Created and published in 1984 by the U.S. Geological Survey, the map titled “Florence” presents a finely detailed topographic portrait of a distinctive reach of the Central Oregon Coast. Marked “Provisional,” it carries the intriguing character of a working government map: authoritative, data-rich, and candid about the evolving state of geographic knowledge at the time. At a 1:24,000 scale, it captures Florence and its surrounding landscape with the precision associated with USGS quadrangles, where every contour, watercourse, road, and settlement pattern contributes to a layered understanding of place. The map reflects Florence in a moment of late twentieth-century transition, balancing its long association with timber, fishing, and river commerce against growing coastal development, recreation, and environmental awareness.

The U.S. Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became one of the defining institutions of American scientific cartography, mapping the nation for purposes ranging from land management and engineering to conservation and public planning. This Florence sheet belongs to that tradition of practical elegance: a map made not merely to locate places, but to interpret terrain. The USGS topographic style is instantly recognizable, with brown contour lines articulating elevation, blue waterways and wetlands clarifying the hydrological structure, and carefully differentiated symbols marking roads, buildings, and public features. Its “Provisional” designation adds historical texture, suggesting a landscape in which mapping, development, and field verification were still in dialogue, especially in a dynamic coastal region shaped by dunes, rivers, lakes, and shifting land use.

Florence itself occupies a commanding position along the Siuslaw River, near the point where river, estuary, dunes, forest, and ocean converge. The map shows the urban fabric of Florence as clustered streets and structures, set within a broader environment defined by waterways and low coastal relief. The Siuslaw River is one of the great organizing features of the sheet, reflecting the town’s historical dependence on fishing, shipping, and timber transport. Roads and highways trace the human corridors through this complex terrain, linking Florence to North Beach, Dunes City, and the wider Oregon Coast. In this sense, the map is both a geographic document and a civic snapshot, preserving the spatial arrangement of a coastal community in 1984.

To the south and east, Siltcoos Lake and Dunes City introduce another dimension of the region’s identity: freshwater lakes, wetlands, and recreational landscapes nestled behind the coastal dune system. The cartography reveals how closely settled areas, forests, streams, and lakes are interwoven along this portion of Oregon. Contours describe the gentle but significant rises and depressions of the coastal terrain, while blue markings emphasize the abundance of water—lakes, creeks, river channels, and estuarine margins. Nearby parks and natural areas underscore the ecological richness of the region, where dunes and shorelines form part of a remarkable Pacific landscape. The map’s careful symbology allows the viewer to read not only location, but the environmental relationships that shaped settlement and movement.

As a historical artifact, “Florence” records a coastal landscape at a precise moment, before subsequent decades of growth, tourism, conservation policy, and infrastructure change further altered the area. Its appeal lies in this combination of technical exactness and temporal specificity: the familiar language of USGS topography transformed into a record of place, industry, and environment. The map offers a compelling view of Florence as a river town, coastal gateway, and neighbor to some of Oregon’s most striking dune and lake country. For collectors, it evokes the discipline of modern scientific mapping while preserving the atmosphere of a community rooted in working waterfronts, forest economies, and the dramatic geography of the Pacific Northwest.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Florence
• Siltcoos Lake
• North Beach
• Dunes City
• Siuslaw River
• Oregon Coast
• Roads and highways
• Nearby parks and natural areas
• Coastal features, including beaches and estuaries
• Urban structures and clusters in Florence
• Water features, including streams, rivers, and lakes

Historical context & cartographic details

• Map titled “Florence”
• Created and published in 1984
• Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
• Marked as “Provisional,” indicating its reliability status for navigation or detailed study
• The USGS provides essential geographic information for federal, state, and local agencies
• Florence is located along the Central Oregon Coast
• The area has historical significance connected to logging and fishing industries
• Uses classic USGS topographic design, including contour lines to show elevation changes
• Water bodies are highlighted in blue, with symbols used for roads and urban areas
• Color coding helps distinguish landforms, water features, and developed areas
• The 1:24,000 scale provides a detailed view of natural features and human-made structures
• The map reflects the landscape and development of Florence in 1984, before later changes in urban layout, land use, or environmental features

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.