Join Free

1940s Maps of Detroit, Michigan

Explore 8 historic maps of Detroit from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — 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 Detroit's landscape evolved across the 1940s, 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 1940s, 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 Detroit's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.

Detroit, MI maps

(8)
  1. 1940 Map of Highland Park
    1940 Map of Highland Park
    1940 Highland Park
    1940 Print · USGS
    Greater Detroit was expanding rapidly just before the war, as residential grids replaced the agricultural lands of southern Macomb and Oakland Counties. Genealogists and historians can locate family landmarks like the Michigan State Fair Grounds and St Clements Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  4. 1940 Map of Grosse Pointe
    1940 Map of Grosse Pointe
    1940 Grosse Pointe
    1940 Print · USGS
    Coastal Wayne County and the rising Detroit suburbs are captured here just before the war. Researchers can trace the development of the Pointes and find family landmarks like St Peters Ch, Jefferson Beach, and Gratiot Airport.
  7. 1940 Map of Detroit
    1940 Map of Detroit
    1940 Detroit
    1940 Print · USGS
    Detroit and its Canadian neighbors thrive as a unified industrial corridor during the late thirties. Researchers can trace the massive rail-and-river network through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Union Depot, and industrial sites like Zug Island.
  10. 1941 Map of Royal Oak
    1941 Map of Royal Oak
    1941 Royal Oak
    1941 Print · USGS
    The Detroit and Oakland County borderlands come into sharp focus in the late thirties as suburban neighborhoods began to fill the grid. Genealogists and local researchers can trace early residential blocks, parish schools like Gesu Sch, and prominent landmarks including the Detroit Zoological Park and Oakview Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  13. 1942 Map of Redford
    1942 Map of Redford
    1942 Redford
    1942 Print · USGS
    Northwest of Detroit during the early war years, this survey captures the transition from township farmsteads to suburban hubs. Trace family roots and local landmarks through sites like the Redford PO, Burns Airport, and Grand Lawn Cem.
    2 unique versions available
  16. 1942 Map of Dearborn
    1942 Map of Dearborn
    1942 Dearborn
    1942 Print · USGS
    Dearborn and the industrial Detroit fringe are captured here at the height of the early war years. Genealogists and historians can trace dozens of neighborhoods and schools, from Fordson High Sch to the grounds of Greenfield Village and Camp Legion.
    2 unique versions available
  19. 1942 Map of Inkster
    1942 Map of Inkster
    1942 Inkster
    1942 Print · USGS
    Wayne County at the onset of the 1940s shows a landscape of growing suburbs and vital transit hubs. Genealogists and local historians can trace the foundations of Garden City and Inkster or locate landmarks like Eloise Hospital and Nankin Mills.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1947 Map of Detroit
    1947 Map of Detroit
    1947 Detroit
    1947 Print · USGS
    Post-war Detroit and its Ontario neighbors are shown in meticulous detail during the city's industrial peak. Researchers can trace the mid-century urban fabric through dozens of local landmarks like Briggs Stadium, the Ambassador Bridge, and Wayne University.
End of results
Showing maps 1-8 of 8

Top cities near Detroit

See more

Top neighborhoods of Detroit

See more

Frequently asked questions

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