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Old Maps of Madison, Wisconsin for Metal Detecting

Plan your next treasure hunt with 50 historic maps of Madison. 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 Madison.

Madison, WI maps

(50)
  1. 1889 Map of Evansville
    1889 Map of Evansville
    1889 Evansville
    1889 Print · USGS
    Southern Wisconsin at the end of the nineteenth century was a landscape of growing rail towns and post offices scattered across glacial drumlins. Genealogists can trace family roots through the early plats of Evansville, Oregon, and the Lake View Post Office.
  4. 1890 Map of Madison
    1890 Map of Madison
    1890 Madison
    1890 Print · USGS
    Madison and its surrounding lake country are captured in the late 1880s as the capital city began to dominate the central isthmus. Researchers can trace early rail corridors like the Madison and Northern Railroad and locate settlements such as Mendota and Token Creek.
  7. 1890 Map of Sun Prairie
    1890 Map of Sun Prairie
    1890 Sun Prairie
    1890 Print · USGS
    Eastern Dane County was a landscape of budding rail towns and glacial ridges in the late nineteenth century. Genealogists and local historians can trace the early footprints of Sun Prairie, Deerfield, and Marshall along the active corridors of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.
    2 unique versions available
  10. 1892 Map of Madison
    1892 Map of Madison
    1892 Madison
    1892 Print · USGS
    Dane County in the late nineteenth century centers on the emerging isthmus city of Madison and its surrounding glacial lakes. Genealogists and historians can trace rail-aligned settlements like Waunakee, De Forest, and Mac Farland alongside the banks of Lake Mendota.
    3 unique versions available
  13. 1894 Map of Evansville
    1894 Map of Evansville
    1894 Evansville
    1894 Print · USGS
    Southern Wisconsin at the end of the nineteenth century was a landscape of expanding rail lines and productive prairie farms. Genealogists and local historians can trace early settlements like Oak Hall, the lakeside community of Lakeview, and the winding course of the Sugar River.
    2 unique versions available
  16. 1896 Map of Sun Prairie
    1896 Map of Sun Prairie
    1896 Sun Prairie
    1896 Print · USGS
    Eastern Dane County in the 1880s is captured here as a landscape of glacial ridges and emerging rail towns. Genealogists and local historians can trace early homesteads and rail stops like Deansville, Cottage Grove, and London.
    2 unique versions available
  19. 1904 Map of Madison, 1954 Print
    1904 Map of Madison, 1954 Print
    1904 Madison
    1954 Print · USGS
    Dane County's capital and its surrounding chain of lakes are shown here at the turn of the century. Genealogists and local historians can trace the early footprints of the University of Wisconsin, the Fair Grounds, and settlements like Token and Norway Grove.
  22. 1905 Map of Sun Prairie, 1959 Print
    1905 Map of Sun Prairie, 1959 Print
    1905 Sun Prairie
    1959 Print · USGS
    In the early twentieth century, this part of Dane County was a thriving network of rail-stop towns and dairy farms. Genealogists and historians can trace the original rail paths of the Milwaukee Road through settlements like Sun Prairie, Deerfield, and Marshall.
  25. 1906 Map of Evansville
    1906 Map of Evansville
    1906 Evansville
    1906 Print · USGS
    Wisconsin's southern prairie and wetlands are mapped here in the early twentieth century as the railroad transformed rural trade. Trace the iron paths of the C. and N. W. R. R. through Evansville and Oregon, or find local landmarks like Red Bridge Crossing and Liberty Pole Hill.
    3 unique versions available
  28. 1906 Map of Madison
    1906 Map of Madison
    1906 Madison
    1906 Print · USGS
    The state capital and its Four Lakes are captured here in the early twentieth century. Genealogists and historians can trace the early development of Madison and the University of Wisconsin, along with rural hubs like Waunakee and Mc Farland.
    6 unique versions available
  31. 1907 Map of Sun Prairie
    1907 Map of Sun Prairie
    1907 Sun Prairie
    1907 Print · USGS
    Eastern Dane County at the turn of the century shows a landscape of rail-connected dairy towns and glacial wetlands. Genealogists and historians can trace family locations near York Center, Liberty Mound, and the old rail junction at London.
    8 unique versions available
  34. 1907 Map of Cross Plains, 1960 Print
    1907 Map of Cross Plains, 1960 Print
    1907 Cross Plains
    1960 Print · USGS
    Western Dane County comes to life in this early 1900s survey, showing the transition from the rolling prairie to the driftless hills. Genealogists can trace family roots through historic junctions and rural centers like Marxville, Pine Bluff, and Ashton Church.
  37. 1909 Map of Cross Plains
    1909 Map of Cross Plains
    1909 Cross Plains
    1909 Print · USGS
    Dane County at the turn of the century shows a bustling corridor of rail-side towns and rural townships. Trace the early development of Mt Horeb, Cross Plains, and Middleton Junction alongside landmarks like Ashton Church and Richardson Cave.
