Published in 1961 from survey work completed in 1958, the United States Geological Survey’s “Calistoga” captures one of Northern California’s most distinctive landscapes at mid-century. At the precise 1:24,000 scale characteristic of USGS quadrangle mapping, the map presents Calistoga and its surrounding Napa Valley terrain with remarkable clarity, balancing scientific exactitude with a quiet visual elegance. This is a landscape defined by contrast: the settled town and cultivated valley floor give way to steep hills, wooded slopes, reservoirs, winding roads, and the imposing rise of Mount St. Helena. As a historical document, it preserves the region before later waves of wine tourism, resort development, and suburban expansion reshaped the modern Napa Valley.

The mapmaker, the United States Geological Survey, brought to this work the authority of one of America’s most important scientific institutions. Founded in the nineteenth century to classify public lands and study the nation’s geology, the USGS became synonymous with meticulous topographic mapping. Its maps were designed not merely for travelers, but for engineers, planners, geologists, foresters, and anyone needing to understand the physical structure of the land. In “Calistoga,” that institutional purpose is evident in the disciplined symbology, carefully drawn contour lines, and concise legend. Roads, drainage, vegetation, elevation, and settlement are all encoded with a precision that makes the sheet both an instrument of analysis and a beautifully ordered portrait of place.

Calistoga itself occupies a celebrated position at the northern end of Napa Valley, an area long associated with mineral springs, volcanic geology, and agricultural richness. The town’s identity was shaped by its geothermal waters, which helped make it a destination for spa tourism well before Napa became internationally synonymous with wine. On the map, the surrounding landforms help explain that reputation: hills and valleys, drainage channels, and the nearby presence of Mount St. Helena all speak to the volcanic and tectonic forces that produced the region’s hot springs and mineral waters. The Napa River and its tributary patterns give structure to the valley floor, tracing the natural corridors along which settlement, farming, and transport developed.

The cartographic design is especially compelling for its topographic drama. Closely spaced contour lines reveal abrupt elevation changes, while gentler spacing opens across the valley bottom, allowing the viewer to read the landscape almost as relief sculpture. Shaded and symbolized vegetation areas distinguish wooded or brush-covered slopes from more open or cultivated land, suggesting the interplay between natural terrain and human use. Roads and highways curve through the map in response to the land, threading between ridges, along creek beds, and toward neighboring communities. Reservoirs and recreation areas appear as part of a broader mid-century landscape in which water management, leisure, agriculture, and transportation were all increasingly interconnected.

As a snapshot of 1958 Calistoga, this map offers a fascinating baseline for understanding the later transformation of Napa County. It records a moment when the area’s resort heritage, rural roads, agricultural fields, and rugged backcountry coexisted before the full maturation of the modern wine-country economy. Comparing its settlement patterns, road network, cultivated areas, and open hillsides with today’s landscape reveals the gradual pressures of tourism, vineyard expansion, conservation, and residential growth. Yet the enduring geography remains unmistakable: Mount St. Helena still anchors the horizon, the Napa River continues to define the valley, and Calistoga’s appeal remains rooted in the same thermal waters, mountain setting, and distinctive sense of place captured here.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Calistoga
• Napa River
• Mount St. Helena
• Various parks and recreation areas
• Roads and highways, including state routes and local roads
• Contour lines indicating elevation
• Vegetation areas
• Reservoirs
• Nearby mountain ranges and hills

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for reliable information about the Earth, natural resources, and the environment.
• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map based on survey data from 1958 and published in 1961.
• Shows a detailed view of the surrounding northern Napa Valley landscape.
• Features a clear legend with symbols for topographic elements, land use, and natural features.
• Elevation changes are shown with contour lines and shading.
• Depicts a varied terrain of hills, valleys, and notable elevation changes.
• Offers a late-1950s snapshot useful for comparing later changes in land use, urbanization, agriculture, and development patterns.

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.