1956 Map of Des Moines SE

About this map

The Des Moines River and Raccoon River converge at the heart of this mid-century survey, anchoring the capital city's dense urban grid and industrial corridors. In the southeast, the landscape transitions from the busy city streets toward the rural reaches of Avon and Avon Lake, where the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroad tracks cut through the river valley. The map documents the extensive civic infrastructure of Des Moines during a period of post-war expansion, featuring the State Capitol and the sprawling State Fairground. To the south, Fort Des Moines remains a prominent landmark, while educational institutions like Grandview College and dozens of neighborhood schools, such as East High Sch and Sabin Sch, illustrate the era's local community layout. This detailed topography also reveals the industrial activity along the river, including a Strip Mine and various oil tanks near the rail lines.