Rare Old Map of Cold Spring, New York by USGS, 1962: Hudson River, West Point & Breakneck Ridge
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1964 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 the USA
Restored from the original 1964 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 1964 from 1962 survey work, the US Geological Survey’s “Red House” presents Cold Spring, New York, and its dramatic Hudson...
Continue readingPublished in 1964 from 1962 survey work, the US Geological Survey’s “Red House” presents Cold Spring, New York, and its dramatic Hudson Highlands setting at the detailed 1:24,000 scale. The title itself evokes the local specificity of the quadrangle system, in which modest place names anchor a richly observed landscape. Here, the eye is drawn immediately to the Hudson River corridor, where steep ridges, wooded slopes, creeks, roads, and settlements meet in one of the most picturesque regions of the lower Hudson Valley. Cold Spring appears not merely as a village, but as part of a wider topographic composition shaped by water, elevation, transportation, and the long historical pull of the river.
The map bears the disciplined elegance associated with the US Geological Survey, an institution founded in 1879 and central to America’s scientific understanding of terrain, natural resources, and land use. USGS topographic maps are admired for their clarity: green woodland tints, blue waterways, black cultural features, and brown contour lines combine into a highly legible portrait of the land. On “Red House,” that language is especially effective, translating the rugged character of the Hudson Highlands into precise visual form. Contours gather tightly around high ground such as Breakneck Ridge, Mount Beacon, and Mount Storm King, while valleys and stream corridors open into gentler patterns, revealing how settlement and movement follow the terrain.
The geography shown is unusually dramatic for a map of the New York metropolitan hinterland. The Hudson River forms the great organizing feature, broad and commanding, with Little Stony Point and the heights above Cold Spring emphasizing the region’s celebrated contrast between water and mountain. Breakneck Ridge rises sharply near the river, its name well suited to the severe contouring that defines it, while Mount Beacon and Mount Storm King signal the larger highland system surrounding the river gorge. Inland, Lake Canopus, Indian Brook, Fishkill Creek, and the Croton River add a more intimate hydrological network, threading through wooded hills and lowland passages with quiet precision.
Human geography is mapped with equal care, capturing an early-1960s moment in the region’s development. Route 9D traces the Hudson-side route through Cold Spring and the highlands, while Clove Road, Brook Road, and Old State Road record older local patterns of travel across a difficult landscape. West Point appears nearby as a powerful historical presence, tying the map to the military and strategic importance of the Hudson River. The Appalachian Trail and Fahnestock State Park reveal another layer of meaning: this is not only a settled and traversed region, but also a landscape increasingly valued for recreation, conservation, and scenic preservation.
As a historical document, “Red House” preserves the Hudson Highlands just before later decades of suburban expansion, environmental regulation, and renewed heritage tourism reshaped the area’s identity. Its depiction of Cold Spring, surrounding roads, waterways, ridgelines, and parklands offers a valuable comparison point for changes in land use and conservation priorities since the 1960s. The map’s beauty lies in the balance between scientific exactitude and regional atmosphere: every contour line is data, yet together they create a vivid sense of place. For collectors, it is a compelling example of mid-twentieth-century USGS cartography focused on one of New York’s most storied river landscapes.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Cold Spring
- Mount Beacon
- Fishkill Creek
- Route 9D
- Lake Canopus
- Indian Brook
- Little Stony Point
- Breakneck Ridge
- Mount Storm King
- West Point
- Fahnestock State Park
- Hudson River
- Croton River
- Clove Road
- Spuyten Duyvil Creek
- Red House
- Brook Road
- Old State Road
- Appalachian Trail
Historical context & cartographic details
- Published by the US Geological Survey.
- Historical 1:24,000 topographical map dated 1962, with a 1964 imprint.
- Shows Cold Spring, New York, and the surrounding area, including geographical features and local infrastructure.
- The US Geological Survey, established in 1879, is known for mapping and studying the natural resources and topography of the United States.
- Uses a vibrant USGS color scheme, with green for land and terrain and blue for water bodies.
- Contour lines mark elevation changes, while road networks are clearly mapped.
