Old Maps of Clay County, Missouri for Metal Detecting

Plan your next treasure hunt with 122 historic maps of Clay County. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.

  • Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
  • Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
  • Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.

Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of Clay County.


Clay County, MO maps

(122)
  1. 1890 Map of Kansas City
    1890 Map of Kansas City
    1890 Kansas City
    1890 Print · USGS
    The Missouri River valley at the turn of the decade shows a booming rail-and-river economy centered on KANSAS CITY. Researchers can trace the early footprints of settlements like White Church, Lansing, and Smithville before modern expansion.
    2 unique versions available

  2. 1894 Map of Kansas City
    1894 Map of Kansas City
    1894 Kansas City
    1894 Print · USGS
    The Missouri River valley at the close of the nineteenth century was a bustling intersection of military life and frontier commerce. Genealogists can trace family roots through river towns like Weston and Parkville or locate early railroad hubs at Settles Station and Beverly Junction.
    14 unique versions available

  3. 1894 Map of Independence
    1894 Map of Independence
    1894 Independence
    1894 Print · USGS
    The river valley and rail corridors of western Missouri are captured in detail during the late nineteenth century. Researchers can trace the early layouts of Liberty and Independence alongside lost river features like Liberty Landing and Cooley Lake.
    5 unique versions available

  4. 1914 Map of Smithville
    1914 Map of Smithville
    1914 Smithville
    1914 Print · USGS
    Missouri's northern river valleys are depicted here just before the Great War, showing a landscape of rail-dependent small towns and rural school districts. Genealogists can trace family footprints through numerous community landmarks like Paradise, Hixson Mill, and Mt. Zion School.
    4 unique versions available

  5. 1934 Map of Independence
    1934 Map of Independence
    1934 Independence
    1934 Print · USGS
    In Jackson County during the mid-1930s, the landscape around Independence shows a bustling network of river commerce and early highways. Researchers can trace the heritage of local institutions like the Jackson County Girls Home and historic sites such as Mt Washington Cem.
    2 unique versions available

  6. 1935 Map of Buckner
    1935 Map of Buckner
    1935 Buckner
    1935 Print · USGS
    The Missouri River bottoms and Fort Osage bluffs are captured here in the mid-1930s during a period of heavy rail and river activity. Genealogists and historians can trace the locations of numerous rural landmarks like Union Ch, Egypt Sch, and the Hossenflow Duck Camp.
    2 unique versions available

  7. 1935 Map of Kansas City
    1935 Map of Kansas City
    1935 Kansas City
    1935 Print · USGS
    Kansas City and its surrounding Missouri and Kansas neighborhoods are captured here during a period of significant civic expansion in the mid-1930s. Researchers can trace the layout of early aviation at the Municipal Landing Field or locate family history through many landmarks like Elmwood Cem and Wyandotte High Sch.
    2 unique versions available

  8. 1935 Map of Missouri City
    1935 Map of Missouri City
    1935 Missouri City
    1935 Print · USGS
    Missouri River communities in the mid-1930s are captured here during a period of heavy reliance on rail and river geography. Genealogists can trace a network of rural schools like Hunt Sch and Academy Sch or locate the historic McCune Home near the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe line.

  9. 1935 Map of North Kansas City
    1935 Map of North Kansas City
    1935 North Kansas City
    1935 Print · USGS
    North Kansas City and the Missouri River bluffs appear here in the mid-1930s as industrial development begins to reshape the river valley. You can trace early aviation sites like Fairfax Landing Field and community anchors like Gashland Sch and Winnwood Lake.

  10. 1935 Map of Liberty, 1955 Print
    1935 Map of Liberty, 1955 Print
    1935 Liberty
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Missouri River bluffs and river bottoms near Liberty were a hub of rail commerce and education in the mid-thirties. Genealogists and researchers can locate several rural schools and sites like the Odd Fellows Home, Crollie Cem, and Claycomo Mill.
    2 unique versions available

  11. 1936 Map of Kearney
    1936 Map of Kearney
    1936 Kearney
    1936 Print · USGS
    Clay County at the height of the mid-thirties rural school era reveals a landscape of interconnected family farms and rail-stop towns. Researchers can trace ancestral locations through dozens of named landmarks like Mt Gilead Sch, Watkins Ch, and the original street grid of Kearney.

