Published in 1960 from 1957 survey work, the US Geological Survey’s “Marietta” presents a finely observed portrait of one of Ohio’s most historically resonant river cities at mid-century. Drawn at the detailed 1:24,000 scale, the map captures Marietta at the meeting of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, where streets, railways, riverbanks, valleys, and wooded slopes converge in a compact but richly varied landscape. The title’s simplicity belies the depth of information contained within: this is not merely a city plan, but a topographical record of urban life pressed against water, hills, and transportation corridors. Red delineates the built environment, while contouring and shaded relief reveal the dramatic terrain that frames the city.

The map belongs to the long tradition of US Geological Survey cartography, an institution founded in 1879 and renowned for bringing scientific rigor to the mapping of the American landscape. By the 1950s, USGS topographic sheets had become indispensable tools for engineers, planners, geologists, outdoor travelers, and local governments, offering a standardized visual language for understanding terrain and settlement. In this Marietta quadrangle, that language is especially expressive: contours describe the rising ground north and west of the city, while color distinctions clarify roads, urban density, vegetation, and open land. The result is a disciplined yet elegant composition, marrying federal precision with the lived geography of a river town.

Marietta’s position at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers is the defining feature of the map. The waterways curve through the sheet as broad organizing forces, shaping neighborhoods, industry, movement, and the surrounding landforms. The Muskingum flows southward into the Ohio, dividing and defining areas such as Harmar, historically linked to Marietta yet distinct in its riverfront setting. Beyond the gridded streets, valleys and slopes appear in close succession, showing how quickly the urban fabric gives way to Appalachian foothill terrain. The map’s topographic detail makes visible the relationship between settlement and geology: houses and roads occupy the more accommodating flats, while ridges and wooded elevations press closely around them.

The urban detail is equally engaging. Marietta’s streets and roads are crisply marked in red, giving the city a vivid mid-century footprint and revealing the pattern of development before later waves of expansion altered the surrounding landscape. Railways trace practical routes along the valleys and river corridors, evidence of the transportation networks that sustained local commerce and linked the city to broader regional markets. Nearby places such as Broughton appear within a web of roads, open spaces, and cultivated or undeveloped land. Shaded green areas suggest parks, institutional grounds, or wooded public spaces, offering a glimpse of how recreation, civic planning, and natural scenery were interwoven within the city’s setting.

As a historical document, this map preserves Marietta during a period of postwar growth and infrastructural change, before subsequent urbanization reshaped many edges of the city. The late 1950s were an era when American towns were expanding outward, roads were being improved, and land use patterns were shifting to accommodate automobiles, industry, and new residential development. Against that backdrop, the map records a landscape still closely tied to its rivers and hills. It invites comparison between the Marietta of the 1950s and the city today, making visible the enduring features—river confluence, steep terrain, old neighborhoods—as well as the mutable ones: roads, open land, rail corridors, and the evolving boundary between town and countryside.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Marietta, Ohio
• Ohio River
• Muskingum River
• Harmar
• Broughton
• Valley topographical features
• Various streets and roads within Marietta
• Open green spaces and parks indicated by shaded green areas
• Railways indicated on the map

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), known for comprehensive mapping and geological research since 1879.
• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map dated 1957, with a 1960 imprint.
• Shows a mix of urbanized areas and natural landscapes.
• Depicts Marietta’s position along riverbanks, with hilly terrain to the north and west.
• Uses shaded relief to show topographic variation.
• Includes color coding for different land uses and elevations.
• Streets and urban areas are clearly delineated in red.
• Reflects the landscape of the area during the late 1950s, a period of growth and development.
• Provides a record of the area before later urbanization and land-use changes significantly altered the landscape.

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.