Rare Old Map of Ames, Iowa by USGS, 1975: Iowa State University & Milford
Restaurata nel nostro laboratorio di Londra dalla mappa originale del 1978 e stampata in qualità museale. Descrizione completa
L’offerta del Collezionista
Scegli due opere idonee e ricevi il 20% di sconto su entrambe. Scegline tre e quella al prezzo più basso è in omaggio, con un risparmio massimo del 33%.
Abbina liberamente mappe standard idonee e stampe d’arte fine art. Non è richiesto alcun codice; l’offerta viene applicata automaticamente al checkout.
Sono incluse le configurazioni standard su ordinazione. Sono esclusi formati su misura, design personalizzati e lavori su commissione.
Hai bisogno di consegne a indirizzi diversi? Contattaci prima di effettuare l’ordine.L’offerta del Collezionista
Scegli due opere idonee e ricevi il 20% di sconto su entrambe. Scegline tre e quella al prezzo più basso è in omaggio, con un risparmio massimo del 33%.
Abbina liberamente mappe standard idonee e stampe d’arte fine art. Non è richiesto alcun codice; l’offerta viene applicata automaticamente al checkout.
Sono incluse le configurazioni standard su ordinazione. Sono esclusi formati su misura, design personalizzati e lavori su commissione.
Hai bisogno di consegne a indirizzi diversi? Contattaci prima di effettuare l’ordine.
Restaurato a Londra • Stampato e incorniciato in Canada
Restaurata dalla mappa originale del 1978 e stampata in qualità museale. Descrizione completa
Choose your size
Choose your finish
(Maggiori informazioni)
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!
Porta a casa un pezzo di storia
Oltre 8.000 recensioni a 5 stelle
Published in 1978 from survey work completed in 1975, “Ames East” presents the United States Geological Survey’s precise portrait of Ames, Iowa,...
Continua a leggerePublished in 1978 from survey work completed in 1975, “Ames East” presents the United States Geological Survey’s precise portrait of Ames, Iowa, and its surrounding countryside at a moment of late-twentieth-century transition. At the 1:24,000 scale, the map balances urban detail with the broader patterns of Story County’s agricultural landscape, showing the eastern side of Ames, nearby rural communities, roads, drainage, vegetation, and elevation with the clarity characteristic of USGS quadrangles. The title itself is elegantly functional, identifying a specific portion of a larger mapped landscape, yet the sheet captures far more than location: it records the relationship between a growing university city and the fields, waterways, and small settlements that framed its expansion in the 1970s.
The cartographic language of the USGS is especially compelling here. Contour lines articulate subtle changes in elevation across central Iowa’s gently rolling terrain, while color distinguishes built-up areas, vegetation, water features, and transport routes. Greens mark wooded or vegetated ground; blues trace streams, drainage channels, and lake areas; and the fine network of roads reveals the practical geography of movement between town, farm, and campus. The result is a map of quiet precision, designed for navigation and scientific use yet visually rich in its layered depiction of land use. Its legend, scale, and standardized symbology make the sheet immediately legible, reflecting the USGS tradition of combining technical authority with understated graphic elegance.
Ames itself is the natural focus of the map, a city whose identity has long been shaped by Iowa State University. By the 1970s, the university was already a major intellectual, economic, and cultural force, influencing patterns of housing, transportation, public facilities, and regional growth. Although the map’s purpose is topographic rather than promotional, it quietly reveals the infrastructure of a university town: streets extending from the urban core, highways connecting Ames to the wider state, and the rural surroundings that remained integral to its character. The juxtaposition of academic city and agricultural hinterland is particularly apt for Ames, where research, engineering, and agricultural science have historically met the practical landscapes of Iowa farming.
Beyond Ames, the map includes smaller named places such as Milford, Frank, Grant, and Washington, situating the city within a constellation of rural communities and township landscapes. Minor roads, scattered structures, and cultivated tracts speak to the dispersed settlement patterns typical of central Iowa, where farmsteads and local routes form an intricate human geography. Rivers and drainage systems cut across this ordered grid, reminding the viewer that even in a highly cultivated region, natural landforms continue to shape development. The lake areas, green spaces, and mapped vegetation add further texture, offering clues to recreation, conservation, and low-lying ground within a predominantly agricultural setting.
As a historical document, “Ames East” offers a valuable snapshot of Ames and its environs shortly before the accelerated suburban and infrastructural changes of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Comparing this 1975-surveyed landscape with contemporary mapping reveals shifts in urban expansion, road development, institutional growth, and the conversion of rural land at the city’s edge. Yet the map is more than a record of change; it is an artifact of American scientific cartography at a mature moment, when the USGS quadrangle series provided an authoritative visual inventory of the nation. For collectors, historians, and admirers of Iowa’s landscapes, it captures the measured beauty of place with remarkable discipline and depth.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Ames, Iowa
- Milford, Iowa
- Frank, Iowa
- Grant, Iowa
- Washington, Iowa
- Iowa State University landmarks near Ames
- Lake areas
- River systems
- Highways
- Minor and local roads
- Parks and green spaces
- Rural structures and facilities
Historical context & cartographic details
- Historical USGS 1:24,000 topographical map titled Ames East
- Survey data from 1975, with a 1978 imprint
- Published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
- Shows Ames, Iowa, and the surrounding rural landscape in the late 1970s
- Ames is home to Iowa State University, an important influence on the city’s development and identity
- Uses color to distinguish land uses, including greens for vegetated areas
- Includes contour lines to show elevation changes
- Features rivers, lakes, vegetation, and other topographic details
- Includes a clear legend and scale for navigation and map reading
- Provides a historical snapshot useful for comparing urban development and land-use change over time
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 1978 from survey work completed in 1975, “Ames East” presents the United States Geological Survey’s precise portrait of Ames, Iowa, and its surrounding countryside at a moment of late-twentieth-century transition. At the 1:24,000 scale, the map balances urban detail with the broader patterns of Story County’s agricultural landscape, showing the eastern side of Ames, nearby rural communities, roads, drainage, vegetation, and elevation with the clarity characteristic of USGS quadrangles. The title itself is elegantly functional, identifying a specific portion of a larger mapped landscape, yet the sheet captures far more than location: it records the relationship between a growing university city and the fields, waterways, and small settlements that framed its expansion in the 1970s.