  12. 1940 Map of Kansas City
    1940 Map of Kansas City
    1940 Kansas City
    1940 Print · USGS
    Kansas City's urban landscape is shown in remarkable detail just before the war, highlighting its massive rail yards and industrial riverfront. Genealogists and historians can trace neighborhood schools like Longfellow Sch, Central High Schools, and the resting places at Calvary Cemetery.
    3 unique versions available

  13. 1940 Map of Liberty
    1940 Map of Liberty
    1940 Liberty
    1940 Print · USGS
    Clay County at the dawn of the 1940s shows a dense network of river-bottom railroads and hilltop college life. Genealogists can trace family landmarks like Withers Sch, the Odd Fellows Home, and the Depression-era Federal Transient Camp.
    2 unique versions available

  14. 1940 Map of North Kansas City
    1940 Map of North Kansas City
    1940 North Kansas City
    1940 Print · USGS
    The industrial riverfront and Clay County uplands are documented here during the mid-1930s as the regional transport network matured. Genealogists and researchers can locate family landmarks like New Stark Cem, Bethel Ch, and the many rural schoolhouses serving Gashland and Barry.
    2 unique versions available

  15. 1940 Map of Independence
    1940 Map of Independence
    1940 Independence
    1940 Print · USGS
    Independence and its eastern suburbs are shown here in the mid-1930s, caught between the industrial Missouri River bend and the rural ridges of Jackson County. Genealogists can trace family landmarks like Woodlawn Cemetery, the Sanitarium, and rural schools like Whiteoak Sch.
    2 unique versions available

  16. 1942 Map of Kearney, 1965 Print
    1942 Map of Kearney, 1965 Print
    1942 Kearney
    1965 Print · USGS
    Clay County at the onset of the 1940s is a landscape of established rail hubs and rural schoolhouses. Genealogists can trace family roots through dozens of local landmarks like Antioch Cem, Mt Gilead Sch, and the County Home.
    2 unique versions available

  17. 1945 Map of Kearney
    1945 Map of Kearney
    1945 Kearney
    1945 Print · USGS
    Clay County farming communities thrive in the mid-1940s as rail lines connect rural outposts to the wider region. Genealogists can trace family footprints through dozens of local schools like Bodoc Sch and country churches such as Antioch Ch.
    2 unique versions available

  18. 1945 Map of Missouri City, 1955 Print
    1945 Map of Missouri City, 1955 Print
    1945 Missouri City
    1955 Print · USGS
    Missouri City and the river bottomlands are captured here in the mid-1940s, showing a landscape defined by rail lines and rural school districts. Genealogists can trace family footprints at Blue Mills, New Salem Ch, and numerous country schools like Lynch Sch.

  19. 1947 Map of Missouri City
    1947 Map of Missouri City
    1947 Missouri City
    1947 Print · USGS
    The Missouri River bottoms and surrounding bluffs appear here in the mid-1940s, showing a rural landscape defined by heavy rail and river crossings. Genealogists can locate family-named landmarks and institutions like New Salem Ch, Blue Mills, and the McCune Home.
    2 unique versions available

  20. 1948 Map of Nashua, 1956 Print
    1948 Map of Nashua, 1956 Print
    1948 Nashua
    1956 Print · USGS
    The rural uplands of Clay and Platte counties are captured here shortly after the Second World War. Genealogists can trace family farmsteads and find local landmarks like Lone Star School, Mt Olivet Church, and the settlement at Gashland.

  21. 1948 Map of North Kansas City, 1958 Print
    1948 Map of North Kansas City, 1958 Print
    1948 North Kansas City
    1958 Print · USGS
    North Kansas City and the Missouri River corridor show a bustling mid-century mix of aviation, industry, and early suburban growth. Trace the development of Quindaro, the operations at Fairfax Airport, and local roots at Faubion Cemetery.

  22. 1950 Map of Kansas City
    1950 Map of Kansas City
    1950 Kansas City
    1950 Print · USGS
    Mid-century Kansas and Missouri are captured here during a period of industrial growth and shifting transportation. Genealogists and historians can trace rail lines like the Wabash RR or locate ancestral homes near the Potawatomi Indian Reservation and Horton.

  23. 1950 Map of Nashua
    1950 Map of Nashua
    1950 Nashua
    1950 Print · USGS
    Clay and Platte Counties are captured here in the late 1940s, showing a landscape of rural school districts and small crossroads towns. Researchers can trace family ties through community hubs like Nashua, Mt Olivet Church, and the Lone Star School.

  24. 1950 Map of Smithville
    1950 Map of Smithville
    1950 Smithville
    1950 Print · USGS
    The rural borderlands of Platte, Clay, and Clinton counties are shown here just after the war, defined by the winding Platte River and a network of small farm towns. Researchers can trace the locations of dozens of vanished schools and cemeteries, from the Masonic Cemetery to the South Gale School and the historic Covered Bridge.
    2 unique versions available

  25. 1951 Map of Smithville
    1951 Map of Smithville
    1951 Smithville
    1951 Print · USGS
    North of Kansas City in the early 1950s, this area shows a landscape of river-valley farms and small rural settlements. Researchers can locate numerous one-room schoolhouses like Rocky Point School and trace family-named landmarks such as Reed Cemetery and Rice Bridge.
    2 unique versions available

Showing maps 1-25 of 122

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Frequently asked questions

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