Titled “Joseph,” this United States Geological Survey topographical map was created in 1957 and issued with a 1958 imprint, capturing northeastern Oregon at a moment when modern federal mapping had reached a high standard of precision and clarity. At a scale of 1:62,500, it presents the town of Joseph and its dramatic surroundings with the disciplined elegance characteristic of mid-century USGS cartography. Roads, watercourses, settlement patterns, and relief are rendered in a readable visual hierarchy, while the contours reveal the abrupt transition from inhabited valleys to alpine terrain. The result is both a practical geographic document and a historical portrait of Wallowa County’s mountain landscape in the late 1950s.

The map centers on Joseph, a small but culturally resonant town named for Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, whose history is inseparable from the Wallowa country. Set near the northern end of Wallowa Lake, Joseph occupies a landscape where open valley land gives way quickly to steep ridges and high peaks. The town’s placement on the map highlights its role as a gateway between settled agricultural country and the rugged Wallowa Mountains beyond. State highways and county roads trace the connective infrastructure of the period, showing how residents, ranchers, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts moved through a region still defined by distance, elevation, and seasonal access.

Wallowa Lake is one of the map’s most striking natural features, its elongated form lying beneath the towering walls of the Wallowa Mountains. The lake was carved and framed by glacial processes, and the surrounding contours make that geological story visible: tightly packed elevation lines rise sharply from the lakeshore, expressing the steepness and grandeur of the valley. Nearby streams and drainages, including Hurricane Creek, Eagle Creek, and the Lostine River, show how water descends from the mountains into broader valleys below. These hydrological details are central to the map’s character, revealing not just place names, but the underlying structure of the landscape.

The Wallowa Mountains dominate the southern and western portions of the sheet, with features such as Huckleberry Mountain, Summit Lake, and Duck Lake evoking a high-country environment of ridges, basins, forests, and alpine water. The USGS contour work gives the map particular beauty and authority: elevation is not merely labeled, but sculpted across the page through precise, rhythmic lines. Color conventions distinguish terrain, water, roads, and developed areas, allowing the eye to move easily between human geography and natural form. For anyone drawn to mountain cartography, this sheet offers an especially satisfying study of relief, drainage, access, and remoteness.

As a product of the United States Geological Survey, the map belongs to one of the most important mapping traditions in American history. Founded in the nineteenth century, the USGS became the nation’s principal scientific authority for surveying landforms, mineral resources, water systems, and topography. By the 1950s, its maps were essential tools for planning, engineering, recreation, resource management, and education. This “Joseph” sheet preserves the geographic knowledge available at that time, making it possible to compare earlier road networks, settlement extent, and land-use patterns with the present day. It is a richly informative view of Oregon’s Wallowa country, where scientific mapping meets a landscape of exceptional natural drama.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Joseph
• Wallowa Lake
• Wallowa Mountains
• Eagle Creek
• Lostine River
• Hurricane Creek
• Huckleberry Mountain
• Summit Lake
• Duck Lake
• County Roads
• State Highways

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), this historical 1:62,500 topographical map shows Joseph, Oregon and the surrounding area.
• The map was created in 1957 and published with a 1958 imprint.
• The USGS is a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for earth science data collection and topographic mapping.
• The map uses clear contour lines to show elevation changes.
• Various colors indicate different terrain types, following traditional USGS mapping conventions.
• The map illustrates a diverse landscape of mountain ranges, valleys, lakes, and significant elevation changes.
• It reflects the geographic information available in the late 1950s, offering insight into the area’s development and environmental features at that time.
• The map can be compared with more recent maps to assess changes in land use and population density.

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.