Rare Old Map of Auburn, Alabama by USGS, 1971 – Auburn University, Lee County & Chewacla State Park
Restored in our London workshop from the original 1973 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 Canada
Restored from the original 1973 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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Titled “Auburn,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographical map was published in 1973 using 1971 survey information, capturing the Auburn, Alabama area at...
Continue readingTitled “Auburn,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographical map was published in 1973 using 1971 survey information, capturing the Auburn, Alabama area at a revealing moment in its modern development. Drawn at the classic 1:24,000 scale, it presents the city and its surrounding Lee County landscape with the precision for which the USGS is renowned. Auburn appears not merely as a populated place, but as the organizing center of a broader terrain of roads, neighborhoods, streams, lakes, and open land. The map’s contour lines, symbols, and color distinctions create a layered portrait of a community shaped by both natural relief and expanding human settlement.
The U.S. Geological Survey brought a rigorous scientific tradition to maps such as this, combining field survey, aerial interpretation, and standardized cartographic language into a document of exceptional clarity. By the early 1970s, USGS quadrangles had become indispensable tools for engineers, planners, geologists, hikers, and local governments, offering an authoritative view of the American landscape at ground level. This Auburn sheet reflects that national project beautifully: every road classification, watercourse, building cluster, and elevation change is encoded through a disciplined visual system. Its restrained design gives the map an understated elegance, where practical information becomes a refined cartographic composition.
Auburn itself anchors the map, its streets and developed areas standing out against the surrounding rural and semi-rural landscape of Lee County. Roads and highways trace the patterns of movement that connected neighborhoods, recreational areas, and outlying settlements, suggesting the growth pressures already reshaping the region in the early 1970s. Residential areas appear amid a broader matrix of fields, wooded tracts, streams, and small bodies of water, revealing a city still closely interwoven with its natural setting. The map captures Auburn before many later phases of suburban expansion, making it a compelling record of urban form at a transitional moment.
The topographic character of the Auburn area is one of gentle but meaningful variation, rendered through the map’s careful contouring. Hills, shallow valleys, drainage corridors, and subtle ridgelines emerge through the fine brown lines that define elevation, giving visual rhythm to what might otherwise appear to be a modest Piedmont landscape. Lakes, streams, and tributaries add another layer of interest, showing how water shaped settlement, transportation routes, and recreational spaces. These hydrological features are especially important in a region where small watersheds and rolling terrain influence land use, road placement, and the character of local neighborhoods.
As a historical reference, this map preserves Auburn and its environs before decades of demographic growth, infrastructure expansion, and environmental modification altered the scene. Later development would change road networks, extend residential districts, reshape recreational lands, and affect the appearance of streams, lakes, and wooded areas. Here, however, the viewer encounters a carefully measured snapshot of the city in the early 1970s: a place of civic growth, regional connectivity, and distinctive Southern topography. For collectors, historians, and those with ties to Auburn, the map offers both technical authority and nostalgic depth, uniting cartographic precision with a vivid sense of place.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Auburn
- Lee County
- Various lakes
- Streams and tributaries
- Roads and highways
- Parks and recreational areas
- Various residential areas and neighborhoods
- Military sites, if present on the map
- Other notable landmarks and features shown on the map
Historical context & cartographic details
- Published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Topographical map of Auburn, Alabama
- Created in 1971 and published in 1973
- Drawn at 1:24,000 scale
- Shows both natural and developed features in the Auburn area
- USGS is known for high standards in cartographic accuracy and geological surveying
- Uses color coding for elevation and land-use features
- Includes symbols for roads, buildings, and bodies of water
- Contour lines show hills, valleys, and other topographical variations
- Lakes and streams are marked to enhance terrain detail
- Valuable as a historical reference due to later urban development and environmental changes
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.
Titled “Auburn,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographical map was published in 1973 using 1971 survey information, capturing the Auburn, Alabama area at a revealing moment in its modern development. Drawn at the classic 1:24,000 scale, it presents the city and its surrounding Lee County landscape with the precision for which the USGS is renowned. Auburn appears not merely as a populated place, but as the organizing center of a broader terrain of roads, neighborhoods, streams, lakes, and open land. The map’s contour lines, symbols, and color distinctions create a layered portrait of a community shaped by both natural relief and expanding human settlement.
The U.S. Geological Survey brought a rigorous scientific tradition to maps such as this, combining field survey, aerial interpretation, and standardized cartographic language into a document of exceptional clarity. By the early 1970s, USGS quadrangles had become indispensable tools for engineers, planners, geologists, hikers, and local governments, offering an authoritative view of the American landscape at ground level. This Auburn sheet reflects that national project beautifully: every road classification, watercourse, building cluster, and elevation change is encoded through a disciplined visual system. Its restrained design gives the map an understated elegance, where practical information becomes a refined cartographic composition.
Auburn itself anchors the map, its streets and developed areas standing out against the surrounding rural and semi-rural landscape of Lee County. Roads and highways trace the patterns of movement that connected neighborhoods, recreational areas, and outlying settlements, suggesting the growth pressures already reshaping the region in the early 1970s. Residential areas appear amid a broader matrix of fields, wooded tracts, streams, and small bodies of water, revealing a city still closely interwoven with its natural setting. The map captures Auburn before many later phases of suburban expansion, making it a compelling record of urban form at a transitional moment.
The topographic character of the Auburn area is one of gentle but meaningful variation, rendered through the map’s careful contouring. Hills, shallow valleys, drainage corridors, and subtle ridgelines emerge through the fine brown lines that define elevation, giving visual rhythm to what might otherwise appear to be a modest Piedmont landscape. Lakes, streams, and tributaries add another layer of interest, showing how water shaped settlement, transportation routes, and recreational spaces. These hydrological features are especially important in a region where small watersheds and rolling terrain influence land use, road placement, and the character of local neighborhoods.
As a historical reference, this map preserves Auburn and its environs before decades of demographic growth, infrastructure expansion, and environmental modification altered the scene. Later development would change road networks, extend residential districts, reshape recreational lands, and affect the appearance of streams, lakes, and wooded areas. Here, however, the viewer encounters a carefully measured snapshot of the city in the early 1970s: a place of civic growth, regional connectivity, and distinctive Southern topography. For collectors, historians, and those with ties to Auburn, the map offers both technical authority and nostalgic depth, uniting cartographic precision with a vivid sense of place.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Auburn
- Lee County
- Various lakes
- Streams and tributaries
- Roads and highways
- Parks and recreational areas
- Various residential areas and neighborhoods
- Military sites, if present on the map
- Other notable landmarks and features shown on the map
Historical context & cartographic details
- Published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Topographical map of Auburn, Alabama
- Created in 1971 and published in 1973
- Drawn at 1:24,000 scale
- Shows both natural and developed features in the Auburn area
- USGS is known for high standards in cartographic accuracy and geological surveying
- Uses color coding for elevation and land-use features
- Includes symbols for roads, buildings, and bodies of water
- Contour lines show hills, valleys, and other topographical variations
- Lakes and streams are marked to enhance terrain detail
- Valuable as a historical reference due to later urban development and environmental changes
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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