Published in 1968 from survey data gathered in 1944, the USGS quadrangle titled “Bomoseen” presents a mid-century portrait of one of Vermont’s most beloved lake districts. At 1:24,000 scale, the map centers on Lake Bomoseen, the largest lake entirely within Vermont, and traces the surrounding terrain with the precision and restraint characteristic of United States Geological Survey cartography. Its classic topographic language—fine contour lines, carefully differentiated roads, streams, ponds, wooded areas, and built features—offers both scientific clarity and quiet visual elegance. The result is a richly detailed record of the Castleton region as it stood in the 1940s, later formalized for public use in the 1960s.

Lake Bomoseen dominates the composition, its irregular shoreline giving structure to the map’s network of hills, valleys, roads, and settlements. Nearby Black Pond, Little Lake, Long Pond, and numerous unnamed ponds and streams emphasize the watery character of this Vermont landscape, where glacially shaped basins and low ridges create a terrain of subtle complexity. The Castleton River winds through the area, linking the map’s hydrological features and helping define the valleys that guided settlement and transportation. Around the lake, roads are clearly marked, revealing the recreational and residential patterns that had begun to shape the region by the mid-twentieth century.

The surrounding towns and localities—Castleton, West Castleton, Chittenden, and neighboring rural settlements—are shown within a landscape that remains deeply tied to elevation and water. Castleton, one of Vermont’s historic communities, anchors the map with its roads, clustered development, and proximity to both lake and river corridors. West Castleton appears amid quieter terrain, where contours and smaller waterways suggest a more rural pattern of farms, woods, and low hills. The map’s careful depiction of named and unnamed features gives it particular appeal: it does not merely locate communities, but situates them within the physical forces that shaped everyday life in this part of Rutland County.

Bomoseen State Park is among the most evocative features represented, reflecting the growing importance of conservation and outdoor recreation in twentieth-century Vermont. Established on former industrial and quarry lands near the lake, the park speaks to a broader transformation of the region from extractive and agricultural uses toward leisure, preservation, and public enjoyment. On the map, its setting is immediately legible: wooded slopes, lake access, nearby ponds, and connecting roads combine to show why this area became a favored destination for camping, boating, hiking, and seasonal retreat. The contours around the park also reveal the hilly terrain that gives the Bomoseen landscape its distinctive enclosed, intimate character.

Produced by the United States Geological Survey, this map belongs to a cartographic tradition prized for accuracy, consistency, and understated beauty. Since the late nineteenth century, USGS topographic maps have served geologists, planners, engineers, hikers, landowners, and historians, translating the American landscape into a standardized visual language. In “Bomoseen,” that language captures a particular historical moment: a Vermont lake region before many later changes in shoreline development, infrastructure, land use, and environmental management. Its green-toned treatment of vegetation and water, combined with meticulous contouring, makes the map both an analytical document and a compelling historical image—an elegant record of place, terrain, and time.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Lake Bomoseen
• Bomoseen State Park
• Castleton
• Chittenden
• West Castleton
• Castleton River
• Black Pond
• Little Lake
• Long Pond
• Various unnamed ponds and streams
• Roads
• Reservoirs
• Nearby hills and valleys

Historical context & cartographic details

• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Lake Bomoseen, Vermont and the surrounding area
• Based on survey data collected in 1944 and published in 1968
• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
• The USGS is known for reliable topographic maps used in outdoor recreation, urban planning, and scientific research
• Uses a classic USGS topographic style with contour lines to show elevation changes
• Features a green color scheme to represent vegetation, with water features clearly shown
• Depicts hilly terrain around Lake Bomoseen with varying elevation levels
• Shows both natural and man-made features typical of mid-20th-century USGS mapping
• Captures the geographical layout of the area in the mid-20th century, before later development and environmental changes

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.