Old Maps of Monroe County, Iowa

Explore 89 old maps of Monroe County, spanning from 1924 to today. These high-resolution historic maps reveal how streets, neighborhoods, landmarks, and natural features evolved over time — perfect for genealogy, metal detecting, research, and local history exploration.

What you can do with these maps:

  • See how Monroe County changed over time: Compare historical maps to modern-day views to trace roads, homesites, rail lines & more.
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  • Trusted historical sources: Maps sourced from the USGS, Library of Congress, and other archives.
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Start exploring old maps of Monroe County to uncover forgotten places, hidden landmarks, and the deep history beneath your feet.


Monroe County, IA maps

(89)
  1. 1924 Map of Melcher
    1924 Map of Melcher
    1924 Melcher
    1924 Print · USGS
    South-central Iowa thrives during the 1920s coal boom, where rail lines and mine shafts transformed the rural landscape. Trace the growth of mining towns like Tipperary and Bucknell, and locate vanished local schools such as Coal Glen School.
    3 unique versions available

  2. 1929 Map of Albia
    1929 Map of Albia
    1929 Albia
    1929 Print · USGS
    Monroe County was a bustling coal and rail corridor during the late twenties, anchored by the junction at Albia. Genealogists and historians can trace defunct mining camps like Hiteman and dozens of rural school sites such as Halfway Prairie Sch.
    3 unique versions available

  3. 1935 Map of Russell, 1958 Print
    1935 Map of Russell, 1958 Print
    1935 Russell
    1958 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa in the mid-thirties was a landscape of river-valley farms and rail-connected towns like Russell and Melrose. Researchers can trace old township school locations such as Brush College Sch and Rabbit Hill Sch or locate the New York Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  4. 1938 Map of Russell
    1938 Map of Russell
    1938 Russell
    1938 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa's rural school and rail network are preserved here during the mid-1930s. Genealogists can trace family footprints across dozens of local landmarks like Hilledgeville Cem, Rabbit Hill Sch, and the settlement of Confidence.
    2 unique versions available

  5. 1939 Map of Mystic, 1966 Print
    1939 Map of Mystic, 1966 Print
    1939 Mystic
    1966 Print · USGS
    Appanoose County in the late thirties is a landscape of thriving rural townships and busy rail junctions. Genealogists and historians can trace family roots through numerous country schools like Buffalo Wallow Sch and churches such as Wesley Chapel.

  6. 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.

  7. 1954 Map of Centerville, 1967 Print
    1954 Map of Centerville, 1967 Print
    1954 Centerville
    1967 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands at mid-century reveal a landscape shaped by river valleys and the height of the regional rail network. Genealogists and historians can trace the paths of the Wabash railroad and locate old townsites like Mystic, Moulton, and Greentop.
    3 unique versions available

  8. 1954 Map of Des Moines, 1973 Print
    1954 Map of Des Moines, 1973 Print
    1954 Des Moines
    1973 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa's evolving landscape is captured here in the early seventies, just as major reservoirs were reshaping the river valleys. Genealogists and historians can trace the rail corridors of the Burlington Northern or locate family roots near Pella, Indianola, and Knoxville.
    2 unique versions available

  9. 1956 Map of Des Moines
    1956 Map of Des Moines
    1956 Des Moines
    1956 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa in the mid-fifties shows a landscape defined by bustling rail hubs and deep-rooted agricultural research. Genealogists and researchers can trace the growth of Des Moines and Ames, locate the Sac and Fox Indian Reservation, or study the paths of the Skunk River and South Skunk River.

  10. 1957 Map of Des Moines
    1957 Map of Des Moines
    1957 Des Moines
    1957 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa's post-war landscape is defined here by the converging rail lines and river valleys that shaped its earliest settlements. Genealogists and historians can trace the paths of the Rock Island Railroad and locate community landmarks in Des Moines, Ames, and Newton.

  11. 1957 Map of Centerville
    1957 Map of Centerville
    1957 Centerville
    1957 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands in the mid-fifties reveal a landscape of river-valley agriculture and vital rail corridors. Genealogists and historians can trace family-named landmarks and small-town growth in Centerville, Kirksville, and along the Wabash railroad line.

  12. 1958 Map of Centerville
    1958 Map of Centerville
    1958 Centerville
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands come into focus during the mid-fifties, showing a landscape defined by river valleys and intersecting rail lines. Genealogists and local historians can trace family roots through dozens of rural hubs like Bloomfield, Unionville, and Corydon.

  13. 1968 Map of Eddyville, 1971 Print
    1968 Map of Eddyville, 1971 Print
    1968 Eddyville
    1971 Print · USGS
    The Des Moines River valley in the late sixties reveals a landscape shaped by coal mining and heavy rail. Genealogists and researchers can trace local history through the streets of Eddyville, several rural cemeteries like Henness Cem, and the path of the Pacific railroad.

