Titled “Three Lakes Quadrangle,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographical map presents the lake country of northern Wisconsin with the precision and restraint characteristic of federal cartography. Dated 1970 and carrying a 1981 imprint, it captures a landscape at a particular moment in the late twentieth century, when roads, settlements, forests, waterways, and public lands were being systematically recorded for scientific, civic, and navigational use. At a 1:24,000 scale, the map offers a finely resolved view of Three Lakes and its surrounding terrain, balancing practical detail with elegant graphic clarity. Its contours, water tinting, road classifications, and woodland indications create a richly layered portrait of a region defined by glacial lakes, forested ground, and rural routes.

Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, the map belongs to one of the most important cartographic projects in American history: the systematic mapping of the nation through standardized topographic quadrangles. The USGS style is immediately recognizable—measured, disciplined, and dense with useful information. Rather than decorative flourish, its beauty lies in exactitude: contour lines tracing subtle changes in elevation, blue lake forms set against green woodland, and black road networks threading through the countryside. This cartographic language was designed to serve engineers, planners, hikers, foresters, and local governments, yet today it also offers collectors a quietly compelling record of place, showing how official American mapping translated complex terrain into an intelligible and enduring visual system.

The heart of the map is Three Lakes, Wisconsin, a community embedded in a remarkable chain of waters that has long shaped settlement, recreation, and ecology in the region. Tender Lake, Big Lake, Watersmeet Lake, Thunder Lake, and Maple Lake appear among the many named and unnamed bodies of water that define the quadrangle’s character. Their irregular shorelines speak to the glacial origins of northern Wisconsin’s terrain, where retreating ice left basins, wetlands, ridges, and forested uplands. The abundance of lakes and ponds gives the map a distinctive rhythm: blue shapes scattered across green and white ground, linked by roads, trails, drainage courses, and the human patterns of lakeside access.

The map also records an important portion of the Wolf River, one of Wisconsin’s notable waterways, along with nearby forested tracts and a designated State Wildlife Area. These features emphasize the region’s ecological richness and its importance as habitat, watershed, and recreational landscape. The presence of numerous woodlands and trails suggests a countryside shaped not only by settlement but also by hunting, fishing, hiking, forestry, and conservation. Roads such as Route 45 and smaller local routes show the infrastructure that connected these lake communities to the wider Northwoods. In this way, the map is both a guide to movement and a document of environmental relationships, showing how people navigated a terrain dominated by water and woods.

As a historical record, the “Three Lakes Quadrangle” invites comparison between the early 1980s imprint and the present-day landscape. Some roads may have shifted in importance, shorelines may have seen new development, and patterns of land use, conservation, and recreation may have evolved. Yet the map preserves a carefully observed snapshot of the Three Lakes region before later decades of change. Its topographic detail allows viewers to read the land almost archaeologically, discerning the structure beneath modern growth: the lakes, slopes, forests, waterways, and transport corridors that have continued to define the area. For admirers of Wisconsin history, environmental change, and classic USGS design, it is a refined and information-rich portrait of the Northwoods.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Three Lakes
• Tender Lake
• Big Lake
• Watersmeet Lake
• Thunder Lake
• Maple Lake
• A portion of the Wolf River
• State Wildlife Area
• Numerous forests and woodlands
• Roads, including Route 45 and other local roads
• Trails
• Various nearby smaller lakes and ponds

Historical context & cartographic details

• Three Lakes Quadrangle
• Historical 1:24,000 topographical map showing Three Lakes, Wisconsin, and the surrounding area
• Dated 1970 with a 1981 imprint
• Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
• Uses a topographic style with contour lines, color-coding for elevation and water bodies, and a clear legend for features such as roads, lakes, and forests
• Illustrates varied terrain, including woodlands and multiple water bodies typical of Northern Wisconsin
• Reflects the cartographic conventions of the early 1980s
• Provides historical context for comparing later changes in land use, development, and ecological conditions

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.