Published in 1942 by the U.S. Geological Survey at a scale of 1:62,500, “Delaware Water Gap” presents one of the most dramatic landscapes of the Middle Atlantic with the disciplined clarity of wartime-era American cartography. The map centers on the celebrated passage where the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian ridges between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a natural corridor long admired by travelers, geologists, artists, and engineers. Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg appear as important settlements near this topographic threshold, positioned amid roads, railways, streams, and wooded uplands. With contour lines reinforced by shaded relief, the sheet conveys not only location but atmosphere: the steepness of the ridges, the folding of the terrain, and the commanding presence of the river valley.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s mapping style is unmistakable here: precise, economical, and richly informative. Rather than decorative flourish, the beauty of the map lies in its careful hierarchy of information, where contour intervals, drainage lines, transportation routes, and settlement patterns combine into a finely ordered portrait of place. The shaded relief gives the terrain a sculptural quality, making the ridges surrounding the Delaware Water Gap appear almost three-dimensional. This technique is especially effective in a region defined by elevation and incision, where the Delaware River has carved a striking notch through resistant mountain rock. The result is a map that is both scientific and visually compelling, revealing the landscape as a system of slopes, watersheds, routes, and human habitation.

Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg form the principal urban focus of the map, reflecting their importance as gateways to the Pocono region and the Delaware River corridor. In the early twentieth century, these towns were closely tied to rail travel, road tourism, commerce, and access to mountain resorts, all of which shaped the region’s identity. The mapped roads and railways suggest a landscape in transition: rural and forested in many areas, yet increasingly connected to larger networks of movement and recreation. Small streams descend from the surrounding uplands into the Delaware and its tributaries, while the pattern of valleys and ridges helps explain the placement of towns, crossings, and routes through this rugged terrain.

The Delaware River is the defining natural feature, bending through the landscape with the authority of a major boundary and transportation artery. Around it rise wooded hills and mountain slopes whose elevations are meticulously expressed through dense contouring. The map captures the physical drama for which the Delaware Water Gap became famous: a place where geology is legible at a glance, and where river, ridge, and valley meet in striking proportion. The surrounding parks and forested tracts evoke the scenic character that would later support major conservation efforts, including the establishment of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in the 1960s. Seen in this 1942 context, the map records the region before many later layers of preservation, tourism infrastructure, and suburban development.

As a historical document, this map offers a valuable snapshot of the Delaware Water Gap region during the early 1940s, when the United States was modernizing its geographic knowledge with exceptional rigor. Its topographic detail reflects practical needs—navigation, planning, resource assessment, infrastructure, and land management—while also preserving the character of a landscape on the edge of significant change. Since its publication, the area has experienced expanded conservation, shifting transportation patterns, increased tourism, and growth around Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg. Yet the enduring structure of the land remains visible in the map’s contours: the river gorge, the Appalachian ridges, the branching streams, and the commanding relief that has made the Delaware Water Gap one of the East Coast’s most recognizable natural landmarks.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Stroudsburg, PA
• East Stroudsburg, PA
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
• Mountain peaks
• Delaware River
• Various streams and small rivers
• Roads
• Railways
• Parks and forested areas

Historical context & cartographic details

• Name of the map: Delaware Water Gap
• Produced by: U.S. Geological Survey
• Date created: 1942
• Scale: 1:62,500
• Design and style: Uses contour lines and shaded relief to provide a detailed representation of the topography.
• Cartographic character: Precise mid-20th-century USGS mapping, emphasizing functionality and clarity.
• Topographic character: Shows varied elevations and hilly terrain around the Delaware Water Gap region.
• Historical significance: Reflects the geographical understanding of the area in the early 1940s, before later changes in development, conservation, and urbanization.

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.