1956 Map of Des Moines NW

About this map

The Camp Dodge Military Reservation dominates the northwestern landscape of this mid-century survey, showcasing the significant military presence in the Des Moines area. This terrain is defined by the winding course of the Des Moines River and its major tributary, Beaver Creek. The map documents the suburban growth of the northern Des Moines metropolitan area, with expanding residential developments in Urbandale and Johnston beginning to press against older agricultural and institutional sites like the Iowa State University Experimental Farm. Local history is deeply embedded in the many small burial grounds such as Union Cem and McDivitt Cem that dot the townships. Transportation and recreation hubs are well-defined, including Dodge Airport, the Hyperion Country Club, and the tracks of the Chicago and North Western railroad, illustrating the diverse land use as Polk County transitioned through the 1950s and into the late 1970s.