Old Maps of Des Moines, Iowa for Academic Research
Study the evolution of Des Moines with 27 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.
- Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
- Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
- Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.
These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how Des Moines has changed over the decades.
Des Moines, IA maps
(27)- 1905 Map of Des Moines, 1954 Print
1905 Des Moines1954 Print · USGSCovers Des Moines, including West Des Moines, Ankeny, and other nearby areas - 1907 Map of Des Moines
1907 Des Moines1907 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1930 Map of Mitchellville
1930 Mitchellville1930 Print · USGSCentral 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 - 1931 Map of Indianola
1931 Indianola1931 Print · USGSWarren 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 - 1954 Map of Des Moines, 1973 Print
1954 Des Moines1973 Print · USGSCentral 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 - 1956 Map of Des Moines
1956 Des Moines1956 Print · USGSCentral 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. - 1956 Map of Des Moines NW, 1958 Print
1956 Des Moines NW1958 Print · USGSNorthwest 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 - 1956 Map of Des Moines SW, 1958 Print
1956 Des Moines SW1958 Print · USGSMid-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 - 1956 Map of Des Moines SE, 1958 Print
1956 Des Moines SE1958 Print · USGSMid-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 - 1956 Map of Des Moines NE, 1958 Print
1956 Des Moines NE1958 Print · USGSThe 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 - 1956 Map of Des Moines, 1959 Print
1956 Des Moines1959 Print · USGSThe 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. - 1957 Map of Des Moines
1957 Des Moines1957 Print · USGSCentral 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. - 1969 Map of Des Moines
1969 Des Moines1969 Print · USGSCentral 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. - 1972 Map of Altoona, 1974 Print
1972 Altoona1974 Print · USGSPolk 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 - 1972 Map of Scotch Ridge, 1974 Print
1972 Scotch Ridge1974 Print · USGSWarren 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. - 1972 Map of Rising Sun, 1974 Print
1972 Rising Sun1974 Print · USGSSoutheast 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. - 1972 Map of Norwalk, 1975 Print
1972 Norwalk1975 Print · USGSNorwalk 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. - 1984 Map of Indianola
1984 Indianola1984 Print · USGSSouth-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. - 1984 Map of Des Moines, 1985 Print
1984 Des Moines1985 Print · USGSCentral 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 - 2022 Map of Des Moines NE, 2022 Print
2022 Des Moines NE2022 Print · USGSThe northern reaches of the Des Moines metro area are shown here at a moment of significant growth and suburban expansion. Genealogists and local historians can trace the foundations of the county through sites like Greenwood Friends Cem, Enterprise, and Berwick. - 2022 Map of Norwalk, 2022 Print
2022 Norwalk2022 Print · USGSWarren County at the dawn of the 2020s shows a landscape in transition as suburban expansion reaches southward from the capital. Researchers can trace historic local sites like Linn Grove Cem, the small settlement of Greenbush, and the length of the Great Western Trl. - 2022 Map of Des Moines SW, 2022 Print
2022 Des Moines SW2022 Print · USGSGreater Des Moines at the start of the 2020s shows a sophisticated landscape of urban development and riverfront greenways. Researchers can trace historic cemeteries like Woodland Cem or find smaller sites like Orilla and Millman near the Des Moines International Airport. - 2022 Map of Des Moines SE, 2022 Print
2022 Des Moines SE2022 Print · USGSDes Moines and its southeastern suburbs are captured here during a period of modern expansion along the river valleys. Genealogists and local historians can trace legacy sites like Fort Des Moines, Children of Israel Cem, and the old rail paths of the CB AND Q ST. - 2022 Map of Altoona, 2022 Print
2022 Altoona2022 Print · USGSGreater Des Moines expands into the prairie landscape of eastern Polk County in the early twenty-first century. Researchers can locate family heritage sites at the Bondurant Cem and Franklin Cem or trace the Old Channel of the South Skunk River. - 2022 Map of Rising Sun, 2022 Print
2022 Rising Sun2022 Print · USGSSoutheast of the state capital, this area shows the meeting of river bottomlands and growing suburban corridors during the early 2020s. Genealogists can locate several family-named burial sites including Warren Powers Cem, Wicker Cem, and the riverfront settlement of Adelphi.
Showing maps 1-25 of 27
Top cities near Des Moines
- West Des Moines historical maps
- Ankeny historical maps
- Urbandale historical maps
- Johnston historical maps
- Waukee historical maps
- Altoona historical maps
See more
Top neighborhoods of Des Moines
- Marquisville historical maps
- Bowsher historical maps
- Avon historical maps
- Wivfat Plaza historical maps
- Chesterfield historical maps
- Watrous Heights historical maps
See more
Frequently asked questions
- What are the different types of historical maps available for Des Moines?
- What is the oldest map of Des Moines?
- Where can I purchase historical maps of Des Moines for my home or office?
- Where can I download high-res historical maps of Des Moines?
- Are there historical topographic maps available for Des Moines?
- Is there historical aerial imagery available for Des Moines?
- Where are historical maps of Des Moines sourced from?