Rare Old Map of Great Barrington, Massachusetts by USGS, 1958: Monterey & Housatonic River
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1958 map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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.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 1958 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.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
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Titled “Great Barrington,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographic map presents one of the most beloved corners of the southern Berkshires, published in...
Continue readingTitled “Great Barrington,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographic map presents one of the most beloved corners of the southern Berkshires, published in 1958 using survey data gathered in 1946. That interval gives the sheet a layered historical character: it records a landscape measured just after World War II and formalized during the prosperous, infrastructure-minded 1950s. At 1:24,000 scale, the map offers an intimate view of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and its surrounding hills, valleys, roads, streams, ponds, and settled places. The result is both scientifically precise and quietly evocative—a portrait of a New England town poised between rural inheritance, postwar development, and the enduring natural drama of the Berkshire uplands.
The U.S. Geological Survey, established in 1879, became the great national authority on systematic topographic mapping, producing maps that served engineers, planners, scientists, land managers, hikers, and local communities alike. Its quadrangle maps transformed American geography into a legible, standardized visual language: contours for elevation, blue hydrology for rivers and ponds, green shading for wooded land, and carefully classified roads, trails, buildings, and boundaries. In this “Great Barrington” sheet, that tradition is on full display. The map is not merely a navigational tool, but a record of federal cartographic discipline, reflecting the USGS mission to document the nation’s physical form with accuracy, consistency, and an understated aesthetic elegance.
Great Barrington itself sits prominently within the map, a cultural and commercial center of the Berkshires long admired for its lively village character, scenic setting, and historic architecture. The surrounding area includes Monterey and a constellation of rural roads, fields, wooded slopes, streams, ponds, and small settlements that give the region its distinctive texture. The Housatonic River is a central presence, threading through the valley and helping to define the geography of movement, settlement, and industry. Roads and trails radiate across the sheet, linking village centers with farmsteads, forested uplands, lakes, and lowland corridors, revealing the close relationship between topography and human occupation.
The map’s most compelling visual feature is its topographic character: a refined network of contour lines describing the rolling hills and valleys typical of the Berkshires. Elevation changes are rendered with regular intervals, allowing the viewer to read the rise and fall of the land almost intuitively. Hills gather in nested rings of contour, valleys open into gentler spacing, and watercourses carve through the terrain in blue. The greens and bluish tones create a restrained but expressive palette, distinguishing forest, open ground, rivers, ponds, and lakes without overwhelming the precision of the linework. It is a landscape made both measurable and beautiful.
Historically, the map captures Great Barrington and its environs at a revealing moment. The 1946 survey data reflects a postwar landscape in which older agricultural patterns, village roads, river corridors, and forested hills remained highly visible, while the 1958 publication date places the map within an era of expanding automobile travel, suburban pressure, and renewed recreational interest in mountain and lake country. Comparing this sheet with contemporary maps would illuminate changes in land use, road networks, development, conservation, and the preservation of natural areas. As a historical document, it records not only terrain, but the balance between settlement and wilderness that has long defined the Berkshire identity.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Great Barrington
- Monterey
- Housatonic River
- Lakes
- Roads and trails
- Forested areas and open fields
- Streams and ponds
- Parks, if annotated
- Nearby valleys and hills
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, known for its long-running program of detailed topographic mapping.
- Historical topographical map at a scale of 1:24,000.
- Survey data was collected in 1946, with a 1958 imprint.
- Shows Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and the surrounding Berkshire landscape.
- Uses a traditional USGS topographic style with contour lines to represent elevation.
- Features shading, a clear legend, green tones for land, and bluish tones for water bodies.
- Reflects rolling Berkshire terrain with visible elevation changes.
- Captures a post-World War II landscape, useful for comparing changes in land use, urban expansion, and natural-area preservation.
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.
Titled “Great Barrington,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographic map presents one of the most beloved corners of the southern Berkshires, published in 1958 using survey data gathered in 1946. That interval gives the sheet a layered historical character: it records a landscape measured just after World War II and formalized during the prosperous, infrastructure-minded 1950s. At 1:24,000 scale, the map offers an intimate view of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and its surrounding hills, valleys, roads, streams, ponds, and settled places. The result is both scientifically precise and quietly evocative—a portrait of a New England town poised between rural inheritance, postwar development, and the enduring natural drama of the Berkshire uplands.
The U.S. Geological Survey, established in 1879, became the great national authority on systematic topographic mapping, producing maps that served engineers, planners, scientists, land managers, hikers, and local communities alike. Its quadrangle maps transformed American geography into a legible, standardized visual language: contours for elevation, blue hydrology for rivers and ponds, green shading for wooded land, and carefully classified roads, trails, buildings, and boundaries. In this “Great Barrington” sheet, that tradition is on full display. The map is not merely a navigational tool, but a record of federal cartographic discipline, reflecting the USGS mission to document the nation’s physical form with accuracy, consistency, and an understated aesthetic elegance.
Great Barrington itself sits prominently within the map, a cultural and commercial center of the Berkshires long admired for its lively village character, scenic setting, and historic architecture. The surrounding area includes Monterey and a constellation of rural roads, fields, wooded slopes, streams, ponds, and small settlements that give the region its distinctive texture. The Housatonic River is a central presence, threading through the valley and helping to define the geography of movement, settlement, and industry. Roads and trails radiate across the sheet, linking village centers with farmsteads, forested uplands, lakes, and lowland corridors, revealing the close relationship between topography and human occupation.
The map’s most compelling visual feature is its topographic character: a refined network of contour lines describing the rolling hills and valleys typical of the Berkshires. Elevation changes are rendered with regular intervals, allowing the viewer to read the rise and fall of the land almost intuitively. Hills gather in nested rings of contour, valleys open into gentler spacing, and watercourses carve through the terrain in blue. The greens and bluish tones create a restrained but expressive palette, distinguishing forest, open ground, rivers, ponds, and lakes without overwhelming the precision of the linework. It is a landscape made both measurable and beautiful.
Historically, the map captures Great Barrington and its environs at a revealing moment. The 1946 survey data reflects a postwar landscape in which older agricultural patterns, village roads, river corridors, and forested hills remained highly visible, while the 1958 publication date places the map within an era of expanding automobile travel, suburban pressure, and renewed recreational interest in mountain and lake country. Comparing this sheet with contemporary maps would illuminate changes in land use, road networks, development, conservation, and the preservation of natural areas. As a historical document, it records not only terrain, but the balance between settlement and wilderness that has long defined the Berkshire identity.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Great Barrington
- Monterey
- Housatonic River
- Lakes
- Roads and trails
- Forested areas and open fields
- Streams and ponds
- Parks, if annotated
- Nearby valleys and hills
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, known for its long-running program of detailed topographic mapping.
- Historical topographical map at a scale of 1:24,000.
- Survey data was collected in 1946, with a 1958 imprint.
- Shows Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and the surrounding Berkshire landscape.
- Uses a traditional USGS topographic style with contour lines to represent elevation.
- Features shading, a clear legend, green tones for land, and bluish tones for water bodies.
- Reflects rolling Berkshire terrain with visible elevation changes.
- Captures a post-World War II landscape, useful for comparing changes in land use, urban expansion, and natural-area preservation.
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 23 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 23 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.
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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