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1950s Maps of Iowa

Explore 138 historic maps of Iowa from the 1950s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1950s — 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 1950s, 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 1950s, 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 1950s. This is your window into the past.

Iowa maps

(138)
  1. 1950 Map of Milan
    1950 Map of Milan
    1950 Milan
    1950 Print · USGS
    The Tri-Cities area comes alive in the mid-century as industrial centers like Rock Island and Moline expand across the river islands. Researchers can locate dozens of local landmarks, from Chippiannock Cem to rural outposts like Tindall School No 1.
    2 unique versions available
  4. 1950 Map of Port Byron
    1950 Map of Port Byron
    1950 Port Byron
    1950 Print · USGS
    The Illinois-Iowa border along the Mississippi River thrives as a rail and river hub at the middle of the twentieth century. Local historians can trace family roots through numerous rural landmarks like Shake-Rag Sch, St Johns Cem, and Rapids City.
  7. 1950 Map of Wayland
    1950 Map of Wayland
    1950 Wayland
    1950 Print · USGS
    The river border between Missouri and Iowa comes alive in the late 1940s, showing a landscape of rail-connected farming towns and river crossings. Genealogists can trace family footprints at St Francisville, Wayland, and rural landmarks like Oak Hill Cem or Independent Sch.
  10. 1950 Map of Keokuk, 1954 Print
    1950 Map of Keokuk, 1954 Print
    1950 Keokuk
    1954 Print · USGS
    The Mississippi River borderlands of Iowa and Illinois come alive in the mid-century as the Keokuk Dam reshapes the valley. Genealogists can trace a remarkable concentration of local landmarks, from Moss Cem to numerous rural schoolhouses like Rocky Run Sch and Eureka Sch.
  13. 1950 Map of Perry, 1968 Print
    1950 Map of Perry, 1968 Print
    1950 Perry
    1968 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Dallas and Boone Counties are captured here at a peak of rural development, showing a landscape defined by prairie agriculture and heavy rail. Genealogists can trace family footprints across dozens of country schools like Garfield Sch and churches including Swede Valley Ch.
  16. 1950 Map of New Virginia, 1978 Print
    1950 Map of New Virginia, 1978 Print
    1950 New Virginia
    1978 Print · USGS
    The rural borders of Warren and Clarke counties come into focus at mid-century, showing a landscape of small settlements and neighborhood schoolhouses. Genealogists can trace family roots through numerous sites like Mt Tabor Cem, Ottawa Sch, and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy rail line.
  19. 1951 Map of Perry
    1951 Map of Perry
    1951 Perry
    1951 Print · USGS
    Mid-century central Iowa comes into focus in this detailed study of the rail and river corridors surrounding Perry. Genealogists and historians can trace the locations of dozens of country schools and cemeteries, from Prairie View Sch to the Violet Hill Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1951 Map of Ogden
    1951 Map of Ogden
    1951 Ogden
    1951 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa's farming heartland is captured here in the early fifties, showing a landscape defined by the intersection of the Chicago North Western and the Fort Dodge Des Moines and Southern. Researchers can trace vanished rural schoolhouses like Kelly Sch and the family history tied to Union Cem or Boxholm.
    3 unique versions available
  25. 1951 Map of Adel
    1951 Map of Adel
    1951 Adel
    1951 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Dallas County is defined by the convergence of the three Raccoon River forks and a robust network of rural rail towns. Genealogists can trace family roots at Oakland Cem or Pleasant Hill Cem and locate historic rural schools like Bear Creek Sch.
    2 unique versions available
  28. 1951 Map of Osceola, 1953 Print
    1951 Map of Osceola, 1953 Print
    1951 Osceola
    1953 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa's rural townships are captured here in the early fifties, showing the rail-centered growth of OSCEOLA and Murray. Researchers can trace the layout of numerous vanished country schoolhouses like Prairie Grove Sch and old burial sites such as Ebenezer Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  31. 1951 Map of St. Charles, 1953 Print
    1951 Map of St. Charles, 1953 Print
    1951 St. Charles
    1953 Print · USGS
    Madison and Warren counties are seen here in the early 1950s, when a dense network of rail lines and country schools still knit these rural townships together. Genealogists and local historians can trace family locations near landmarks like Imes Bridge, St Charles Cem, and Blair Chapel.
    2 unique versions available
  34. 1951 Map of Afton, 1953 Print
    1951 Map of Afton, 1953 Print
    1951 Afton
    1953 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa's rural landscape is captured here in the early fifties, showing a region defined by its rail-and-river economy and dense network of country schools. Researchers can trace family history through dozens of landmarks like Mt Pisgah Cem, Macksburg, and Green Lawn Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  37. 1952 Map of New Virginia
    1952 Map of New Virginia
    1952 New Virginia
