Map of Davidson, North Carolina by USGS, 1993: Lake Norman, Cornelius & Huntersville
Restored in our workshop from the original 1996 map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.The Collector’s Offer
Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.
Restored in London • Printed and framed in Australia
Restored from the original 1996 map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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Gift message & custom finish
If you want to add a gift message, or a finish (jigsaw, aluminium board, etc.) that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
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Published in 1996 using survey data from 1993, the US Geological Survey’s “Cornelius” presents a richly detailed topographical portrait of Davidson, Cornelius,...
Continue readingPublished in 1996 using survey data from 1993, the US Geological Survey’s “Cornelius” presents a richly detailed topographical portrait of Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, and the surrounding western Piedmont of North Carolina. At a 1:24,000 scale, the map captures the region at a moment when the communities north of Charlotte were balancing small-town character with accelerating suburban growth. Davidson appears with the quiet structure of a college town, while Cornelius and Huntersville show the expanding networks of roads, residential districts, and commercial corridors that would increasingly define the Lake Norman area. The map’s title, “Cornelius,” anchors it firmly in place, yet its geographic reach tells a broader story of water, rail, settlement, and terrain.
The US Geological Survey, producer of this map, has long been one of America’s most respected scientific mapping agencies, combining field observation, aerial survey, and standardized cartographic practice to document the nation’s landscape. Its topographic quadrangles are prized not only for their precision but also for the way they preserve everyday geography: roads, streams, railways, public buildings, wooded areas, and the subtle rise and fall of land. Here, the familiar USGS visual language is especially effective. Green tones denote parks, woodland, and vegetated ground; pink identifies urbanized areas; blue traces Lake Norman, Clarke Creek, and smaller streams; and brown contour lines quietly model the undulating Piedmont surface beneath human development.
Lake Norman is the most prominent natural and cultural presence associated with this map, shaping settlement, recreation, transportation, and regional identity. Created in the 1960s by the damming of the Catawba River, the lake transformed the northern Mecklenburg and southern Iredell County landscape, drawing residential growth and leisure development to its shoreline. Though the map focuses on the Cornelius-Davidson area rather than the entire reservoir, the influence of the lake is unmistakable in the orientation of roads, neighborhoods, and open spaces. Nearby creeks and drainage lines, including Clarke Creek, reveal the smaller hydrological systems that feed the broader watershed, while coves, stream valleys, and low ridges show how water and topography guided patterns of habitation.
Davidson’s appearance on the map is particularly evocative, reflecting a community known for Davidson College and for a compact, historically rooted town center. The map records not only streets and built-up areas, but also the relationship between the town, its rail line, and the surrounding countryside. Railways, roads, and highways trace layers of mobility: older transportation corridors tied to agriculture and trade, and newer routes responding to suburban expansion and commuting patterns into Charlotte. Huntersville and Cornelius, meanwhile, appear as growing nodes within a rapidly changing metropolitan edge. Seen today, the map offers a valuable mid-1990s baseline, before further waves of development reshaped much of the Lake Norman corridor.
The topographic character of the western Piedmont is rendered with quiet sophistication through contour lines that distinguish hills, shallow valleys, stream courses, and gently rolling uplands. This is not a dramatic mountain map, but its subtle terrain is precisely what makes it compelling: elevation changes influence road alignments, drainage, green spaces, and the placement of neighborhoods. Parks and vegetated areas stand out amid expanding urban fabric, suggesting the interplay between planned development and preserved landscape. As a historical document, “Cornelius” captures a region in transition, where college-town traditions, lakefront growth, transportation infrastructure, and Piedmont landforms converge. It is a map of measured detail, but also of transformation, recording the geography of a community on the cusp of profound change.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Davidson, NC
- Lake Norman
- Clarke Creek
- Huntersville, NC
- Cornelius, NC
- Major roads and highways
- Railways
- Parks and green spaces
- Bodies of water and streams
- Residential areas and commercial districts
- Hills and valleys
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the US Geological Survey (USGS)
- Historical 1:24,000 topographical map showing Davidson, North Carolina and surrounding areas
- Dated 1993 with a 1996 imprint
- Uses survey data from 1993
- Features Davidson, North Carolina, known for its proximity to Lake Norman and its college town atmosphere
- USGS is a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for accurate mapping and geological surveys
- Uses a standard USGS topographical color scheme, including green for elevation and relief and pink for urbanized areas
- Shows varying elevations and terrain features through contour lines
- Illustrates the western Piedmont region of North Carolina
- Provides a mid-1990s historical snapshot useful for understanding regional development and land use change
Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.
Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.
Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.
This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.
For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.
Published in 1996 using survey data from 1993, the US Geological Survey’s “Cornelius” presents a richly detailed topographical portrait of Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, and the surrounding western Piedmont of North Carolina. At a 1:24,000 scale, the map captures the region at a moment when the communities north of Charlotte were balancing small-town character with accelerating suburban growth. Davidson appears with the quiet structure of a college town, while Cornelius and Huntersville show the expanding networks of roads, residential districts, and commercial corridors that would increasingly define the Lake Norman area. The map’s title, “Cornelius,” anchors it firmly in place, yet its geographic reach tells a broader story of water, rail, settlement, and terrain.
