Rare Old Map of Sewanee, Tennessee by USGS, 1946: University of the South, Monteagle & Cowan
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1947 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 1947 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.
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Published in 1947 from survey data gathered in 1946, the United States Geological Survey quadrangle titled “Sewanee” captures a richly contoured portrait...
Continue readingPublished in 1947 from survey data gathered in 1946, the United States Geological Survey quadrangle titled “Sewanee” captures a richly contoured portrait of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau at mid-century. Made in collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority, the map presents Sewanee and its surrounding highland landscape at the precise 1:24,000 scale associated with the classic USGS topographical series. Its brown contour lines, green woodland tinting, and crisply drawn roads, railways, streams, and settlements reveal both the scientific rigor and visual elegance of American government cartography. This is a map of elevation as much as place: a careful rendering of a plateau community defined by ridges, coves, creeks, and the dramatic breaks in terrain that give the Sewanee region its distinctive character.
At the heart of the map is Sewanee, Tennessee, best known as the home of the University of the South, whose campus occupies one of the most storied positions on the Cumberland Plateau. Founded in the nineteenth century, the university helped shape the cultural and intellectual identity of this mountaintop community, and its presence gives the map a layer of institutional history beyond its geographic detail. Nearby roads such as Highland Road and Hargis Road trace patterns of access across the plateau, while Sewanee Lake and smaller watercourses mark the local hydrology. The map’s portrayal of the university town in 1946 offers a fascinating view of a place balanced between rural isolation, academic life, and expanding twentieth-century infrastructure.
The surrounding landscape is rendered with exceptional topographic sensitivity. Contour lines gather tightly along escarpments and hollows, opening more gently across flatter upland areas, allowing the viewer to read the Cumberland Plateau almost three-dimensionally. Big Creek and Little Creek carve through the terrain, their courses guided by the region’s rugged geology and elevation shifts. These details are not merely technical; they reveal how settlement, travel, and land use were shaped by the plateau’s natural architecture. The fine, systematic contouring highlights the cartographer’s ability to translate complex relief into legible form, making the map especially compelling for anyone interested in Appalachian landforms, Tennessee geography, or the relationship between human habitation and mountain terrain.
The map also situates Sewanee within a broader network of nearby communities and routes, including Monteagle, Cowan, Clifftops, and the roads and rail lines that connected the plateau to surrounding valleys and markets. Cowan, lying below the escarpment, historically served as an important railroad town, while Monteagle developed as a prominent gateway across the mountain. The inclusion of these places underscores the transitional nature of the region: part upland refuge, part transportation corridor, part academic enclave. Today, portions of this landscape are associated with the scenic expanses of South Cumberland State Park, but the map preserves an earlier moment, before many modern recreational and conservation identities had fully taken shape.
As a work of the United States Geological Survey, this “Sewanee” quadrangle belongs to one of America’s most important cartographic traditions. The USGS became renowned for producing dependable, scientifically grounded maps that supported engineering, conservation, military planning, land management, and everyday navigation. Its collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority adds further significance, linking the map to the era of regional planning and modernization that transformed much of the American South. Yet beyond its official purpose, the map is visually absorbing: a measured composition of terrain, settlement, vegetation, water, and infrastructure. It preserves Sewanee and the Cumberland Plateau in a precise historical instant, offering both a practical survey and an evocative record of place.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Sewanee, TN
- Clifftops
- University of the South
- South Cumberland State Park
- Monteagle, TN
- Cowan, TN
- Sewanee Lake
- Big Creek
- Little Creek
- Hargis Road
- Highland Road
- Nearby railroads and roads
Historical context & cartographic details
- Historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Sewanee, Tennessee and the surrounding area
- Based on survey data from 1946 and published in 1947
- Created by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority
- The USGS is a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for producing reliable geological and topographical maps of American landscapes
- Uses a classic USGS topographic color scheme, with brown contour lines for elevation and green shading for vegetation and landscape features
- Shows detailed elevation data, reflecting the hilly and mountainous terrain of the Cumberland Plateau region
- Provides a mid-20th-century historical record of land use, settlement patterns, roads, natural features, and regional development
- The finely detailed contour lines demonstrate a systematic approach to representing the varied topography of Sewanee and its surroundings
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 1947 from survey data gathered in 1946, the United States Geological Survey quadrangle titled “Sewanee” captures a richly contoured portrait of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau at mid-century. Made in collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority, the map presents Sewanee and its surrounding highland landscape at the precise 1:24,000 scale associated with the classic USGS topographical series. Its brown contour lines, green woodland tinting, and crisply drawn roads, railways, streams, and settlements reveal both the scientific rigor and visual elegance of American government cartography. This is a map of elevation as much as place: a careful rendering of a plateau community defined by ridges, coves, creeks, and the dramatic breaks in terrain that give the Sewanee region its distinctive character.
