Titled “Reno,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographical map captures the city and its surrounding Nevada landscape with the disciplined elegance characteristic of mid-twentieth-century federal mapping. Created from 1967 survey data and carrying a 1983 imprint, it presents Reno at a revealing moment in its modern growth, before later waves of expansion transformed many of the surrounding valleys and foothills. At a 1:24,000 scale, the map offers an intimate view of streets, rail lines, waterways, neighborhoods, schools, and recreational spaces, while its subtle color scheme distinguishes urbanized areas from open land. Pink-toned city blocks contrast with fine contour work, making the map both a technical document and a striking portrait of Reno’s evolving metropolitan form.

The U.S. Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became the authoritative cartographic voice of the American landscape, and this map reflects the agency’s exacting approach to terrain, settlement, and infrastructure. USGS quadrangles were designed for practical use by engineers, planners, geologists, hikers, and civic authorities, yet they now hold equal value as historical records of place. Here, Reno appears not simply as a city, but as a system of movement and geography: roads, railroads, the Truckee River corridor, airport facilities, and residential districts all set within the dramatic Basin and Range topography. The clarity of the linework and contour intervals reveals a cartographic culture committed to precision, where every slope, drainage, and developed parcel contributes to a larger geographic narrative.

Reno itself occupies the heart of the map, with Sparks shown to the east and the Truckee River threading through the urban corridor. Major routes such as U.S. Route 395, Interstate 80, South Virginia Street, and North McCarran Boulevard mark the city’s mid-century transportation framework, connecting downtown Reno to suburban neighborhoods, industrial zones, and the wider intermountain West. Reno-Tahoe International Airport appears as a significant feature, emphasizing the city’s role as a regional gateway. The map also records schools, parks, rail lines, and residential areas, offering a layered view of daily life and civic structure. Seen today, these details make the map especially compelling as evidence of how Reno balanced compact urban development with outward movement into the surrounding valleys.

Beyond the city grid, the map’s topographic character becomes especially vivid. Detailed contour lines trace the hilly terrain around Reno, revealing the physical constraints and scenic drama that shape the region. Peavine Peak rises to the northwest, while the Mount Rose area to the southwest evokes the transition toward the Sierra Nevada and the higher country leading toward Lake Tahoe. Hidden Valley, Spanish Springs, Virginia Lake, and nearby recreational areas add texture to the urban fringe, showing how settlement and open land intermingled in the late 1960s. The California State Line, Washoe City, and references to larger regional features such as Pyramid Lake help situate Reno within a broader geographic and historical landscape of western migration, mining, ranching, and tourism.

As a historical document, this map is particularly evocative because it records Reno during a period of rapid change. The late 1960s marked an era when highways, airports, suburban growth, and recreational development were reshaping the American West, and Reno was no exception. Comparing the features shown here with the city today reveals shifts in land use, expanded neighborhoods, altered transportation patterns, and the transformation of once-open margins into developed districts. Yet the enduring framework remains visible: the Truckee River, the mountain slopes, the valley floor, and the routes that bind Reno to Sparks, California, and the high desert beyond. This is a map of a city in motion, grounded in terrain and captured with the precision of the USGS tradition.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Reno
• Sparks
• Washoe City
• Mount Rose
• Truckee River
• Virginia Lake
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport
• California State Line
• Pyramid Lake
• Spanish Springs
• Hidden Valley
• Peavine Peak
• South Virginia Street
• North McCarran Boulevard
• U.S. Route 395
• Interstate 80
• Various parks and recreational areas
• Residential neighborhoods
• Schools and educational institutions
• Railroads and railway lines

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey as a historical 1:24,000 topographical map of Reno, Nevada and the surrounding area.
• Created in 1967 and published with a 1983 imprint.
• Shows detailed terrain and land-use information typical of USGS topographic mapping.
• Uses a color scheme designed to make elevation changes visible, with soft tones contrasting against detailed contour linework.
• Pink hues may indicate urbanized areas.
• Detailed contour lines show the hilly terrain surrounding Reno, highlighting physical geography and elevation gradients.
• Serves as a historical record of urban growth and land-use change in Reno since the late 1960s.
• The clarity and precision of the contour lines emphasize the importance of elevation in the surrounding landscape.

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.