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1880s Maps of Iowa

Explore 8 historic maps of Iowa from the 1880s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1880s — 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 Iowa's landscape evolved across the 1880s, 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 1880s, 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 Iowa's history through authentic maps from the 1880s. This is your window into the past.

Iowa maps

(8)
  1. 1887 Map of Cedar Rapids
    1887 Map of Cedar Rapids
    1887 Cedar Rapids
    1887 Print · USGS
    Linn and Johnson Counties come alive in this late 19th-century study of the river valleys and rail lines connecting Cedar Rapids to the surrounding prairie. Genealogists can trace old property lines across Jefferson and Big Grove or locate early settlements like Ely and Shueyville.
  4. 1888 Map of Shellsburg
    1888 Map of Shellsburg
    1888 Shellsburg
    1888 Print · USGS
    Benton and Linn Counties come alive in this late nineteenth-century survey of the eastern Iowa heartland. Local historians can trace the early rail-side growth of Shellsburg and Palo or follow the winding Cedar River past Opossum Creek and Urbana.
  7. 1888 Map of Marion
    1888 Map of Marion
    1888 Marion
    1888 Print · USGS
    Linn County thrives as a late 19th-century rail center where major lines intersect at the growing town of Marion. Genealogists and historians can trace the early township divisions and steam-era routes like the Illinois Central Railroad and Central City.
  10. 1888 Map of Amana
    1888 Map of Amana
    1888 Amana
    1888 Print · USGS
    The Amana Colonies and the Iowa River valley are shown here in the late 1880s, during a period of communal prosperity and rail expansion. Genealogists can trace the specific villages of Hohe Amana, Middle Amana, and Homestead alongside three major railroads.
  13. 1889 Map of Tipton
    1889 Map of Tipton
    1889 Tipton
    1889 Print · USGS
    Cedar County at the close of the nineteenth century was a landscape shaped by two major rail lines. Genealogists and local historians can trace the early town plats of Tipton, Mechanicsville, and Stanwood, alongside landmarks like Sugar Creek and the Chicago and North-Western Railroad.
  16. 1889 Map of Marion
    1889 Map of Marion
    1889 Marion
    1889 Print · USGS
    Marion and the surrounding townships in the 1880s show a landscape transformed by the iron horse and river trade. Genealogists can trace the early rail-connected footprints of Marion, Central City, and Toddville along the Illinois Central Railroad.
    3 unique versions available
  19. 1889 Map of Amana
    1889 Map of Amana
    1889 Amana
    1889 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa at the close of the nineteenth century reveals the unique communal settlement of the Amana colonies along the Iowa River. Trace early village footprints from Hohe Amana to Homestead and the rail corridors of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1889 Map of Shellsburg
    1889 Map of Shellsburg
    1889 Shellsburg
    1889 Print · USGS
    Benton and Linn Counties come alive in the late 1880s as the rail-driven economy begins to reshape the Iowa prairie. Researchers can trace the early development of Shellsburg and Center Point along the Burlington Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad.
End of results
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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Iowa?
  • What is the oldest map of Iowa?
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  • Where can I download high-res historical maps of Iowa?
  • Are there historical topographic maps available for Iowa?
  • Is there historical aerial imagery available for Iowa?
  • Where are historical maps of Iowa sourced from?