1950s Maps of Wapello County, Iowa

Explore 12 historic maps of Wapello County 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 Wapello County'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 Wapello County's history through authentic maps from the 1950s. This is your window into the past.


Wapello County, IA maps

(12)
  1. 1954 Map of Centerville, 1967 Print
    1954 Map of Centerville, 1967 Print
    1954 Centerville
    1967 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands at mid-century reveal a landscape shaped by river valleys and the height of the regional rail network. Genealogists and historians can trace the paths of the Wabash railroad and locate old townsites like Mystic, Moulton, and Greentop.
    3 unique versions available

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. 1956 Map of Farson, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Farson, 1958 Print
    1956 Farson
    1958 Print · USGS
    Wapello County farming townships are captured here in the mid-fifties during a wave of rural school consolidation. Genealogists can locate family sites near Highland Center, the McCormick Cem, and several sites marked as Nasby Sch (Abandoned).
    2 unique versions available

  5. 1956 Map of Agency, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Agency, 1958 Print
    1956 Agency
    1958 Print · USGS
    Southeastern Iowa's river valleys and rail lines come alive in this mid-century portrait of Wapello County. Researchers can trace rural life through numerous one-room schoolhouses like O'Connor Sch and historic sites such as Alpine Log Ch.
    2 unique versions available

  6. 1956 Map of Ottumwa North, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Ottumwa North, 1958 Print
    1956 Ottumwa North
    1958 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Ottumwa and its surrounding townships show a bustling river-and-rail economy as the region expanded in the fifties. Genealogists can trace family sites at Memorial Lawn Cemetery and locate vanished rural landmarks like Shiloh Church.

  7. 1956 Map of Ottumwa South, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Ottumwa South, 1958 Print
    1956 Ottumwa South
    1958 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa rural life and the outskirts of Ottumwa are captured in the mid-fifties, before modern development reshaped the county lines. Genealogists can trace family footprints at Shaul Cem or Ormanville, and locate numerous vanished rural schoolhouses like Ogg Sch and Union Sch.
    2 unique versions available

  8. 1956 Map of Ottumwa South, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Ottumwa South, 1958 Print
    1956 Ottumwa South
    1958 Print · USGS
    Southern Iowa in the mid-fifties reveals a landscape of transition where rural schoolhouses and busy rail lines connected small farming communities. Researchers can trace family history at sites like Mars Hill Ch, Lester Cem, and the old rail stop at Drakesville (Station).
    2 unique versions available

  9. 1956 Map of Ottumwa North, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Ottumwa North, 1958 Print
    1956 Ottumwa North
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Des Moines River valley in the mid-fifties reveals a bustling Iowa hub at the height of its rail-and-river era. Researchers can trace family history through numerous landmarks like Ottumwa Cemetery, Reveal Sch, and Ottumwa Heights College.
    2 unique versions available

  10. 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.

  11. 1957 Map of Centerville
    1957 Map of Centerville
    1957 Centerville
    1957 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands in the mid-fifties reveal a landscape of river-valley agriculture and vital rail corridors. Genealogists and historians can trace family-named landmarks and small-town growth in Centerville, Kirksville, and along the Wabash railroad line.

  12. 1958 Map of Centerville
    1958 Map of Centerville
    1958 Centerville
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Iowa-Missouri borderlands come into focus during the mid-fifties, showing a landscape defined by river valleys and intersecting rail lines. Genealogists and local historians can trace family roots through dozens of rural hubs like Bloomfield, Unionville, and Corydon.

End of results
Showing maps 1-12 of 12

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Frequently asked questions

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