State Historical Society of Iowa

Railroad Map of Iowa, 1881

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The map shows the many railroads running through the state of Iowa in 1881.
Courtesy of University of Iowa Libraries and Archives, Western Litho Co., 1881

Description

The map shows the many railroads running through the state of Iowa in 1881 and was published at the time by the Western Litho Company. The map was actually created by the Iowa Board of Railroad Commissioners, which served as an independent regulatory railroad agency. 

Source-Dependent Question

  • How did the railroad change between the plan created in 1851 and the actual lines as mapped here in 1881? 

Citation Information

"Railroad map of Iowa, 1881," Iowa Board of Railroad Commissioners, Western Litho Co., 1881. Courtesy of University of Iowa Libraries and Archives