1956 Map of Des Moines SW

About this map

The confluence of the Raccoon River and the Des Moines River anchors this 1950s study of Iowa's capital city and its rapidly expanding western suburbs. The map captures a critical period of growth for West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and Clive, where the grid of residential development meets established institutions like Drake University and Waveland Park. A distinct rail-centric industrial landscape is visible, defined by the heavy presence of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific and the Chicago Great Western railroads. Beyond the urban core, the transition to rural Polk and Warren counties is marked by sites like the Plainview Sch (Abandoned) and Walnut Woods State Park. The southern portion of the sheet is dominated by the sprawling Des Moines Municipal Airport, emphasizing the city's role as a regional transportation hub during the mid-century era.