Published in 1984 under the title “Redding, California,” this 1:100,000 topographic map presents one of Northern California’s most dramatic landscapes with the clarity and authority associated with the United States Geological Survey. Centered on Redding and the great waters of Shasta Lake, it captures a region where engineered infrastructure and rugged terrain meet: reservoirs, river corridors, highways, mountain slopes, and forested public lands are all rendered in a precise cartographic language. The map’s color gradations distinguish lower valleys from rising uplands, while contour lines reveal the steep relief that defines Shasta County and its neighboring terrain. As a snapshot of the region in 1984, it records the roads, settlements, recreation areas, and administrative boundaries of a landscape shaped by water, power, timber, travel, and conservation.

The United States Geological Survey, founded in 1879, became the definitive American authority on mapping the nation’s physical geography, geology, hydrology, and natural resources. This map reflects the mature USGS style of the late twentieth century: disciplined, data-rich, and designed for practical use by travelers, planners, engineers, hikers, and land managers. Its 1:100,000 scale allows for a broad regional view while still preserving important local detail, from secondary roads and trails to rivers, reservoirs, and elevation changes. The balanced use of color, labels, contour intervals, and boundary symbols gives the map both visual elegance and scientific utility. It belongs to a mapping tradition in which the American landscape was not merely illustrated, but measured, classified, and made intelligible.

Shasta Lake dominates the map, its branching arms filling former river valleys behind Shasta Dam, one of the great federal water projects of the twentieth century. Completed during the Second World War as a centerpiece of the Central Valley Project, the dam transformed the upper Sacramento River system, creating a reservoir vital to irrigation, flood control, recreation, and hydroelectric power. Nearby Keswick and the Sacramento River corridor show the continuing relationship between water management and settlement in the Redding area. The map also includes Whiskeytown Lake, another reservoir associated with regional water storage and outdoor recreation. Together, these blue expanses offer a striking contrast to the surrounding ridges and valleys, illustrating how Northern California’s modern history is inseparable from its controlled and contested waters.

Redding appears as the principal urban center, set within a natural crossroads where the Sacramento River, Interstate 5, and State Route 299 connect the Central Valley, the Cascade foothills, the Klamath Mountains, and the northern coast ranges. The map records surrounding communities and localities such as Keswick and Center City, along with the roads and routes that knit them into a larger regional network. Interstate 5, the great north-south artery of the American West Coast, gives the map a sense of movement through the landscape, while State Route 299 gestures westward toward Trinity County and the mountains beyond. This infrastructure is carefully set against the older geography of creeks, valleys, forests, and ridgelines, emphasizing Redding’s role as both gateway and hub.

Beyond its cities and reservoirs, the map is especially compelling for its portrayal of mountainous Northern California. Contour lines gather tightly across ridges and peaks, conveying the abrupt transitions between river valleys, forested slopes, and high terrain. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest and surrounding recreational lands evoke a region prized for hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and backcountry travel. Clear Creek, the Sacramento River, nearby valleys, and the broader presence of Mount Shasta to the north place the map within a grand volcanic and alpine setting. Viewed today, the 1984 landscape also carries historical significance: it preserves a record of land use, access routes, public lands, and conservation boundaries at a moment before subsequent decades of growth, environmental change, and evolving recreation reshaped the region.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Redding
• Shasta Lake
• Keswick
• Shasta Dam
• Whiskeytown Lake
• Shasta-Trinity National Forest
• Mount Shasta
• Clear Creek
• Sacramento River
• Center City
• Shasta County
• Trinity County
• Interstate 5
• State Route 299
• Various hiking trails and camping areas
• Nearby mountain peaks and valleys noted for their geographical features and recreational opportunities

Historical context & cartographic details

• Historical 1:100,000 topographical map produced by the United States Geological Survey.
• Created in 1984, with a 1984 imprint.
• Published by the USGS, an agency known for scientific research and mapping of the United States.
• Shows detailed terrain contours, water bodies, and administrative boundaries.
• Uses color codes and clear labeling typical of USGS maps from this era.
• Presents the mountainous terrain of Northern California, with contour lines indicating significant elevation changes.
• Documents land use and infrastructure as they appeared in 1984.
• Reflects developments in urban areas, natural conservation, recreation, and regional infrastructure.
• Uses color gradients to distinguish low-lying areas from elevated terrain, supporting outdoor navigation and recreational use.

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 36x20in (90x50cm) 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.