The United States Geological Survey quadrangle titled “Ephraim” was published in 1983 using survey data gathered in 1982, preserving a precise early-1980s view of one of Door County, Wisconsin’s most beloved coastal landscapes. At 1:24,000 scale, it captures Ephraim and neighboring Fish Creek with the disciplined clarity that made USGS topographic mapping indispensable to planners, hikers, historians, and landowners alike. The map’s contours trace the gentle rise and fall of the peninsula above the waters of Green Bay, while blue shorelines, coves, and harbor features emphasize the intimate relationship between settlement and water. More than a technical document, it is a portrait of a region balancing small-town charm, maritime heritage, and expanding recreational appeal.

Ephraim occupies a storied place along Door County’s western shore, renowned for its white-painted historic buildings, scenic waterfront, and enduring sense of village identity. The map situates the community within a broader landscape of wooded uplands, rolling terrain, and protected shoreline, showing how roads, trails, and developed areas fit into the natural contours of the peninsula. Fish Creek, another landmark Door County destination, appears as a neighboring center of tourism, boating, and seasonal life. The surrounding place names—Eagle Harbor, Snug Harbor, Point Beach, and nearby island features—evoke the sheltered anchorages and lake routes that shaped settlement, commerce, and leisure throughout this part of Wisconsin.

The map’s topographic language is characteristic of USGS work from the period: fine brown contour lines model elevation, blue denotes water, green identifies wooded or vegetated areas, and black and red symbols clarify roads, structures, boundaries, and transportation routes. This standardized style offers an elegant visual hierarchy, allowing the viewer to read both the physical and human geography at a glance. The subtle terrain of northern Door County rewards close study: low ridges, forested tracts, shore gradients, and small drainage patterns emerge through the contouring. Such detail reveals why the area became prized for hiking, camping, boating, and scenic drives, especially as recreational infrastructure expanded in the late twentieth century.

Peninsula State Park is among the most important features associated with this landscape, anchoring the region’s identity as an outdoor destination. Its forests, trails, overlooks, and shoreline access helped make the Ephraim–Fish Creek area a centerpiece of Door County tourism. The map reflects a moment when seasonal residences, park use, and preservation efforts were all shaping the peninsula’s future. Roads and recreational corridors speak to increasing accessibility, while broad green areas suggest the continued importance of woodland and habitat conservation. In this way, the quadrangle records not only where people lived and traveled, but also how the region’s natural beauty was being managed, enjoyed, and protected.

Beyond the immediate villages, the map connects Ephraim and Fish Creek to the greater geography of Green Bay, Lake Michigan, and the island-studded waters of northern Door County, including references such as Washington Island, Rock Island, and the North and South Twin Islands. These names broaden the scene from village map to coastal gateway, placing Door County within a maritime world of ferries, fishing, navigation, and resort travel. The carefully rendered shoreline underscores the peninsula’s defining character: a place where land narrows into water, harbors invite shelter, and wooded hills descend toward the bay. As a historical document, “Ephraim” captures the area at a pivotal moment of growth, preservation, and enduring Midwestern allure.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Ephraim
• Fish Creek
• Door County
• Green Bay
• Point Beach
• Eagle Harbor
• Washington Island
• Rock Island
• Caledonia
• Lake Michigan
• Snug Harbor
• Peninsula State Park
• North and South Twin Islands
• Roads and highways
• Trails and recreational areas

Historical context & cartographic details

• Published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
• Survey data from 1982; published in 1983.
• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map showing Ephraim and Fish Creek in Wisconsin.
• Reflects the environmental landscape and land use of the area in the early 1980s.
• Uses a standardized USGS topographic style, including contour lines to show elevation changes.
• Water bodies are depicted in blue, with land use shown through varying shades of green.
• Shows gentle rolling hills, forests, and coastal lines along Green Bay.
• Represents a period of tourism growth and increasing seasonal residences in the region.
• Reflects infrastructure development, land-use changes, and preservation efforts for natural habitats.
• Color and contour line work clearly communicate elevation and landforms, characteristic of USGS topographic maps from this period.

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.