Rare Old Map of Manhattan, Kansas by USGS, 1950: Kansas State College & Kansas River
Restored in our London workshop from the original 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
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe. 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.
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Published in 1950 by the United States Geological Survey, “Manhattan” presents the city of Manhattan, Kansas, and its surrounding country at the...
Continue readingPublished in 1950 by the United States Geological Survey, “Manhattan” presents the city of Manhattan, Kansas, and its surrounding country at the exacting 1:24,000 scale associated with mid-century American topographic mapping. The sheet captures a community poised between prairie town, university center, and riverine landscape, with the populated core distinguished in pink and the surrounding terrain articulated through precise contour lines. Manhattan’s gridded streets, neighborhood patterns, roads, rail or transport corridors, and open lands are set within a broader framework of hills, valleys, and river bottoms. As both a scientific document and a portrait of place, the map records the city at a revealing moment in its postwar development.
The United States Geological Survey brought to this map the institutional rigor that made its quadrangles indispensable to engineers, planners, geologists, soldiers, travelers, and local officials. Founded to study and describe the nation’s terrain, water, resources, and geological processes, the USGS developed a cartographic language that balanced clarity with remarkable density of information. On “Manhattan,” that language is especially effective: section lines and grid divisions help organize the landscape, while roads, drainage, buildings, and elevation data allow the viewer to read both human settlement and natural form. The result is a disciplined yet evocative depiction, where scientific measurement becomes a visual history of a Kansas city and its environs.
At the heart of the map lies Manhattan itself, home to Kansas State College, now Kansas State University. The campus appears as one of the defining features of the city, anchoring Manhattan’s identity as an educational and agricultural research center in the Flint Hills region. In 1950, the college was already a major presence, shaping the street network, local economy, and rhythms of urban growth. The map’s depiction of the institution and its surrounding neighborhoods offers a compelling glimpse of the city before later decades of expansion transformed its edges. For anyone interested in collegiate towns, regional planning, or Kansas history, this sheet preserves a formative stage in Manhattan’s modern landscape.
The surrounding topography gives the map much of its character. Contour lines reveal the rise and fall of the land, marking the hills, draws, and valley slopes that frame Manhattan and distinguish this part of northeastern Kansas. The Kansas River runs as a major geographic presence, its valley shaping routes, settlement, and land use, while the Blue River adds another important hydrological feature to the scene. These waterways are not merely decorative; they explain the placement of roads, the openness of lowland areas, and the relationship between the town and its natural setting. The nearby locality of Shellard and other rural features further situate Manhattan within a working regional landscape.
As a historical document, the 1950 “Manhattan” quadrangle invites comparison with the city known today. Its pink urban areas show the extent of mid-century settlement, while the surrounding open land hints at future subdivisions, institutional growth, and changing patterns of transportation and land use. Parks, undeveloped tracts, rural roads, and sectioned farmland speak to a landscape still closely tied to agriculture and topography, even as the city’s modern form was emerging. The map’s combination of civic detail and physical geography makes it especially compelling: it is at once a record of streets and structures, a study of rivers and relief, and a snapshot of Manhattan, Kansas, at a pivotal point in its twentieth-century evolution.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Manhattan, Kansas
- Kansas State College (Kansas State University)
- Kansas River
- Blue River
- Shellard
- Areas indicated by contour lines showing various elevations
- Roads and transport routes
- Grid sections for navigation purposes
- Neighborhood layouts within Manhattan
- Parks and open land as indicated on the map
Historical context & cartographic details
- Map title: Manhattan
- Produced by the United States Geological Survey
- Published in 1950
- Scale: 1:24,000
- Historical topographical map of Manhattan, Kansas, and the surrounding area
- The US Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the U.S. government that provides reliable information about the Earth, its resources, and natural processes
- Features detailed contour lines to show elevation changes
- Uses a distinct color scheme, including pink for populated areas
- Shows varied topography, including hills, valleys, and river features
- Offers insight into the landscape and urban development of Manhattan, including urban expansion and land-use changes since 1950
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 1950 by the United States Geological Survey, “Manhattan” presents the city of Manhattan, Kansas, and its surrounding country at the exacting 1:24,000 scale associated with mid-century American topographic mapping. The sheet captures a community poised between prairie town, university center, and riverine landscape, with the populated core distinguished in pink and the surrounding terrain articulated through precise contour lines. Manhattan’s gridded streets, neighborhood patterns, roads, rail or transport corridors, and open lands are set within a broader framework of hills, valleys, and river bottoms. As both a scientific document and a portrait of place, the map records the city at a revealing moment in its postwar development.
The United States Geological Survey brought to this map the institutional rigor that made its quadrangles indispensable to engineers, planners, geologists, soldiers, travelers, and local officials. Founded to study and describe the nation’s terrain, water, resources, and geological processes, the USGS developed a cartographic language that balanced clarity with remarkable density of information. On “Manhattan,” that language is especially effective: section lines and grid divisions help organize the landscape, while roads, drainage, buildings, and elevation data allow the viewer to read both human settlement and natural form. The result is a disciplined yet evocative depiction, where scientific measurement becomes a visual history of a Kansas city and its environs.
At the heart of the map lies Manhattan itself, home to Kansas State College, now Kansas State University. The campus appears as one of the defining features of the city, anchoring Manhattan’s identity as an educational and agricultural research center in the Flint Hills region. In 1950, the college was already a major presence, shaping the street network, local economy, and rhythms of urban growth. The map’s depiction of the institution and its surrounding neighborhoods offers a compelling glimpse of the city before later decades of expansion transformed its edges. For anyone interested in collegiate towns, regional planning, or Kansas history, this sheet preserves a formative stage in Manhattan’s modern landscape.
The surrounding topography gives the map much of its character. Contour lines reveal the rise and fall of the land, marking the hills, draws, and valley slopes that frame Manhattan and distinguish this part of northeastern Kansas. The Kansas River runs as a major geographic presence, its valley shaping routes, settlement, and land use, while the Blue River adds another important hydrological feature to the scene. These waterways are not merely decorative; they explain the placement of roads, the openness of lowland areas, and the relationship between the town and its natural setting. The nearby locality of Shellard and other rural features further situate Manhattan within a working regional landscape.
As a historical document, the 1950 “Manhattan” quadrangle invites comparison with the city known today. Its pink urban areas show the extent of mid-century settlement, while the surrounding open land hints at future subdivisions, institutional growth, and changing patterns of transportation and land use. Parks, undeveloped tracts, rural roads, and sectioned farmland speak to a landscape still closely tied to agriculture and topography, even as the city’s modern form was emerging. The map’s combination of civic detail and physical geography makes it especially compelling: it is at once a record of streets and structures, a study of rivers and relief, and a snapshot of Manhattan, Kansas, at a pivotal point in its twentieth-century evolution.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Manhattan, Kansas
- Kansas State College (Kansas State University)
- Kansas River
- Blue River
- Shellard
- Areas indicated by contour lines showing various elevations
- Roads and transport routes
- Grid sections for navigation purposes
- Neighborhood layouts within Manhattan
- Parks and open land as indicated on the map
Historical context & cartographic details
- Map title: Manhattan
- Produced by the United States Geological Survey
- Published in 1950
- Scale: 1:24,000
- Historical topographical map of Manhattan, Kansas, and the surrounding area
- The US Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the U.S. government that provides reliable information about the Earth, its resources, and natural processes
- Features detailed contour lines to show elevation changes
- Uses a distinct color scheme, including pink for populated areas
- Shows varied topography, including hills, valleys, and river features
- Offers insight into the landscape and urban development of Manhattan, including urban expansion and land-use changes since 1950
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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