The cartographic language of the USGS is especially compelling here. Contour lines articulate subtle changes in elevation across central Iowa’s gently rolling terrain, while color distinguishes built-up areas, vegetation, water features, and transport routes. Greens mark wooded or vegetated ground; blues trace streams, drainage channels, and lake areas; and the fine network of roads reveals the practical geography of movement between town, farm, and campus. The result is a map of quiet precision, designed for navigation and scientific use yet visually rich in its layered depiction of land use. Its legend, scale, and standardized symbology make the sheet immediately legible, reflecting the USGS tradition of combining technical authority with understated graphic elegance.
Ames itself is the natural focus of the map, a city whose identity has long been shaped by Iowa State University. By the 1970s, the university was already a major intellectual, economic, and cultural force, influencing patterns of housing, transportation, public facilities, and regional growth. Although the map’s purpose is topographic rather than promotional, it quietly reveals the infrastructure of a university town: streets extending from the urban core, highways connecting Ames to the wider state, and the rural surroundings that remained integral to its character. The juxtaposition of academic city and agricultural hinterland is particularly apt for Ames, where research, engineering, and agricultural science have historically met the practical landscapes of Iowa farming.
Beyond Ames, the map includes smaller named places such as Milford, Frank, Grant, and Washington, situating the city within a constellation of rural communities and township landscapes. Minor roads, scattered structures, and cultivated tracts speak to the dispersed settlement patterns typical of central Iowa, where farmsteads and local routes form an intricate human geography. Rivers and drainage systems cut across this ordered grid, reminding the viewer that even in a highly cultivated region, natural landforms continue to shape development. The lake areas, green spaces, and mapped vegetation add further texture, offering clues to recreation, conservation, and low-lying ground within a predominantly agricultural setting.
As a historical document, “Ames East” offers a valuable snapshot of Ames and its environs shortly before the accelerated suburban and infrastructural changes of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Comparing this 1975-surveyed landscape with contemporary mapping reveals shifts in urban expansion, road development, institutional growth, and the conversion of rural land at the city’s edge. Yet the map is more than a record of change; it is an artifact of American scientific cartography at a mature moment, when the USGS quadrangle series provided an authoritative visual inventory of the nation. For collectors, historians, and admirers of Iowa’s landscapes, it captures the measured beauty of place with remarkable discipline and depth.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Ames, Iowa
- Milford, Iowa
- Frank, Iowa
- Grant, Iowa
- Washington, Iowa
- Iowa State University landmarks near Ames
- Lake areas
- River systems
- Highways
- Minor and local roads
- Parks and green spaces
- Rural structures and facilities
Historical context & cartographic details
- Historical USGS 1:24,000 topographical map titled Ames East
- Survey data from 1975, with a 1978 imprint
- Published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
- Shows Ames, Iowa, and the surrounding rural landscape in the late 1970s
- Ames is home to Iowa State University, an important influence on the city’s development and identity
- Uses color to distinguish land uses, including greens for vegetated areas
- Includes contour lines to show elevation changes
- Features rivers, lakes, vegetation, and other topographic details
- Includes a clear legend and scale for navigation and map reading
- Provides a historical snapshot useful for comparing urban development and land-use change over time
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.
Molte delle nostre mappe e stampe d’arte vengono scelte come regali premurosi per case, uffici, studi e luoghi significativi.
Scegli un’opzione incorniciata per il regalo più semplice, pronto da appendere, oppure scegli una stampa non incorniciata se il destinatario preferisce selezionare la propria cornice.
Realizziamo gli ordini localmente in 23 paesi in tutto il mondo, così i regali possono spesso essere prodotti vicino al destinatario. Questo li aiuta ad arrivare più rapidamente, a viaggiare in maggiore sicurezza e a evitare sorprese legate a dazi doganali o di importazione.
- Possiamo consegnare direttamente al destinatario
- I pezzi incorniciati arrivano pronti da appendere
- Le stampe non incorniciate sono accuratamente imballate in un robusto tubo protettivo
- Quasi ogni ordine viene realizzato localmente, per regali più rapidi e sicuri
- Il reso entro 90 giorni dà al destinatario il tempo di decidere
Se non sei sicuro di cosa scegliere, ti invitiamo a contattarci. Possiamo aiutarti a scegliere la mappa, il formato, la finitura o l’opzione di consegna più adatti.
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.
Restauriamo e produciamo mappe e stampe d’arte dal 1984, e garantiamo personalmente ogni pezzo.
Ogni ordine è coperto dalla nostra garanzia di 10 anni e dalla garanzia di consegna senza danni. Se il vostro pezzo arriva danneggiato, lo sostituiremo o lo rifaremo gratuitamente. Se qualsiasi altro aspetto non fosse conforme, contattate il nostro team di laboratorio e provvederemo tempestivamente a risolvere il problema.
Per tutti i dettagli, consultate la nostra politica su resi e rimborsi.
Oppure cerca qualcosa nel negozio.
