Titled “Lake Winnipesaukee,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographical map presents one of New Hampshire’s most storied lake districts at a 1:100,000 scale. Dated 1986 and carrying a 1988 imprint, it captures the region at a moment when traditional rural landscapes, expanding recreation, and lakeside development were increasingly intertwined. Lake Winnipesaukee dominates the composition, its intricate shoreline, bays, islands, and peninsulas rendered with the disciplined clarity of federal cartography. Around it appear Moultonborough, Meredith, Alton, Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro, and Holderness, along with Squam Lake, Ossipee Lake, Plymouth, and the surrounding highlands. The map’s earth-toned palette and fine contour work give the landscape both scientific precision and quiet visual richness.

The U.S. Geological Survey, founded in 1879, brought a distinctive authority to maps of this kind, combining field observation, standardized measurement, and an enduring concern for the physical character of the American landscape. Rather than emphasizing political spectacle or decorative flourish, the USGS style reveals terrain as a system of elevations, watersheds, roads, settlements, and natural corridors. Here, contour lines trace the rise and fall of hills around the lakes, while blue waterways and ponds articulate the region’s hydrology. Roads such as Route 25 and Interstate 93 situate the mountains and lakes within the modern transportation network, creating a compelling portrait of New Hampshire as both wilderness-adjacent and lived-in.

Lake Winnipesaukee itself is shown as a remarkably complex body of water, with Paugus Bay, Bear Island, and countless smaller coves and channels conveying why the lake has long drawn travelers, boaters, summer residents, and resort communities. Nearby Squam Lake and Little Squam Lake add a quieter counterpoint, associated with wooded shores and conservation-minded development, while Ossipee Lake anchors the eastern portion of the mapped landscape. The inclusion of smaller features such as Copps Pond, Joe’s Pond, Owl Lake, Lake Pemigewasset, and the Smith River enriches the map’s sense of place, revealing a region defined not by one lake alone but by an interlaced network of waters.

The terrain surrounding these lakes is anything but flat, and the map’s topographical language makes that immediately apparent. Contour intervals describe the hilly and mountainous ground rising toward the White Mountains, with the White Mountain National Forest and Mount Washington providing a dramatic northern context. Towns such as Sandwich, Moultonborough, and Holderness sit amid a landscape of ridges, valleys, forest tracts, and water routes, while Plymouth marks an important inland settlement near the Pemigewasset corridor. Castle in the Clouds, perched above the Ossipee Mountains, hints at the region’s Gilded Age romance and its long association with scenic tourism, grand views, and mountain leisure.

As a historical document, this 1980s map records the Lakes Region during a period of accelerating recreational and residential change. Shorelines that had long supported farms, small villages, logging routes, summer camps, and grand hotels were increasingly shaped by vacation homes, marinas, roads, and year-round tourism. Yet the map still presents the area through the enduring fundamentals of topography: water, elevation, forest, road, and settlement. Its restrained USGS design allows modern viewers to study not only where communities stood, but how they related to the landforms around them. The result is a richly informative portrait of central New Hampshire, balancing scientific rigor with the quiet allure of a beloved American landscape.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Moultonborough
• Ossipee Lake
• Plymouth
• Squam Lake
• Lake Winnipesaukee
• Alton
• Meredith
• Holderness
• Sandwich
• Wolfeboro
• Tuftonboro
• Castle in the Clouds
• White Mountain National Forest
• Mount Washington
• Lake Pemigewasset
• Smith River
• Paugus Bay
• Copps Pond
• Bear Island
• Joe’s Pond
• Little Squam Lake
• Owl Lake
• Route 25
• Route 93
• Various local roads and trails

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical 1:100,000 topographical map shows Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding New Hampshire region.
• The map is dated 1986 and carries a 1988 imprint.
• Published by the US Geological Survey, a U.S. government scientific agency responsible for studying topography, geology, hydrology, and the natural environment.
• The map uses a topographical style, with contour lines depicting elevation changes across the landscape.
• Earth-toned coloring enhances the representation of natural features.
• The map emphasizes hilly and mountainous terrain, along with numerous lakes and rivers.
• Contour intervals indicate elevation and help convey the ruggedness of the land.
• The region has likely experienced land-use and development changes since publication, especially recreational and residential growth around the lakes.

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 36x24in (90x60cm) 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.