Published by the United States Geological Survey in 1983, “Deer Isle Quadrangle” presents one of Maine’s most intricate coastal landscapes at the highly detailed 1:24,000 scale. Marked “Provisional,” the map belongs to a practical yet fascinating category of USGS cartography: authoritative enough for field use, navigation, planning, and study, while also reflecting an evolving stage in the agency’s mapping program. Its subject is the island world around Deer Isle and Stonington, where land and sea interlace in a complex pattern of coves, ledges, harbors, roads, and settlement. The map captures a moment in the late twentieth century when traditional maritime communities, working waterfronts, and scattered island settlements still defined much of this remarkable stretch of the Maine coast.

The United States Geological Survey brought to this map the disciplined visual language that made its quadrangles essential tools for generations of geologists, engineers, hikers, planners, and historians. Contour lines articulate the modest but meaningful elevations of Deer Isle and its neighboring islands, while color coding distinguishes water, woodland, built features, roads, and relief with admirable clarity. The design is understated but richly informative: every inlet, shoreline indentation, shoal, and causeway contributes to a larger portrait of coastal topography. At this scale, the map rewards close reading, revealing trails, local roads, shoreline structures, and the subtle transitions between upland, village, and tidal edge. It is both a scientific document and a refined study in cartographic precision.

Stonington, the principal populated place shown, anchors the southern end of Deer Isle and gives the map much of its human drama. Long associated with fishing, granite, and seafaring, Stonington appears here not as an isolated village but as part of a broader maritime network extending across Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Bay. Roads lead toward harbors and waterfronts; docks and shore constructs hint at the labor and commerce of the coast. Around it lie Little Deer Isle, Sand Island, Green Island, Thrumcap Island, and the Cod Islands, each contributing to the archipelagic character of the scene. The abundance of named and unnamed inlets emphasizes how deeply the sea shapes movement, livelihood, and identity in this region.

Beyond Deer Isle itself, the quadrangle opens outward into some of the most evocative waters in coastal Maine. Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Bay frame the map’s geography, while Merchants Row evokes the historic island passages used by mariners navigating between granite-studded shores. Isle au Haut, North Haven, and Vinalhaven appear as part of a wider constellation of islands, each with its own relationship to fishing grounds, ferry routes, sheltering coves, and open water. The topographic treatment makes clear that this is not a coastline of smooth boundaries, but one of broken granite, tidal channels, narrow crossings, and protected harbors. The map’s beauty lies in this complexity: a seascape rendered with the exactness of survey work.

As a historical record from 1983, “Deer Isle Quadrangle” is valuable for understanding both environmental conditions and patterns of development along the Maine coast. It preserves the configuration of roads, settlements, waterfront infrastructure, and land cover at a particular moment, offering clues for studies of historical ecology, coastal change, and community growth. Comparing this map with later surveys can reveal shifts in shoreline use, residential expansion, conservation priorities, and the evolving relationship between working waterfronts and seasonal landscapes. Its provisional status adds another layer of interest, suggesting a cartographic snapshot in progress rather than a static final word. For collectors, historians, and admirers of Maine’s island coast, it is a deeply atmospheric and information-rich portrait.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Deer Isle
• Stonington
• Isle au Haut
• Little Deer Isle
• Sand Island
• Green Island
• North Haven
• Vinalhaven
• Thrumcap Island
• Cod Islands
• Penobscot Bay
• Blue Hill Bay
• Merchants Row
• Various small inlets and waterfronts
• Shore constructs, including ports and docks
• Roads, including local routes and trails

Historical context & cartographic details

• Titled “Deer Isle Quadrangle.”
• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
• Created in 1983.
• Marked as a historical “Provisional” map.
• Uses a 1:24,000 scale, providing detailed topographical information.
• Employs color coding to distinguish landforms, elevations, and water bodies.
• Shows contour lines and varying elevations across the coastal landscape.
• Depicts numerous islands and inlets characteristic of the Maine coastline.
• Reflects geographic conditions and potential development patterns as of 1983.
• Useful for historical ecology and urban development studies.
• Cartographic symbols and color choices emphasize the natural beauty and geographic detail of the Deer Isle area.

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.