Old Maps of Sterling, Illinois for Metal Detecting
Plan your next treasure hunt with 20 historic maps of Sterling. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.
- Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
- Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
- Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.
Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of Sterling.
Sterling, IL maps
(20)- 1930 Map of Woodsung1930 Woodsung1930 Print · USGSNorthern 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.
- 1934 Map of Morrison1934 Morrison1934 Print · USGSWhiteside 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
- 1940 Map of Morrison1940 Morrison1940 Print · USGSWhiteside 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
- 1946 Map of Sterling, 1969 Print1946 Sterling1969 Print · USGSThe 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.
- 1948 Map of Sterling1948 Sterling1948 Print · USGSMid-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
- 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
- 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.
- 1983 Map of Sterling, 1984 Print1983 Sterling1984 Print · USGSSterling 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
- 1985 Map of Dixon1985 Dixon1985 Print · USGSNorth-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
- 1985 Map of Como, 1986 Print1985 Como1986 Print · USGSWhiteside 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.
- 2012 Map of Como, 2012 Print2012 Como2012 Print · USGSCovers Sterling, including Agnew, Como, and other nearby areas
- 2012 Map of Sterling, 2012 Print2012 Sterling2012 Print · USGSCovers Sterling, including Rock Falls, Harmon Township, and other nearby areas
- 2015 Map of Como, 2015 Print2015 Como2015 Print · USGSCovers Sterling, including Agnew, Como, and other nearby areas
- 2015 Map of Sterling, 2015 Print2015 Sterling2015 Print · USGSCovers Sterling, including Rock Falls, Harmon Township, and other nearby areas
- 2018 Map of Sterling, 2018 Print2018 Sterling2018 Print · USGSCovers Sterling, including Rock Falls, Harmon Township, and other nearby areas
- 2018 Map of Como, 2018 Print2018 Como2018 Print · USGSCovers Sterling, including Agnew, Como, and other nearby areas
- 2021 Map of Como, 2021 Print2021 Como2021 Print · USGSCovers Sterling, including Agnew, Como, and other nearby areas
- 2021 Map of Sterling, 2021 Print2021 Sterling2021 Print · USGSCovers Sterling, including Rock Falls, Harmon Township, and other nearby areas
- 2024 Map of Sterling, 2024 Print2024 Sterling2024 Print · USGSSterling 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.
- 2024 Map of Como, 2024 Print2024 Como2024 Print · USGSWhiteside 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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