Published in 1964 from 1963 survey work, the United States Geological Survey’s “La Crosse Quadrangle” presents a precise and evocative portrait of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and its Mississippi River setting at a pivotal moment in the early 1960s. Drawn at the detailed 1:24,000 scale, the map captures the city’s streets, neighborhoods, transportation corridors, surrounding agricultural land, and the dramatic terrain that frames this river community. The original title is elegantly utilitarian, in the USGS tradition, yet the sheet itself is rich with information: a disciplined topographic record of an American city shaped by water, commerce, elevation, and regional movement between Wisconsin and the broader Upper Mississippi Valley.

La Crosse occupies a remarkable position on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, where river flats, ridges, and coulees combine to form one of the most distinctive landscapes in western Wisconsin. The map gives visual prominence to the Mississippi, not merely as a boundary or watercourse, but as the defining geographic force in the region. Its channels, lowlands, and adjacent routes reveal why La Crosse developed as a significant settlement and transportation hub. North La Crosse and the city’s residential districts appear within a wider setting of ridges, valleys, parks, and cultivated land, offering a layered view of urban life meeting the natural architecture of the river valley.

The cartographic language of the USGS is especially compelling here. Fine contour lines articulate the undulating terrain, transforming hills, valleys, and river bluffs into a legible pattern of elevation and descent. The map’s color scheme distinguishes water, vegetation, built areas, roads, and relief with clarity, while still retaining the restrained beauty associated with mid-century federal cartography. Around La Crosse, the contours tighten and loosen in response to the landscape, making the surrounding ridges and valleys visually apparent. For collectors, this is the kind of topographic sheet that rewards close study: every road bend, slope, drainage, and settlement edge contributes to a measured portrait of place.

Produced by the United States Geological Survey, the map reflects the agency’s long-standing mission to document the nation’s terrain with scientific accuracy. USGS topographic maps were indispensable tools for engineers, planners, hikers, conservationists, local governments, and military and civil authorities alike. In the postwar decades, as American cities expanded and infrastructure networks intensified, such maps became essential records of land use and development. The “La Crosse Quadrangle” belongs to that tradition, recording the city and its environs before later decades of suburban growth, highway expansion, and environmental change altered the region’s appearance. It is both a practical survey and a historical artifact of American spatial knowledge.

As a historical snapshot, this map invites comparison between La Crosse in the early 1960s and the city today. Its depiction of highways, neighborhoods, agricultural sections, river margins, parks, and natural reserves reveals a community balanced between urban growth and a powerful surrounding landscape. The Mississippi River corridor, nearby valleys, and ridge systems create a sense of enclosure and movement, showing how geography guided settlement patterns and transportation routes. For those with an interest in Wisconsin history, river cities, mid-century planning, or the artistry of topographic mapping, the “La Crosse Quadrangle” offers an exceptionally detailed view of a place where natural form and human development are inseparably intertwined.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• La Crosse, Wisconsin
• North La Crosse
• Mississippi River
• Interstates and highways visible in the area
• Various valleys and ridges indicated by contour lines
• Parks and natural reserves in and around La Crosse
• Landmarks potentially relevant to local history
• Neighborhoods and residential areas within La Crosse
• Sections designated for agricultural use

Historical context & cartographic details

• Published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map of La Crosse, Wisconsin and the surrounding area
• Dated 1963, with a 1964 imprint
• Produced by the USGS, a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for reliable mapping of natural resources, hazards, and land conditions
• USGS topographical maps were valuable for navigation, land use planning, and geographic reference
• Prominently features La Crosse, a city situated along the Mississippi River
• Uses a distinctive color scheme to show elevations and geographic features
• Includes contour lines indicating terrain changes, hills, valleys, and ridges
• Provides a historical snapshot of La Crosse and its surroundings in the early 1960s
• Useful for comparing past and present urban development, land use, and environmental 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.