The US Geological Survey, producer of this map, has long been one of America’s most respected scientific mapping agencies, combining field observation, aerial survey, and standardized cartographic practice to document the nation’s landscape. Its topographic quadrangles are prized not only for their precision but also for the way they preserve everyday geography: roads, streams, railways, public buildings, wooded areas, and the subtle rise and fall of land. Here, the familiar USGS visual language is especially effective. Green tones denote parks, woodland, and vegetated ground; pink identifies urbanized areas; blue traces Lake Norman, Clarke Creek, and smaller streams; and brown contour lines quietly model the undulating Piedmont surface beneath human development.
Lake Norman is the most prominent natural and cultural presence associated with this map, shaping settlement, recreation, transportation, and regional identity. Created in the 1960s by the damming of the Catawba River, the lake transformed the northern Mecklenburg and southern Iredell County landscape, drawing residential growth and leisure development to its shoreline. Though the map focuses on the Cornelius-Davidson area rather than the entire reservoir, the influence of the lake is unmistakable in the orientation of roads, neighborhoods, and open spaces. Nearby creeks and drainage lines, including Clarke Creek, reveal the smaller hydrological systems that feed the broader watershed, while coves, stream valleys, and low ridges show how water and topography guided patterns of habitation.
Davidson’s appearance on the map is particularly evocative, reflecting a community known for Davidson College and for a compact, historically rooted town center. The map records not only streets and built-up areas, but also the relationship between the town, its rail line, and the surrounding countryside. Railways, roads, and highways trace layers of mobility: older transportation corridors tied to agriculture and trade, and newer routes responding to suburban expansion and commuting patterns into Charlotte. Huntersville and Cornelius, meanwhile, appear as growing nodes within a rapidly changing metropolitan edge. Seen today, the map offers a valuable mid-1990s baseline, before further waves of development reshaped much of the Lake Norman corridor.
The topographic character of the western Piedmont is rendered with quiet sophistication through contour lines that distinguish hills, shallow valleys, stream courses, and gently rolling uplands. This is not a dramatic mountain map, but its subtle terrain is precisely what makes it compelling: elevation changes influence road alignments, drainage, green spaces, and the placement of neighborhoods. Parks and vegetated areas stand out amid expanding urban fabric, suggesting the interplay between planned development and preserved landscape. As a historical document, “Cornelius” captures a region in transition, where college-town traditions, lakefront growth, transportation infrastructure, and Piedmont landforms converge. It is a map of measured detail, but also of transformation, recording the geography of a community on the cusp of profound change.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Davidson, NC
- Lake Norman
- Clarke Creek
- Huntersville, NC
- Cornelius, NC
- Major roads and highways
- Railways
- Parks and green spaces
- Bodies of water and streams
- Residential areas and commercial districts
- Hills and valleys
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the US Geological Survey (USGS)
- Historical 1:24,000 topographical map showing Davidson, North Carolina and surrounding areas
- Dated 1993 with a 1996 imprint
- Uses survey data from 1993
- Features Davidson, North Carolina, known for its proximity to Lake Norman and its college town atmosphere
- USGS is a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for accurate mapping and geological surveys
- Uses a standard USGS topographical color scheme, including green for elevation and relief and pink for urbanized areas
- Shows varying elevations and terrain features through contour lines
- Illustrates the western Piedmont region of North Carolina
- Provides a mid-1990s historical snapshot useful for understanding regional development and land use change
Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.
Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.
Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.
Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.
This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.
For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.
Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.
Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.
We make orders locally in 24 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.
- We can deliver directly to the recipient
- Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
- Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
- Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
- 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide
If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.
Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.
We print and frame maps and artwork in 24 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.
Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.
Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.
Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.
If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.
Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.
Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.
Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.
We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.
Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.
Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.
All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.
If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.
We work with interior designers, hospitality businesses, property professionals, offices and corporate buyers on individual pieces and larger coordinated projects.
This map can be adapted for a particular wall, room or project, and our workshop can help coordinate the dimensions, material and framing before production.
- Exact, oversized and made-to-measure dimensions
- Custom framing, mounting and alternative materials
- Coordinated pieces for several rooms or locations
- Map personalisation, to mark important locations or add extra details
- Map and framing guidance from our workshop
- Local production for projects around the world
Every Unique Maps piece begins with an authentic cartographic source or an original design from our London studio.
For our historic maps, we source rare originals from libraries, archives, auction houses and private collections around the world. We carefully restore each map for print—repairing age-related damage, balancing colour and improving clarity while preserving its original detail, texture and character.
Once restored, the map is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.
Our map prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks, creating a rich, non-glossy finish designed to last. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
Canvas, cotton-rag and other specialist presentations are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.
Personalising your map
You can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. For personalised designs, we send a proof before printing and you can request changes before approval.
For more complex bespoke commissions, contact our design team.
Original or Aged
Choose Original for true-to-source colour, or Aged for a warmer, richer antique character created with our specialist ageing process. See examples of our Aged maps.
We’ve been restoring and producing maps and art prints since 1984, and we stand behind every piece.
Every order is covered by our 10-year guarantee and damage-free delivery guarantee. If your piece arrives damaged, we’ll replace or remake it free of charge. If anything else isn’t right, contact our workshop team and we’ll put it right promptly.
See our returns and refund policy for full details.
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