Old Maps of Western Gateway, Des Moines

Explore 10 old maps of Western Gateway, spanning from 1905 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 Western Gateway changed over time: Compare historical maps to modern-day views to trace roads, homesites, rail lines & more.
  • View detailed metadata: Each map includes creators, publishers, year, scale, and archive source.
  • Overlay maps with satellite & LiDAR: Visualize the past alongside modern tools to explore terrain & human change.
  • Trusted historical sources: Maps sourced from the USGS, Library of Congress, and other archives.
  • Access maps your way: View online, download high-res files, or order prints for personal or research use.

Start exploring old maps of Western Gateway to uncover forgotten places, hidden landmarks, and the deep history beneath your feet.


Western Gateway, Des Moines maps

(10)
  1. 1905 Map of Des Moines, 1954 Print
    1905 Map of Des Moines, 1954 Print
    1905 Des Moines
    1954 Print · USGS
    Covers Western Gateway, including Des Moines, West Des Moines, and other nearby areas

  2. 1907 Map of Des Moines
    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

  3. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 1984 Map of Des Moines, 1985 Print
    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

  10. 2022 Map of Des Moines SW, 2022 Print
    2022 Map of Des Moines SW, 2022 Print
    2022 Des Moines SW
    2022 Print · USGS
    Greater 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.

End of results
Showing maps 1-10 of 10

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