1956 Map of Des Moines SW

About this map

Des Moines and its western suburbs expand across the landscape in this mid-century record, where the Raccoon River loops through a mix of industrial riverfronts and established parklands. The city's growth is evident in the dense network of schools like Roosevelt High Sch and Lincoln High Sch, alongside the sprawling grounds of Drake University. This era captures the confluence of major rail lines, including the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific, which serviced the massive Gravel Pits along the river. Beyond the urban core, the map detail extends to Des Moines Municipal Airport and Walnut Woods State Park, while the southern reaches of Polk Co transition into the rural landscape of Warren Co near the small community of Orillia. Significant institutional presence is marked by the Glendale Cemetery and specialized facilities like the Technical High Sch.