Issued in 1947 under the succinct title “Highlands,” this U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 topographical map presents one of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in western North Carolina with scientific precision and quiet visual elegance. Centered on the resort town of Highlands, the sheet captures a high-elevation world of ridges, coves, streams, and forested slopes at a moment when the southern Appalachians were increasingly prized for recreation, conservation, and scenic escape. Its contour lines give the terrain a sculptural quality, revealing the steep rises and folded valleys that define the Blue Ridge. With its earthy palette and carefully organized detail, the map is both a practical government survey and a richly atmospheric portrait of place.

The U.S. Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became the great national authority on American terrain, translating mountains, rivers, roads, and settlements into a uniform cartographic language. In this map of Highlands, that language is especially compelling: contour intervals and shaded relief convey the altitude and complexity of the southern Appalachian uplands, while watercourses and place names anchor the viewer in a living landscape. The map belongs to a period when USGS quadrangles were essential tools for engineers, foresters, hikers, conservationists, and local planners. Its disciplined style reflects the agency’s broader mission—to measure the nation’s physical character—yet the result is far from dry. The Highlands region emerges as a place of movement, elevation, and finely observed natural structure.

Highlands itself occupies a remarkable setting near the crest of the Blue Ridge, a mountain town long celebrated for cool summer air, sweeping vistas, and proximity to waterfalls and old-growth forest. Around it, the map traces a dense network of streams descending toward larger river systems, including the Cullowhee, Horsepasture, and Chattooga watersheds. The Chattooga River, later protected as a National Wild and Scenic River, appears here within its broader mountain context, a corridor of steep ravines and wild water. Nearby names such as Scaly Mountain, Flat Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Rabun Bald evoke the striking topographic variety of the region, where rounded summits, sharp divides, and hidden hollows create a landscape of unusual richness.

The surrounding natural landmarks give the map much of its allure. Nantahala National Forest, one of the great public landscapes of the southern Appalachians, frames the Highlands area with expanses of protected mountain terrain. Whitewater Falls, among the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States, belongs to the same dramatic hydrological world suggested by the map’s tight contours and rushing drainages. To the northeast and east, places such as Lake Toxaway, Glenville Lake, Panthertown Valley, Coopers Creek, and Moses Creek situate Highlands within a larger mosaic of forests, basins, lakes, and water-carved valleys. The map rewards close study, as each named feature contributes to a broader story of elevation, rainfall, geology, and Appalachian isolation.

As a 1947 document, the map also records a pivotal historical moment in the mountain South. The decades after the New Deal brought new attention to national forests, roads, public lands, and outdoor recreation, while older rural patterns of settlement and travel were still visible across the landscape. Highlands was already known as a mountain retreat, yet the large-scale development and tourism infrastructure of later decades had not fully transformed the region. In that sense, the map offers more than topographic information: it preserves a mid-century view of a distinctive Appalachian environment before many modern pressures intensified. Its careful contours, place names, and forested expanses make it a refined and evocative record of one of North Carolina’s most beautiful highland districts.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Highlands, North Carolina
• Cashiers, North Carolina
• Blue Ridge Mountain
• Nantahala National Forest
• Lake Toxaway
• Cullowhee River
• Chattooga River
• Horsepasture River
• Whitewater Falls
• Scaly Mountain
• Rabun Bald
• Panthertown Valley
• Sugarloaf Mountain
• Flat Mountain
• Glenville Lake
• Coopers Creek
• Moses Creek
• Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical 1:24,000 topographical map depicts Highlands, North Carolina and the surrounding area.
• The map is dated 1947 and carries a 1947 imprint.
• Published by the US Geological Survey, a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for geological surveying and mapping.
• The map focuses on Highlands, North Carolina, an area noted for its picturesque scenery and high altitude.
• Contour lines and shading depict elevation and terrain variations, accurately conveying the mountainous character of the region.
• The map showcases the hilly and mountainous terrain of the southern Appalachian region.
• The 1947 map reflects a historical view of the area during a period when outdoor recreation and natural conservation were gaining popularity.
• Vibrant greens and earthy tones emphasize the rugged terrain and enhance the map’s geographical 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.