    4 unique versions available
  40. 1923 Map of New Glarus
    1923 Map of New Glarus
    1923 New Glarus
    1923 Print · USGS
    Green and Dane counties are captured here in the early 1920s, showing a region of family farms and emerging rail corridors. Genealogists can trace specific local landmarks like Primrose Churches, the County Farm, and dozens of rural schools including Hanna School.
    2 unique versions available
  43. 1954 Map of Rockford
    1954 Map of Rockford
    1954 Rockford
    1954 Print · USGS
    The Rock River valley and the Illinois-Wisconsin borderlands are captured here in the mid-1950s during a period of robust industrial and agricultural activity. Genealogists and historians can trace rail-era corridors like the Illinois Central RR and locate landmarks from Big Foot Prairie to Lake Geneva.
  46. 1955 Map of Rockford
    1955 Map of Rockford
    1955 Rockford
    1955 Print · USGS
    The Rock River valley and southern Wisconsin dairy country are shown here in the mid-fifties as the region's manufacturing centers grew. Genealogists and historians can trace the paths of the Chicago and North Western RR and Illinois Central RR through hubs like Rockford and Beloit.
  49. 1957 Map of Madison, 1967 Print
    1957 Map of Madison, 1967 Print
    1957 Madison
    1967 Print · USGS
    South-central Wisconsin in the mid-fifties reveals a landscape of industrial hubs and glacial lakes linked by a dense rail and highway network. Genealogists and historians can trace the development of lakeside communities and find notable sites like Badger Ordnance Works and the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge.
    3 unique versions available
  52. 1958 Map of Rockford, 1974 Print
    1958 Map of Rockford, 1974 Print
    1958 Rockford
    1974 Print · USGS
    Northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin are shown here in the mid-twentieth century as rail-dependent industrial towns began to interface with growing lakefront communities. Genealogists can trace family roots through settlements like Saylesville and Tess Corners or locate historical landmarks like the Rockford Ordnance Depot.
    4 unique versions available
  55. 1959 Map of Waunakee, 1960 Print
    1959 Map of Waunakee, 1960 Print
    1959 Waunakee
    1960 Print · USGS
    Dane County's agricultural heart and northern lakefront are captured here in the late fifties as the Madison suburbs began to expand. Genealogists can trace family names at Vienna Cem or locate former rural centers like Norway Grove and Catfish Sch.
    3 unique versions available
  58. 1959 Map of Madison West, 1960 Print
    1959 Map of Madison West, 1960 Print
    1959 Madison West
    1960 Print · USGS
    Madison in the late fifties shows a city shaped by its lakes and university growth. Trace the evolution of neighborhoods and campus landmarks from Picnic Point to the Forest Hill Cemetery, including local schools like Nakoma Sch.
    4 unique versions available
  61. 1959 Map of De Forest, 1960 Print
    1959 Map of De Forest, 1960 Print
    1959 De Forest
    1960 Print · USGS
    Upper Dane County shows its transition from a farming heartland to a suburban corridor in the late fifties. Genealogists and historians can trace numerous rural schoolhouses and family cemeteries including Pumpkin Hollow Sch and Hoepker Cem.
    3 unique versions available
  64. 1959 Map of Madison, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Madison, 1961 Print
    1959 Madison
    1961 Print · USGS
    Madison and the surrounding Dane County countryside appear here in the late fifties, showing the city's growth between its iconic lakes. Genealogists and local historians can trace family roots through numerous country schools like Wangness Sch and historic cemeteries such as Norway Grove Cem.
    3 unique versions available
  67. 1959 Map of Madison East, 1970 Print
    1959 Map of Madison East, 1970 Print
    1959 Madison East
    1970 Print · USGS
    Madison and its eastern lakefront suburbs are captured during a period of significant post-war expansion. Genealogists can trace family footprints through numerous local institutions like St Bernards Sch, Blooming Grove Cem, and McFarland.
    2 unique versions available
  70. 1960 Map of Madison
    1960 Map of Madison
    1960 Madison
    1960 Print · USGS
    Central and Southern Wisconsin are captured in the late fifties, showing the region as its rail-and-river network matured. Trace the paths of the Soo Line RR or locate family roots near Lake Mendota and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge.
    2 unique versions available
  73. 1961 Map of Evansville, 1963 Print
    1961 Map of Evansville, 1963 Print
    1961 Evansville
    1963 Print · USGS
    The rural landscape between Madison and Janesville is captured here in the early sixties, showing a robust agricultural economy and well-defined town centers. Genealogists can trace family footprints at Franklin Sch, St Marys Cem, and the crossroads at Butts Corners.
    2 unique versions available
Showing maps 1-25 of 50

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Frequently asked questions

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