sterling, including Agnew, Como, and other nearby areas

  12. 2012 Map of Sterling, 2012 Print
    2012 Map of Sterling, 2012 Print
    2012 Sterling
    2012 Print · USGS
    Covers Sterling, including Rock Falls, Harmon Township, and other nearby areas

  13. 2015 Map of Como, 2015 Print
    2015 Map of Como, 2015 Print
    2015 Como
    2015 Print · USGS
    Covers Sterling, including Agnew, Como, and other nearby areas

  14. 2015 Map of Sterling, 2015 Print
    2015 Map of Sterling, 2015 Print
    2015 Sterling
    2015 Print · USGS
    Covers Sterling, including Rock Falls, Harmon Township, and other nearby areas

  15. 2018 Map of Sterling, 2018 Print
    2018 Map of Sterling, 2018 Print
    2018 Sterling
    2018 Print · USGS
    Covers Sterling, including Rock Falls, Harmon Township, and other nearby areas

  16. 2018 Map of Como, 2018 Print
    2018 Map of Como, 2018 Print
    2018 Como
    2018 Print · USGS
    Covers Sterling, including Agnew, Como, and other nearby areas

  17. 2021 Map of Como, 2021 Print
    2021 Map of Como, 2021 Print
    2021 Como
    2021 Print · USGS
    Covers Sterling, including Agnew, Como, and other nearby areas

  18. 2021 Map of Sterling, 2021 Print
    2021 Map of Sterling, 2021 Print
    2021 Sterling
    2021 Print · USGS
    Covers Sterling, including Rock Falls, Harmon Township, and other nearby areas

  19. 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.

  20. 2024 Map of Como, 2024 Print
    2024 Map of Como, 2024 Print
    2024 Como
    2024 Print · USGS
    Whiteside County's rural landscape and the winding Rock River are documented here in recent detail. Researchers can locate several historic burial sites like Como Cem and trace the small settlements of Galt, Agnew, and Emerson along the local rail and road corridors.

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Sterling?
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