    1952 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa rural life in the early fifties is mapped here in fine detail across the border of Warren and Clarke counties. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Mt Tabor Cem, Ottawa, and numerous local schoolhouses including Quiet Dell Sch and Cool School.
    2 unique versions available
  40. 1952 Map of Clinton, 1953 Print
    1952 Map of Clinton, 1953 Print
    1952 Clinton
    1953 Print · USGS
    The Illinois-Iowa border along the Mississippi River is captured here in the early fifties, showing a landscape defined by industrial rail lines and wildlife refuges. Trace family roots through specific rural landmarks like York Ch, Cottonwood Sch, and Calvary Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  43. 1952 Map of Cordova, 1953 Print
    1952 Map of Cordova, 1953 Print
    1952 Cordova
    1953 Print · USGS
    Rock Island County shoreline life is captured here in the early fifties, following the river as it winds past developing river towns. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like Williams Sch, Fairfield Ch, and the Baker Cem.
  46. 1952 Map of Panora, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Panora, 1954 Print
    1952 Panora
    1954 Print · USGS
    Guthrie County and parts of Adair and Dallas counties are shown here in the early 1950s as a thriving rail and river corridor. Genealogists can trace family roots through several rural churches and schools like Victory Union Church, Pioneer Sch, and Rosehill Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  49. 1952 Map of Winterset, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Winterset, 1954 Print
    1952 Winterset
    1954 Print · USGS
    The heart of Madison County comes alive in the early fifties, showcasing the intricate network of country schools and churches surrounding Winterset. Genealogists can trace family names through Gordon Cem and locate the historic Harmon Tunnel near Pammel State Park.
    2 unique versions available
  52. 1952 Map of Savanna, 1954 Print
    1952 Map of Savanna, 1954 Print
    1952 Savanna
    1954 Print · USGS
    The Mississippi River bluffs and rail corridors define this Illinois riverfront during the early fifties. Genealogists and historians can trace numerous rural schoolhouses and family-named cemeteries like Massbach Cem, Palsgrove, and the sprawling Savanna Ordnance Depot.
    3 unique versions available
  55. 1953 Map of Silvis, 1956 Print
    1953 Map of Silvis, 1956 Print
    1953 Silvis
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Quad Cities area flourished in the early fifties as an industrial powerhouse along the Mississippi River. Genealogists and historians can trace the footprint of the East Moline State Hospital, several rural schools like Barr School, and the grounds of Fairview Cemetery.
    3 unique versions available
  58. 1953 Map of Wilton Junction, 1956 Print
    1953 Map of Wilton Junction, 1956 Print
    1953 Wilton Junction
    1956 Print · USGS
    Wilton and Moscow thrived along the rail lines and riverbanks of eastern Iowa during the mid-fifties. Genealogists and historians can trace the locations of numerous rural institutions, from Oakdale Cemetery and Peace Church to Champion Hill School and the local Moscow Airport.
    2 unique versions available
  61. 1953 Map of Davenport East, 1956 Print
    1953 Map of Davenport East, 1956 Print
    1953 Davenport East
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Quad Cities are captured at a peak of mid-century growth, following the path of the Mississippi River and the bustling Rock Island Arsenal. Local historians can trace family roots at St Ambrose College or locate the former aviation hub at Cram Field.
    3 unique versions available
  64. 1953 Map of Blackhawk, 1956 Print
    1953 Map of Blackhawk, 1956 Print
    1953 Blackhawk
    1956 Print · USGS
    The river bluffs and backwaters of the Mississippi River come to life in this mid-century survey of the Illinois and Iowa borderlands. Researchers can trace the river's industrial and social pulse through sites like Arnolds Landing, St Mathews Ch, and the winding Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific rail lines.
    3 unique versions available
  67. 1953 Map of Milan, 1956 Print
    1953 Map of Milan, 1956 Print
    1953 Milan
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Quad Cities area in the early fifties shows a landscape of river-driven industry and rapid post-war growth. Genealogists can trace family roots through numerous named schools and cemeteries like Chippiannock Cemetery and the rural Pleasant Hill Cem.
    3 unique versions available
  70. 1953 Map of Green Island, 1956 Print
    1953 Map of Green Island, 1956 Print
    1953 Green Island
    1956 Print · USGS
    The Mississippi River backwaters and the Savanna Ordnance Depot define this mid-century borderland between Iowa and Illinois. Genealogists and researchers can trace rural life through the Lost Mound Cem, Grand View Sch, and the rail stop at Whitton.
    3 unique versions available
  73. 1953 Map of Port Byron, 1957 Print
    1953 Map of Port Byron, 1957 Print
    1953 Port Byron
    1957 Print · USGS
    The Mississippi and Rock Rivers converge in the 1950s, defining a landscape of active rail lines and riverfront towns. Researchers can trace historic family burial sites and rural schoolhouses like Yost Cemetery, Friedens Church, and Sycamore School.
    3 unique versions available
Showing maps 1-25 of 138

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Frequently asked questions

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