  14. 1968 Map of Blakesburg, 1971 Print
    1968 Map of Blakesburg, 1971 Print
    1968 Blakesburg
    1971 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa farm country and the town of Blakesburg appear here in the late sixties at a rare juncture of four counties. Genealogists can trace family names through rural landmarks like Eslinger Cem, Trussell Cem, and the Union Chapel school and church area.
    2 unique versions available

  15. 1968 Map of Avery, 1971 Print
    1968 Map of Avery, 1971 Print
    1968 Avery
    1971 Print · USGS
    Monroe and Wapello counties are shown in the late sixties during a period of active coal extraction and rail transit. Genealogists can trace family names at Hayden Chapel or East Bethel Cemetery and locate vanished stops along the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad.
    2 unique versions available

  16. 1969 Map of Des Moines
    1969 Map of Des Moines
    1969 Des Moines
    1969 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa's fertile plains and growing capital are captured here during the late sixties, a time of major highway expansion and reservoir construction. Genealogists and researchers can trace rural township boundaries, local cemeteries, and rail lines serving towns like Pella, Grinnell, and Oskaloosa.

  17. 1981 Map of Centerville, 1982 Print
    1981 Map of Centerville, 1982 Print
    1981 Centerville
    1982 Print · USGS
    The borderlands of southern Iowa and northern Missouri are captured here in the early eighties as Rathbun Lake and the Chariton River define the local geography. Researchers can trace historic rail lines like the Norfolk and Western and locate vanished hamlets such as Coal City and Glenwood Junction.

  18. 1981 Map of Leon, 1982 Print
    1981 Map of Leon, 1982 Print
    1981 Leon
    1982 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa and northern Missouri are captured here in the early eighties as the rural landscape balances traditional agriculture with large-scale water management. Researchers can trace the path of the Burlington Northern through Leon or locate early settlements like Decatur City and New Buda.

  19. 1982 Map of Oskaloosa
    1982 Map of Oskaloosa
    1982 Oskaloosa
    1982 Print · USGS
    Southeast Iowa's river valleys and rail hubs are meticulously detailed in the early eighties, showing a landscape of productive farmland and growing municipal centers. Researchers can trace the legacy of small-town life and local industry through features like Union Mills, What Cheer, and the extensive Burlington Northern rail network.

  20. 1982 Map of Hiteman
    1982 Map of Hiteman
    1982 Hiteman
    1982 Print · USGS
    Monroe County's coal and rail heritage is visible in the early 1980s, showcasing the intricate drainage of Cedar Creek. Genealogists can locate family landmarks like St Patricks Cem and Babb Cem or trace the Old Railroad Grade.

  21. 1982 Map of Weller, 1983 Print
    1982 Map of Weller, 1983 Print
    1982 Weller
    1983 Print · USGS
    Monroe and Lucas Counties in the early eighties were defined by dense forests and a legacy of early coal and rail industry. Genealogists can locate several family burial sites like Allen Cem and Prather Cem or trace the Old Railroad Grade to the Bucknell Ruins.

  22. 1982 Map of Buxton, 1983 Print
    1982 Map of Buxton, 1983 Print
    1982 Buxton
    1983 Print · USGS
    Mahaska and Monroe counties are seen here in the early 1980s, where the legacy of Iowa coal mining is etched across the terrain. Researchers can locate the site of Buxton, trace an Old Railroad Grade, or find family names at Weldon Cem and Union Liberty Ch.

  23. 1982 Map of Lovilia, 1983 Print
    1982 Map of Lovilia, 1983 Print
    1982 Lovilia
    1983 Print · USGS
    The Marion and Monroe county border was defined by heavy industry and small-town life in the early eighties. Genealogists can trace family burial sites at Woodlawn Cem and Greenlawn Cem while exploring the impact of Strip Mines on Lovilia and Bussey.

  24. 1982 Map of Iconium, 1983 Print
    1982 Map of Iconium, 1983 Print
    1982 Iconium
    1983 Print · USGS
    Monroe and Appanoose Counties are shown here in the early eighties as the landscape adapted to the presence of the Rathbun Lake reservoir. Researchers can trace rural lineages through numerous local burial grounds like Salem Cem and Welch Cem or locate the village of Iconium.

  25. 1982 Map of Albia, 1983 Print
    1982 Map of Albia, 1983 Print
    1982 Albia
    1983 Print · USGS
    Monroe County was a bustling rail hub in the early eighties, where three major lines converged around the town of Albia. Genealogists and historians can trace local family roots at Oak View Cem, St Marys Cem, and Service Chapel Cem.

Showing maps 1-25 of 89

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