Published in 1958 from 1954 topographical work, “Boise” presents Idaho’s capital and its surrounding terrain with the disciplined elegance characteristic of the United States Geological Survey. At a scale of 1:62,500, the map captures a city poised between its compact mid-century urban core and the open landscapes that define the Treasure Valley. Downtown Boise, Fort Boise, Harris Ranch, and the road network radiating through the valley appear alongside the Boise River, foothills, and rising mountain country. The result is both a precise government survey and a quietly evocative portrait of a western city at a moment of transition, before later suburban expansion transformed much of the surrounding land.

The United States Geological Survey brought to this map the authority of an institution founded to measure, classify, and understand the American landscape. Its topographical sheets were indispensable tools for engineers, planners, scientists, land managers, and travelers, translating terrain into a language of contour, color, and symbol. Here, the familiar USGS style gives Boise a refined clarity: contour lines describe the lift of the foothills, blue waterways trace the course of the Boise River, and shaded distinctions separate cultivated land, built environments, and rougher uplands. This is cartography with a scientific purpose, yet its visual order also reveals the beauty of the region’s structure.

Boise’s setting is the chief drama of the map. The city lies in the valley floor, while the terrain rises quickly to the north and east, where tightly spaced contours signal the beginning of more rugged country. Table Rock, one of Boise’s most recognizable landmarks, stands out as a prominent natural feature overlooking the city. The Boise River threads through the landscape, shaping settlement, irrigation, transportation, and recreation. Its corridor connects urban neighborhoods with agricultural margins and foothill routes, making visible the relationship between water and growth in a semi-arid region. The map’s elevation markings and drainage patterns give the viewer an immediate sense of how geography governs the city’s form.

The inclusion of Lucky Peak Reservoir places the map within an especially important chapter of mid-twentieth-century regional development. Built for flood control, irrigation support, and recreation, the reservoir reflects the era’s ambitious approach to managing western rivers. Roads leading toward and around Boise suggest the increasing mobility of the postwar period, while trails and natural areas point to the enduring pull of the foothills. Harris Ranch, now associated with later residential development, appears within a landscape still strongly defined by open land and riverine geography. In these details, the map preserves a view of Boise before many of its modern patterns of growth fully emerged.

As a historical document, “Boise” offers more than a record of place names and elevations; it reveals the balance between city, river, infrastructure, and mountain landscape in the 1950s. The map captures a capital city still closely bound to its natural surroundings, with urban streets giving way quickly to ranchlands, foothills, and reservoir country. For those interested in Idaho history, western settlement, hydrology, or urban change, it provides a richly detailed snapshot of a pivotal landscape. Its careful contours and restrained color palette make the terrain legible at a glance, while its mid-century detail rewards close study with evidence of how Boise once met the edge of the wild.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Boise
• Boise River
• Table Rock
• Fort Boise
• Lucky Peak Reservoir
• Harris Ranch
• Downtown Boise and other Boise neighborhoods
• Surrounding natural areas with mountainous terrain
• Roads leading to and through Boise
• Trails and natural parks in the vicinity
• Landmarks indicated within Boise

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
• Historical 1:62,500 topographical map of Boise, Idaho and the surrounding area.
• Dated 1954, with a 1958 imprint.
• The USGS is a scientific agency of the U.S. government responsible for studying the country’s landscape and natural resources.
• Reflects the geographic and infrastructural context of Boise in the mid-20th century.
• Shows natural landscapes, urban areas, and geographical features around Boise.
• Uses classic topographical styling, including contour lines to indicate elevation changes.
• Employs color shading to differentiate between land types.
• Displays mountains, valleys, river systems, and detailed elevation markings.
• Provides insight into changes in urban development and land use since the 1950s.

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.