Join Free

1940s Maps of Iowa

Explore 34 historic maps of Iowa from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — 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 1940s, 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 1940s, 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 1940s. This is your window into the past.

Iowa maps

(34)
  1. 1940 Map of Farragut
    1940 Map of Farragut
    1940 Farragut
    1940 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri state line serves as the anchor for this 1939 survey of Atchison, Fremont, and Page counties. Genealogists and local historians can trace the positions of vanished schoolhouses like Yale Sch and Emporia Sch, or locate family sites near Farmers City and Westboro.
  4. 1940 Map of Nehawka
    1940 Map of Nehawka
    1940 Nehawka
    1940 Print · USGS
    The Missouri River valley comes to life in this pre-war survey of Cass County and the Iowa border. Genealogists can locate family names at Youngs Cem or trace dozens of rural school sites like Cottonwood Sch and Eightmile Grove Sch.
    3 unique versions available
  7. 1940 Map of Oquawka
    1940 Map of Oquawka
    1940 Oquawka
    1940 Print · USGS
    Henderson County's river-and-rail economy is captured here during the 1930s as the Mississippi River environment meets an expanding network of rural towns. Genealogists and historians can trace dozens of country schoolhouses and cemeteries, from the Little Brick Sch to South Henderson Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  10. 1940 Map of Burlington
    1940 Map of Burlington
    1940 Burlington
    1940 Print · USGS
    The Mississippi River floodplain comes alive in the mid-1930s, showing the intricate network of sloughs and rail lines between Illinois and Iowa. Genealogists and historians can locate rural landmarks like Merry Dell Sch, trace the Chicago Burlington and Quincy tracks, or explore the riverfront at Gulfport.
    3 unique versions available
  13. 1940 Map of East Dubuque
    1940 Map of East Dubuque
    1940 East Dubuque
    1940 Print · USGS
    The Mississippi River borderlands of Jo Daviess County appear here in the mid-1930s, showing the vital rail and river connections at East Dubuque. Genealogists and local historians can trace rural school districts like Sand Ridge Sch or the riverside community of Menominee Sta.
    3 unique versions available
  16. 1940 Map of Blockton, 1954 Print
    1940 Map of Blockton, 1954 Print
    1940 Blockton
    1954 Print · USGS
    Life along the Iowa and Missouri border in the early 1940s was centered on small rural school districts and family farms. Researchers can trace the exact locations of vanished community hubs like Irena, Jackson Ch, and Victory Sch before the consolidation of rural landmarks.
    2 unique versions available
  19. 1940 Map of Bedford, 1954 Print
    1940 Map of Bedford, 1954 Print
    1940 Bedford
    1954 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands come alive in this mid-century survey of Taylor, Worth, and Nodaway counties. Researchers can trace the Chicago Great Western rail line and locate vanished rural hubs like Luteston Sch and Isadora.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1940 Map of Coin, 1954 Print
    1940 Map of Coin, 1954 Print
    1940 Coin
    1954 Print · USGS
    The borderlands of Iowa and Missouri come to life in this mid-century survey, showcasing the tight-knit farming communities across Page and Nodaway counties. Researchers can locate vanished rural landmarks like North Grove Sch and Six Corners Cem along the Wabash rail line.
    2 unique versions available
  25. 1940 Map of New Market, 1954 Print
    1940 Map of New Market, 1954 Print
    1940 New Market
    1954 Print · USGS
    The borderlands of Iowa and Missouri come into focus during the early 1940s, centered on the rail-and-river hub of Hopkins. Genealogists can trace a wealth of rural landmarks including Burch Cem, Prairie Star Sch, and Good Hope Ch.
  28. 1941 Map of Miles
    1941 Map of Miles
    1941 Miles
    1941 Print · USGS
    The Mississippi River borderlands come alive in this pre-war survey, documenting the small settlements and rail lines that defined the Jo Daviess and Carroll County line. Researchers can trace the river's complex island system or find local landmarks like Whitton, Lost Mound, and the Lost Mound Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  31. 1941 Map of Hamburg
    1941 Map of Hamburg
    1941 Hamburg
    1941 Print · USGS
    The Missouri-Iowa borderlands come alive in this pre-war survey of the river's winding oxbows and rural townships. Genealogists can trace family roots through a dense network of country schools and churches, from Mayflower Sch to the Stoner Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  34. 1941 Map of Centerville
    1941 Map of Centerville
    1941 Centerville
    1941 Print · USGS
    Appanoose County stands at a peak of rural development in the late thirties, where a dense network of railroads connects bustling border towns. Genealogists can trace family roots through numerous one-room schoolhouses like Cornbread College Sch and landmarks such as Livengod Cem.
  37. 1941 Map of Keithsburg
    1941 Map of Keithsburg
    1941 Keithsburg
    1941 Print · USGS
