Rare Old Map of Lake Charles, Louisiana by USGS, 1955: Calcasieu River & Calcasieu Lake
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1968 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 1968 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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Published in 1968 using survey data collected in 1955, the “Lake Charles Quadrangle” captures a pivotal mid-century moment in southwestern Louisiana’s urban...
Continue readingPublished in 1968 using survey data collected in 1955, the “Lake Charles Quadrangle” captures a pivotal mid-century moment in southwestern Louisiana’s urban and natural landscape. Created at the detailed 1:24,000 scale, it centers on Lake Charles, a city shaped by waterways, industry, transportation, and the low-relief coastal plain. The map records the dense street grid and expanding neighborhoods of the city while also preserving the surrounding wetlands, water bodies, and open ground that defined its setting. Its historical value lies in this precise intersection of civic growth and environmental geography, offering a measured portrait of Lake Charles before later decades of suburban expansion, highway development, and industrial transformation altered the region’s appearance.
The United States Geological Survey, responsible for this quadrangle, brought to the map its characteristic blend of scientific precision and cartographic clarity. Founded in the late nineteenth century, the USGS became the nation’s foremost authority on topographic mapping, producing standardized quadrangles that documented the American landscape with remarkable consistency. In this Lake Charles sheet, contour lines, hydrography, roads, built-up areas, and land-use distinctions are arranged with the quiet authority of a technical survey, yet the result is visually engaging. The red, pink, and green palette gives the map an unexpectedly vivid character, distinguishing urban fabric, vegetation, and mapped features in a way that is both functional and aesthetically distinctive.
Lake Charles itself appears as the map’s commanding focal point, its streets, neighborhoods, and transportation routes revealing the structure of a regional Louisiana city in the 1950s. The presence of Lake Charles Municipal Airport points to the growing importance of modern mobility and infrastructure during the postwar period, while the mapped road network shows the connective tissue between the urban core and its outlying districts. Parks and green spaces break up the denser pattern of streets, offering glimpses of civic planning and local recreation. Seen today, these details form a valuable historical record of how the city was organized before subsequent phases of metropolitan growth reshaped its margins.
Water gives the quadrangle much of its geographic drama. The Calcasieu River, one of the defining features of the region, ties Lake Charles to the broader coastal system of southwestern Louisiana, linking city, industry, marsh, lake, and gulfward navigation. Nearby Calcasieu Lake and associated waterways speak to the area’s identity as a landscape of channels, shorelines, and low-lying terrain. On a topographic map, even subtle changes in elevation matter, and the contour lines here reveal the gentle relief typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain. The result is a map that conveys not mountain grandeur, but the quieter complexity of water-shaped land.
As a historical document, the “Lake Charles Quadrangle” offers more than location; it preserves a layered snapshot of mid-twentieth-century land use. The balance between built environment and natural setting is especially compelling, showing streets and civic infrastructure alongside waterways, open land, parks, and the subdued topography of coastal Louisiana. Its color scheme gives the sheet a period-specific charm while helping to decode the landscape with immediacy. For collectors, historians, or anyone with a connection to Lake Charles, this map evokes a city in transition: modernizing, spreading outward, yet still deeply bound to the Calcasieu River, surrounding lakes, and the distinctive geography of Louisiana’s southwest coast.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Lake Charles
- Louisiana
- Calcasieu River
- Calcasieu Lake
- Lake Charles Municipal Airport
- Various neighborhoods within Lake Charles
- Streets and roadways depicted in the urban area
- Green spaces and parks indicated by color differentiation
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical 1:24,000 topographical map shows Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the surrounding area.
- The map is dated 1955 and carries a 1968 imprint.
- Survey data was collected in 1955 and published in 1968.
- Created by the US Geological Survey, a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for mapping, geology, and natural resources.
- The map uses shades of red, pink, and green to represent land use and topographical features.
- Contour lines delineate elevation changes, characteristic of topographical maps.
- The map shows both urban and natural landscapes, including roads, water bodies, and regional elevation changes.
