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1950s Maps of Des Moines, Iowa

Explore 8 historic maps of Des Moines 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 Des Moines'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 Des Moines's history through authentic maps from the 1950s. This is your window into the past.

Des Moines, IA maps

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  1. 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
  4. 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.
  7. 1956 Map of Des Moines NW, 1958 Print
    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
  10. 1956 Map of Des Moines SW, 1958 Print
    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
  13. 1956 Map of Des Moines SE, 1958 Print
    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
  16. 1956 Map of Des Moines NE, 1958 Print
    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
  19. 1956 Map of Des Moines, 1959 Print
    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.
  22. 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.
End of results
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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Des Moines?
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