1900s (20th Century) Maps of Des Moines, Iowa

1. 1905 Map of Des Moines, 1954 Print

   

   1905 Des Moines

   1954 Print · USGS

   Covers Des Moines, including West Des Moines, Ankeny, and other nearby areas

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4. 1907 Map of Des Moines

   

   1907 Des Moines

   1907 Print · USGS

   The capital city and its surrounding coal-and-rail towns are shown in detail at the start of the twentieth century. Genealogists can locate family homesteads near Fort Des Moines or trace ancestors in vanished settlements like Oralabor, Saylorville, and Valley Junction.

   3 unique versions available

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7. 1930 Map of Mitchellville

   

   1930 Mitchellville

   1930 Print · USGS

   Central Iowa's fertile prairie and river valleys come alive in this late 1920s survey of the settlements between the Skunk and Des Moines rivers. Researchers can locate dozens of country schools like Nebo Sch and Peacock Sch or trace family roots near Camp Center Ch.

   3 unique versions available

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10. 1931 Map of Indianola

    

    1931 Indianola

    1931 Print · USGS

    Warren County at the end of the 1920s reveals a landscape of thriving rail junctions and rural schoolhouses across central Iowa. Researchers can trace the path of the Chicago Great Western RR through Martensdale and locate local landmarks like Scotch Ridge Sch and the Orillia Mine.

    4 unique versions available

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13. 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

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16. 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.

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19. 1956 Map of Des Moines NW, 1958 Print

    

    1956 Des Moines NW

    1958 Print · USGS

    Northwest of Des Moines in the mid-fifties, the landscape was a mix of military training grounds and rapidly growing suburbs. Genealogists and historians can trace the footprint of Camp Dodge, find lost family plots like Kinsey Cem, and locate the early sites of Dodge Airport and Olmstead Sch.

    5 unique versions available

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22. 1956 Map of Des Moines SW, 1958 Print

    

    1956 Des Moines SW

    1958 Print · USGS

    Mid-century expansion across Polk County shows the growth of the state capital as suburban neighborhoods reached toward West Des Moines. Researchers can trace historic rail lines, old schools like Plainview Sch, and the layout of Drake University or Glendale Cemetery.

    4 unique versions available

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25. 1956 Map of Des Moines SE, 1958 Print

    

    1956 Des Moines SE

    1958 Print · USGS

    Mid-century Des Moines and its southeastern suburbs are captured here during a time of significant growth and transit expansion. Genealogists and historians can trace neighborhood landmarks like Fort Des Moines, the State Fairground, and numerous family-named cemeteries such as Oakwood Cem.

    4 unique versions available

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28. 1956 Map of Des Moines NE, 1958 Print

    

    1956 Des Moines NE

    1958 Print · USGS

    The northern Des Moines suburbs and the rail hubs of Polk County are captured here in the mid-fifties. Researchers can trace the original footprints of Ankeny and Oralabor, or locate rural landmarks like Greenwood Ch and Highland Memory Gardens.

    4 unique versions available

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31. 1956 Map of Des Moines, 1959 Print

    

    1956 Des Moines

    1959 Print · USGS

    The Des Moines metro area is captured in the mid-1950s, showing a landscape defined by rapid suburban growth and deep-rooted military and rail history. Trace the development of Urbandale and Windsor Heights alongside landmarks like Camp Dodge and the State Fairgrounds.

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34. 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.

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37. 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.

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40. 1972 Map of Altoona, 1974 Print

    

    1972 Altoona

    1974 Print · USGS

    Polk County enters a decade of modern growth and infrastructure expansion in the early seventies. Genealogists and local researchers can trace the rail lines of the Chicago and North Western or locate family plots at Altoona Cem and Franklin Cem.

    2 unique versions available

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43. 1972 Map of Scotch Ridge, 1974 Print

    

    1972 Scotch Ridge

    1974 Print · USGS

    Warren County terrain in the early seventies shows a landscape shaped by the Middle River and the regional rail network. Genealogists and local historians can locate the Laverty Cem, North River Ch, and the community of Summerset along the railroad line.

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46. 1972 Map of Rising Sun, 1974 Print

    

    1972 Rising Sun

    1974 Print · USGS

    Southeast of Des Moines in the early seventies, the river landscape around Carlisle and Rising Sun shows a blend of rural township life and growing suburban tracts. Researchers can trace the heritage of local families at Powers-Warren Cem and locate old rail corridors like the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.

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49. 1972 Map of Norwalk, 1975 Print

    

    1972 Norwalk

    1975 Print · USGS

    Norwalk and the northern Warren County countryside are shown here in the early 1970s as suburban growth began to meet rural farmland. Local researchers can trace family roots at Linn Grove Cemetery or locate old rail stops along the Chicago and North Western Railroad near Martensdale.

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52. 1984 Map of Indianola

    

    1984 Indianola

    1984 Print · USGS

    South-central Iowa in the mid-1980s reveals a patchwork of established rail hubs and significant new conservation areas. Trace the Chicago and North Western rail lines and explore rural landmarks like Lake Ahquabi State Park or the Strip Mine near Knoxville.

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55. 1984 Map of Des Moines, 1985 Print

    

    1984 Des Moines

    1985 Print · USGS

    Central Iowa's heartland is captured in the mid-1980s as suburban growth met long-standing farm and rail infrastructure. Genealogists and researchers can trace the reaches of the Chicago and North Western through Maxwell or locate Laurel Hill Cem and Camp Dodge Military Reservation.

    2 unique versions available

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