Join Free

Old Maps of Ames, Iowa for Genealogy

Trace your family roots with 21 historic maps of Ames. These high-res maps reveal old neighborhoods, homesites, landmarks, and streets — helping you uncover where your ancestors lived and how the area evolved over time.

  • Explore historic neighborhoods: Identify where your relatives may have lived in the 1800s or 1900s.
  • Compare maps over time: Trace the changes in streets, buildings, and landmarks for multi-generational research.
  • Perfect for genealogy & ancestry research: Used by family historians and researchers to map out lineage and migration.

These maps are an incredible resource for exploring your personal connection to Ames's past.

Ames, IA maps

(21)
  1. 1911 Map of Slater, 1960 Print
    1911 Map of Slater, 1960 Print
    1911 Slater
    1960 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa at the dawn of the twentieth century was a landscape of rail-driven prairie towns and a schoolhouse at nearly every mile. Genealogists can trace the rural roots of local families through specific sites like Nip-and-tuck School, Polk City Junction, and Huxley.
  4. 1912 Map of Ames, 1956 Print
    1912 Map of Ames, 1956 Print
    1912 Ames
    1956 Print · USGS
    Story and Hamilton counties appear here in the early twentieth century as a thriving network of rail-side towns and rural school districts. Researchers can trace the grounds of Iowa State College or find vanished schoolhouses like Tiernagel School and Hobbs School.
    3 unique versions available
  7. 1913 Map of Slater
    1913 Map of Slater
    1913 Slater
    1913 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa's farm country and rail corridors are captured here just before the First World War, showing a landscape tightly knit by steam and electric lines. Genealogists can locate dozens of neighborhood landmarks like Nip-and-tuck School, the Sydnes School, and the early plats of Slater and Huxley.
    2 unique versions available
  10. 1914 Map of Ames
    1914 Map of Ames
    1914 Ames
    1914 Print · USGS
    Story County at the start of the twentieth century was a landscape of fertile farmland and burgeoning rail towns like Story City and Ames. Genealogists and researchers can trace the precise locations of dozens of country schoolhouses, including Zenorville School and Espeland School, alongside the grounds of Iowa State College.
    3 unique versions available
  13. 1954 Map of Waterloo, 1968 Print
    1954 Map of Waterloo, 1968 Print
    1954 Waterloo
    1968 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa at the height of its mid-century agricultural and rail boom features the growing hubs of Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Genealogists and researchers can trace the rail corridors of the Chicago Great Western and find local landmarks like Iowa State College and Brushy Ridge.
    4 unique versions available
  16. 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
  19. 1955 Map of Waterloo
    1955 Map of Waterloo
    1955 Waterloo
    1955 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa in the mid-fifties presents a dense landscape of rail-connected farming towns and growing river cities. Researchers can trace ancestral roots and old transport routes through Waterloo, Marshalltown, and Ames, while locating rural Cemeteries and local Quarries.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 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.
  25. 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.
  28. 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.
  31. 1975 Map of Ames West, 1978 Print
    1975 Map of Ames West, 1978 Print
    1975 Ames West
    1978 Print · USGS
    The western edges of Ames and the Iowa State University campus are captured here in the mid-seventies, showing the city's expansion toward Ontario. Researchers can trace old school sites like Sawyer Sch, the College Cem, and the path of the Chicago and North Western railroad.
    2 unique versions available
  34. 1975 Map of Huxley, 1978 Print
    1975 Map of Huxley, 1978 Print
    1975 Huxley
    1978 Print · USGS
    Story County in the mid-seventies reveals a landscape shaped by the South Skunk River and a dense network of competing railroads. Genealogists can locate several family-anchored sites like Fjelberg Cem, Palestine Ch, and the town of Cambridge.
  37. 1975 Map of Slater, 1978 Print
    1975 Map of Slater, 1978 Print
    1975 Slater
    1978 Print · USGS
    Story County agricultural and rail networks are preserved here in the mid-seventies, showing the intersection of heavy rail lines and academic research. Genealogists and local historians can trace family roots through Bethany Cem or locate old rail spurs like the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific near Slater and Kelley.
  40. 1975 Map of Ames East, 1978 Print
    1975 Map of Ames East, 1978 Print
    1975 Ames East
    1978 Print · USGS
    Ames was expanding along the Skunk River in the mid-1970s, as agricultural research and transit networks shaped the local landscape. Researchers can locate the National Animal Disease Laboratory, the Born Cem, and the tracks of the Chicago and North Western railroad.
    2 unique versions available
  43. 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
  46. 1985 Map of Ames
    1985 Map of Ames
    1985 Ames
    1985 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa's prairie landscape in the mid-eighties shows a well-established network of rail towns and conservation areas. Genealogists and historians can trace the paths of the Lincoln Highway and the Chicago and North Western line connecting Ames, Boone, and Webster City.
  49. 1993 Map of Ames
    1993 Map of Ames
    1993 Ames
    1993 Print · USGS
    Central Iowa in the early nineties shows a landscape of river-fed parklands and growing academic centers. Genealogists and researchers can trace local church sites like Sts Peter and Paul Ch or navigate the corridors of the Chicago and North Western through towns like Hubbard and Stanhope.
  52. 2022 Map of Huxley, 2022 Print
    2022 Map of Huxley, 2022 Print
    2022 Huxley
    2022 Print · USGS
    Story County's prairie landscape is captured here in the early 2020s, showcasing the development between the city of AMES and the South Skunk River. Researchers can locate numerous historic burial sites like Fjeldberg Cem or trace the path of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trl through Huxley.
  55. 2022 Map of Slater, 2022 Print
    2022 Map of Slater, 2022 Print
    2022 Slater
    2022 Print · USGS
    The rural landscapes of Story and Boone Counties are captured here in the early twenty-first century as the city of Ames expands southward. Local historians can trace cemetery locations like Bethany Cemetery and follow the paths of Ballard Creek through Kelley and Slater.
  58. 2023 Map of Ames East, 2023 Print
    2023 Map of Ames East, 2023 Print
    2023 Ames East
    2023 Print · USGS
    The eastern edge of Ames and the surrounding Story County countryside are shown here in the 2020s. Researchers can trace family sites like Brouhard Cem and Arrasmith Cem or follow the South Skunk River corridor.
  61. 2023 Map of Ames West, 2023 Print
    2023 Map of Ames West, 2023 Print
    2023 Ames West
    2023 Print · USGS
    The area west of Ames in 2023 shows a landscape defined by the expansion of Iowa State University and a dense network of modern nature trails. Genealogists and local historians can trace the rural roots of the county through sites like Zenorsville, Olive Branch Cemetery, and the settlement of Ontario.
End of results
Showing maps 1-21 of 21

Top cities near Ames

See more

Top neighborhoods of Ames

See more

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for Ames?
  • What is the oldest map of Ames?
  • Where can I purchase historical maps of Ames for my home or office?
  • Where can I download high-res historical maps of Ames?
  • Are there historical topographic maps available for Ames?
  • Is there historical aerial imagery available for Ames?
  • Where are historical maps of Ames sourced from?