{"product_id":"old-map-of-honolulu-hawaii-by-usgs-1959-waikiki-diamond-head-koolau-range","title":"Old Map of Honolulu, Hawaii by USGS, 1959 – Waikiki, Diamond Head \u0026 Koolau Range","description":"\u003cp\u003eTitled simply “Honolulu,” this US Geological Survey topographic map was compiled using survey data from 1959 and issued with a 1961 imprint, preserving a sharply detailed view of Hawaii’s capital at a pivotal mid-century moment. At a scale of 1:24,000, it brings Honolulu and Waikiki into close focus, tracing the meeting point of dense urban development, volcanic landforms, coastal recreation, and tropical vegetation. The map captures the city as Hawaii entered statehood-era transformation, with neighborhoods, roads, public spaces, and shoreline districts recorded in the precise visual language of federal cartography. Honolulu appears not merely as a destination, but as a working capital, port city, cultural center, and gateway to the Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe map was produced by the US Geological Survey, the scientific agency whose topographic work has shaped American understanding of terrain since its founding in 1879. USGS maps were designed for practical authority: land planning, engineering, resource management, defense, recreation, and scientific study all depended on their accuracy. In Hawaii, where volcanic geology, steep ridges, narrow valleys, and rapidly expanding urban areas meet in close proximity, this tradition of mapping carried particular importance. The agency’s disciplined use of contour lines, standardized symbols, and color-coded land cover creates a richly legible portrait of Oahu’s south shore. Every road, stream, crater, beach, and ridge is integrated into a coherent geographic system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe topographic character of the sheet is especially compelling, with finely drawn contours describing the dramatic rise from the coastal plain toward the Koolau Range. These mountains form the green, rugged backdrop to Honolulu, their ridges and valleys revealing the volcanic architecture that defines eastern Oahu. Diamond Head, one of Hawaii’s most recognizable landmarks, is shown as both a geological formation and a cultural icon, its cratered profile anchoring the coastline near Waikiki. Punchbowl Crater, another volcanic feature, appears inland as a striking natural amphitheater embedded within the city. Together, these landforms show how Honolulu’s urban fabric has developed around, between, and upon the remnants of ancient volcanic activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHonolulu and Waikiki are depicted with the density and clarity of a city in motion. Reddish urban tones distinguish built-up neighborhoods, commercial districts, road networks, and developed corridors, while green areas mark vegetation, parks, and less urbanized slopes. Ala Moana, Waikiki’s shoreline, local residential areas, roads, railways, streams, and coastal features are all carefully rendered, offering a mid-20th century snapshot of land use before later decades of high-rise expansion and intensified tourism. Waikiki’s beaches, already world-famous, appear within a broader geographic setting that includes civic Honolulu, inland neighborhoods, volcanic landmarks, and the waters of the Pacific Ocean and Manal Bay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe visual design is classic USGS: functional, exacting, and quietly beautiful. Its vibrant palette allows the viewer to distinguish urban settlement from vegetation, elevation, water, and infrastructure at a glance, while the contouring supplies a deeper sense of relief and spatial drama. This is a map of contrasts—beachfront leisure beside civic density, volcanic craters beside gridded streets, mountains descending toward a modern Pacific capital. Historically, it records Honolulu at a moment when postwar growth, statehood, tourism, and infrastructure development were reshaping the island’s south coast. As a cartographic document, “Honolulu” offers both technical precision and a vivid portrait of place, where natural grandeur and urban ambition meet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCities, towns and places on this map\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHonolulu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaikiki\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManal Bay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePacific Ocean\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKoolau Range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiamond Head\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAla Moana\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePunchbowl Crater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocal neighborhoods and residential areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoads and railways\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParks and recreational areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastlines and beaches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater bodies and streams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical context \u0026amp; cartographic details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduced by the US Geological Survey as a historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Honolulu, Waikiki, and the surrounding area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompiled using survey data from 1959 and published with a 1961 imprint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe US Geological Survey has produced and distributed topographic maps across the United States since its founding in 1879.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUSGS mapping has supported land use planning, resource management, recreation, and the study of natural resources and hazards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe map uses a vibrant color palette, with green tones for vegetation and reddish tones for urban and built-up areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed contour lines show elevation changes across the landscape, including the surrounding mountainous terrain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe map reflects a mid-20th-century view of Honolulu, capturing the urban development, natural features, and infrastructure of the area at that time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking for a particular place?\u003c\/strong\u003e Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop to check before you order\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee personalised map examples\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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 \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003erare old and vintage maps\u003c\/a\u003e to discover another place, period or style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58802291048832,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58802291081600,"sku":null,"price":202.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58802291114368,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Map","offer_id":58802291147136,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58802291179904,"sku":null,"price":202.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed canvas 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