    The Mississippi River front in Mercer County thrived during the early 1940s as a hub of rail and river commerce. Genealogists can trace family footprints through dozens of rural landmarks, from Peniel Ch to schoolhouses like Prouty Sch and Lee Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  40. 1942 Map of Mystic
    1942 Map of Mystic
    1942 Mystic
    1942 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa coal and rail communities are mapped here just before the mid-century, showing a landscape tied to the Chariton River. Researchers can trace rural school districts like Hedge College Sch and vanished mining-era stops including Brazil and Rathbun.
  43. 1942 Map of Seymour, 1954 Print
    1942 Map of Seymour, 1954 Print
    1942 Seymour
    1954 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa and the Missouri borderlands are captured here just as the rural schoolhouse era reached its peak. Genealogists can trace family roots through dozens of local landmarks like Genoa Cem, Locust Valley Mine, and the Kniffin Sch.
  46. 1943 Map of Bedford
    1943 Map of Bedford
    1943 Bedford
    1943 Print · USGS
    The borderlands of Iowa and Missouri are captured here in the early 1940s, showing a landscape defined by small-town life and the railroad. Genealogists can trace family footprints through numerous rural landmarks like New Hope Cem, Star of the West Ch, and the Platte Dell Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  49. 1943 Map of Coin
    1943 Map of Coin
    1943 Coin
    1943 Print · USGS
    The rural borderlands of Iowa and Missouri were still defined by a dense network of country schools and rail lines in the early 1940s. Researchers can trace the exact locations of vanished rural anchors like White Chapel, Six Corners, and the High Prairie Cemetery.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1943 Map of New Market
    1943 Map of New Market
    1943 New Market
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri border was a landscape of river-valley agriculture and scattered rural schoolhouses in the early 1940s. Genealogists can trace family footprints through sites like Washburn Cem or schools such as Independence Sch and Hazel Dell Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  55. 1943 Map of Blockton
    1943 Map of Blockton
    1943 Blockton
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands are captured here in the early 1940s, showing a landscape of small townships and rural school districts. Genealogists can locate specific local landmarks such as Lone Star Sch, Irena, and the Middle Fork Lotts Creek.
    3 unique versions available
  58. 1944 Map of Seymour
    1944 Map of Seymour
    1944 Seymour
    1944 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa and northern Missouri are captured here in the early 1940s, showing a landscape defined by crossing rail lines and small-town junctions. Genealogists can locate numerous country schools and burial sites like Genoa Cem, Schultz Cem, and Happy Hollow Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  61. 1944 Map of Milan, 1958 Print
    1944 Map of Milan, 1958 Print
    1944 Milan
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Illinois-Iowa border comes alive in the 1940s, highlighting the industrial riverfronts and the rural interior of Rock Island and Mercer Counties. Trace family roots and local industry at the Coal Valley Mine, the US Arsenal, or the vanished schoolhouses like Doxie School.
  64. 1945 Map of Mount Ayr, 1954 Print
    1945 Map of Mount Ayr, 1954 Print
    1945 Mount Ayr
    1954 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands come into focus at the end of the war, showing a landscape of small townships and family farms. Genealogists can trace local roots through landmarks like Petry Cem, Friendship Ch, and the many rural schools including Lone Rock Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  67. 1945 Map of Lamoni, 1957 Print
    1945 Map of Lamoni, 1957 Print
    1945 Lamoni
    1957 Print · USGS
    The Iowa and Missouri borderlands come to life in this mid-century survey of the rural corridor between Harrison and Decatur counties. Researchers can trace the tracks of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad and find local landmarks like Andover, Riverview Ch, and Akron Cem.
  70. 1946 Map of Wapello, 1954 Print
    1946 Map of Wapello, 1954 Print
    1946 Wapello
    1954 Print · USGS
    The riverfront town of New Boston and the surrounding islands are captured in the mid-1940s as the Mississippi River meets the Iowa River. Researchers can trace the era's local rural life at Swan Lake Sch, Pin Oak Sch, and the engineering at Lock and Dam No 17.
    2 unique versions available
  73. 1947 Map of Lamoni
    1947 Map of Lamoni
    1947 Lamoni
    1947 Print · USGS
    The rural borderlands of Iowa and Missouri are captured here just after the war, showing a dense network of country schools and churches. Genealogists can trace family roots through landmarks like Andover Cem, Lone Star Sch, and the Riverview Ch along the Thompson River.
    2 unique versions available
Showing maps 1-25 of 34

Top cities of Iowa

See more

Top counties of Iowa

See more

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Iowa?
  • What is the oldest map of Iowa?
  • Where can I purchase historical maps of Iowa for my home or office?
  • 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?