At the heart of the map is Sewanee, Tennessee, best known as the home of the University of the South, whose campus occupies one of the most storied positions on the Cumberland Plateau. Founded in the nineteenth century, the university helped shape the cultural and intellectual identity of this mountaintop community, and its presence gives the map a layer of institutional history beyond its geographic detail. Nearby roads such as Highland Road and Hargis Road trace patterns of access across the plateau, while Sewanee Lake and smaller watercourses mark the local hydrology. The map’s portrayal of the university town in 1946 offers a fascinating view of a place balanced between rural isolation, academic life, and expanding twentieth-century infrastructure.
The surrounding landscape is rendered with exceptional topographic sensitivity. Contour lines gather tightly along escarpments and hollows, opening more gently across flatter upland areas, allowing the viewer to read the Cumberland Plateau almost three-dimensionally. Big Creek and Little Creek carve through the terrain, their courses guided by the region’s rugged geology and elevation shifts. These details are not merely technical; they reveal how settlement, travel, and land use were shaped by the plateau’s natural architecture. The fine, systematic contouring highlights the cartographer’s ability to translate complex relief into legible form, making the map especially compelling for anyone interested in Appalachian landforms, Tennessee geography, or the relationship between human habitation and mountain terrain.
The map also situates Sewanee within a broader network of nearby communities and routes, including Monteagle, Cowan, Clifftops, and the roads and rail lines that connected the plateau to surrounding valleys and markets. Cowan, lying below the escarpment, historically served as an important railroad town, while Monteagle developed as a prominent gateway across the mountain. The inclusion of these places underscores the transitional nature of the region: part upland refuge, part transportation corridor, part academic enclave. Today, portions of this landscape are associated with the scenic expanses of South Cumberland State Park, but the map preserves an earlier moment, before many modern recreational and conservation identities had fully taken shape.
As a work of the United States Geological Survey, this “Sewanee” quadrangle belongs to one of America’s most important cartographic traditions. The USGS became renowned for producing dependable, scientifically grounded maps that supported engineering, conservation, military planning, land management, and everyday navigation. Its collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority adds further significance, linking the map to the era of regional planning and modernization that transformed much of the American South. Yet beyond its official purpose, the map is visually absorbing: a measured composition of terrain, settlement, vegetation, water, and infrastructure. It preserves Sewanee and the Cumberland Plateau in a precise historical instant, offering both a practical survey and an evocative record of place.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Sewanee, TN
- Clifftops
- University of the South
- South Cumberland State Park
- Monteagle, TN
- Cowan, TN
- Sewanee Lake
- Big Creek
- Little Creek
- Hargis Road
- Highland Road
- Nearby railroads and roads
Historical context & cartographic details
- Historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Sewanee, Tennessee and the surrounding area
- Based on survey data from 1946 and published in 1947
- Created by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority
- The USGS is a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for producing reliable geological and topographical maps of American landscapes
- Uses a classic USGS topographic color scheme, with brown contour lines for elevation and green shading for vegetation and landscape features
- Shows detailed elevation data, reflecting the hilly and mountainous terrain of the Cumberland Plateau region
- Provides a mid-20th-century historical record of land use, settlement patterns, roads, natural features, and regional development
- The finely detailed contour lines demonstrate a systematic approach to representing the varied topography of Sewanee and its surroundings
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.
We work with interior designers, hospitality businesses, property professionals, offices and corporate buyers on individual pieces and larger coordinated projects.
This map can be adapted for a particular wall, room or project, and our workshop can help coordinate the dimensions, material and framing before production.
- Exact, oversized and made-to-measure dimensions
- Custom framing, mounting and alternative materials
- Coordinated pieces for several rooms or locations
- Map personalisation, to mark important locations or add extra details
- Map and framing guidance from our workshop
- Local production for projects around the world
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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