- Depicts hilly and mountainous terrain, with rivers and lakes prominently shown.
- Serves as a historical record of the region’s geography before later land-use changes, urban development, and environmental conservation measures.
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 1964 from 1962 survey work, the US Geological Survey’s “Red House” presents Cold Spring, New York, and its dramatic Hudson Highlands setting at the detailed 1:24,000 scale. The title itself evokes the local specificity of the quadrangle system, in which modest place names anchor a richly observed landscape. Here, the eye is drawn immediately to the Hudson River corridor, where steep ridges, wooded slopes, creeks, roads, and settlements meet in one of the most picturesque regions of the lower Hudson Valley. Cold Spring appears not merely as a village, but as part of a wider topographic composition shaped by water, elevation, transportation, and the long historical pull of the river.
The map bears the disciplined elegance associated with the US Geological Survey, an institution founded in 1879 and central to America’s scientific understanding of terrain, natural resources, and land use. USGS topographic maps are admired for their clarity: green woodland tints, blue waterways, black cultural features, and brown contour lines combine into a highly legible portrait of the land. On “Red House,” that language is especially effective, translating the rugged character of the Hudson Highlands into precise visual form. Contours gather tightly around high ground such as Breakneck Ridge, Mount Beacon, and Mount Storm King, while valleys and stream corridors open into gentler patterns, revealing how settlement and movement follow the terrain.
The geography shown is unusually dramatic for a map of the New York metropolitan hinterland. The Hudson River forms the great organizing feature, broad and commanding, with Little Stony Point and the heights above Cold Spring emphasizing the region’s celebrated contrast between water and mountain. Breakneck Ridge rises sharply near the river, its name well suited to the severe contouring that defines it, while Mount Beacon and Mount Storm King signal the larger highland system surrounding the river gorge. Inland, Lake Canopus, Indian Brook, Fishkill Creek, and the Croton River add a more intimate hydrological network, threading through wooded hills and lowland passages with quiet precision.
Human geography is mapped with equal care, capturing an early-1960s moment in the region’s development. Route 9D traces the Hudson-side route through Cold Spring and the highlands, while Clove Road, Brook Road, and Old State Road record older local patterns of travel across a difficult landscape. West Point appears nearby as a powerful historical presence, tying the map to the military and strategic importance of the Hudson River. The Appalachian Trail and Fahnestock State Park reveal another layer of meaning: this is not only a settled and traversed region, but also a landscape increasingly valued for recreation, conservation, and scenic preservation.
As a historical document, “Red House” preserves the Hudson Highlands just before later decades of suburban expansion, environmental regulation, and renewed heritage tourism reshaped the area’s identity. Its depiction of Cold Spring, surrounding roads, waterways, ridgelines, and parklands offers a valuable comparison point for changes in land use and conservation priorities since the 1960s. The map’s beauty lies in the balance between scientific exactitude and regional atmosphere: every contour line is data, yet together they create a vivid sense of place. For collectors, it is a compelling example of mid-twentieth-century USGS cartography focused on one of New York’s most storied river landscapes.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Cold Spring
- Mount Beacon
- Fishkill Creek
- Route 9D
- Lake Canopus
- Indian Brook
- Little Stony Point
- Breakneck Ridge
- Mount Storm King
- West Point
- Fahnestock State Park
- Hudson River
- Croton River
- Clove Road
- Spuyten Duyvil Creek
- Red House
- Brook Road
- Old State Road
- Appalachian Trail
Historical context & cartographic details
- Published by the US Geological Survey.
- Historical 1:24,000 topographical map dated 1962, with a 1964 imprint.
- Shows Cold Spring, New York, and the surrounding area, including geographical features and local infrastructure.
- The US Geological Survey, established in 1879, is known for mapping and studying the natural resources and topography of the United States.
- Uses a vibrant USGS color scheme, with green for land and terrain and blue for water bodies.
- Contour lines mark elevation changes, while road networks are clearly mapped.
- Depicts hilly and mountainous terrain, with rivers and lakes prominently shown.
- Serves as a historical record of the region’s geography before later land-use changes, urban development, and environmental conservation measures.
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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