- Its 1955 survey origins provide insight into mid-20th-century development, land use, urban expansion, and infrastructure in the Lake Charles area.
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 1968 using survey data collected in 1955, the “Lake Charles Quadrangle” captures a pivotal mid-century moment in southwestern Louisiana’s urban and natural landscape. Created at the detailed 1:24,000 scale, it centers on Lake Charles, a city shaped by waterways, industry, transportation, and the low-relief coastal plain. The map records the dense street grid and expanding neighborhoods of the city while also preserving the surrounding wetlands, water bodies, and open ground that defined its setting. Its historical value lies in this precise intersection of civic growth and environmental geography, offering a measured portrait of Lake Charles before later decades of suburban expansion, highway development, and industrial transformation altered the region’s appearance.
The United States Geological Survey, responsible for this quadrangle, brought to the map its characteristic blend of scientific precision and cartographic clarity. Founded in the late nineteenth century, the USGS became the nation’s foremost authority on topographic mapping, producing standardized quadrangles that documented the American landscape with remarkable consistency. In this Lake Charles sheet, contour lines, hydrography, roads, built-up areas, and land-use distinctions are arranged with the quiet authority of a technical survey, yet the result is visually engaging. The red, pink, and green palette gives the map an unexpectedly vivid character, distinguishing urban fabric, vegetation, and mapped features in a way that is both functional and aesthetically distinctive.
Lake Charles itself appears as the map’s commanding focal point, its streets, neighborhoods, and transportation routes revealing the structure of a regional Louisiana city in the 1950s. The presence of Lake Charles Municipal Airport points to the growing importance of modern mobility and infrastructure during the postwar period, while the mapped road network shows the connective tissue between the urban core and its outlying districts. Parks and green spaces break up the denser pattern of streets, offering glimpses of civic planning and local recreation. Seen today, these details form a valuable historical record of how the city was organized before subsequent phases of metropolitan growth reshaped its margins.
Water gives the quadrangle much of its geographic drama. The Calcasieu River, one of the defining features of the region, ties Lake Charles to the broader coastal system of southwestern Louisiana, linking city, industry, marsh, lake, and gulfward navigation. Nearby Calcasieu Lake and associated waterways speak to the area’s identity as a landscape of channels, shorelines, and low-lying terrain. On a topographic map, even subtle changes in elevation matter, and the contour lines here reveal the gentle relief typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain. The result is a map that conveys not mountain grandeur, but the quieter complexity of water-shaped land.
As a historical document, the “Lake Charles Quadrangle” offers more than location; it preserves a layered snapshot of mid-twentieth-century land use. The balance between built environment and natural setting is especially compelling, showing streets and civic infrastructure alongside waterways, open land, parks, and the subdued topography of coastal Louisiana. Its color scheme gives the sheet a period-specific charm while helping to decode the landscape with immediacy. For collectors, historians, or anyone with a connection to Lake Charles, this map evokes a city in transition: modernizing, spreading outward, yet still deeply bound to the Calcasieu River, surrounding lakes, and the distinctive geography of Louisiana’s southwest coast.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Lake Charles
- Louisiana
- Calcasieu River
- Calcasieu Lake
- Lake Charles Municipal Airport
- Various neighborhoods within Lake Charles
- Streets and roadways depicted in the urban area
- Green spaces and parks indicated by color differentiation
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical 1:24,000 topographical map shows Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the surrounding area.
- The map is dated 1955 and carries a 1968 imprint.
- Survey data was collected in 1955 and published in 1968.
- Created by the US Geological Survey, a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for mapping, geology, and natural resources.
- The map uses shades of red, pink, and green to represent land use and topographical features.
- Contour lines delineate elevation changes, characteristic of topographical maps.
- The map shows both urban and natural landscapes, including roads, water bodies, and regional elevation changes.
- Its 1955 survey origins provide insight into mid-20th-century development, land use, urban expansion, and infrastructure in the Lake Charles area.
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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