Published in 1970 from survey work conducted in 1964, the U.S. Geological Survey’s “Anna Maria” presents a finely observed topographical portrait of Florida’s Gulf Coast at a moment when barrier-island communities were entering a new era of development. At the 1:24,000 scale, the map captures Anna Maria Island with scientific clarity, setting its narrow landform between the Gulf of Mexico and the sheltered waters of Tampa Bay. Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach appear as distinct coastal settlements, while roads, channels, beaches, and low-lying terrain reveal the delicate relationship between human habitation and the shifting edge of sea and sand.

The map is a classic expression of USGS cartography: practical, elegant, and deeply informative. Color differentiates land, water, marsh, roads, and built features, while contour lines and spot elevations give shape to a landscape where even subtle changes in height matter. In a region defined less by mountains than by tidal flats, channels, passes, and shorelines, topographical precision becomes a record of vulnerability and adaptation. The inclusion of navigational aids such as a scale bar, legend, and orientation details reflects the USGS mission to create maps useful to engineers, planners, scientists, and the public alike.

Geographically, the sheet is rich with coastal drama. Longboat Pass marks the southern approach to Anna Maria Island, connecting Gulf waters with the intricate back-bay environment between the island and the mainland. Konnor Channel and nearby sandbars speak to the restless movement of sediment through this part of the Florida coast. To the east, the Manatee River leads toward Bradenton and Palma Sola, tying the barrier island to the mainland’s older settlement patterns. Across the wider expanse of Tampa Bay, Fort De Soto Park anchors the northern portion of the scene, emphasizing the strategic and recreational importance of these waters.

As a historical document, the map offers a valuable view of Anna Maria Island before later decades of intensified coastal growth. The 1960s were a transformative period for Florida’s shoreline communities, as tourism, retirement migration, bridge access, and waterfront development reshaped formerly quiet fishing and beach settlements. Here, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach retain a measured footprint within a broader natural setting of bays, beaches, channels, and open Gulf water. The map preserves the configuration of roads, neighborhoods, and shorelines as they stood when the island was becoming both a residential haven and a treasured seaside destination.

The USGS, founded in 1879, brought to this map a tradition of disciplined observation and national-scale geographic knowledge. Its topographic quadrangles became indispensable tools for understanding America’s landscapes, whether rugged mountain ranges, river valleys, deserts, or low coastal islands like Anna Maria. In this sheet, the agency’s restrained cartographic language allows the character of place to emerge: the long sweep of the Gulf shore, the protective curve of Tampa Bay, the mainland settlements around Bradenton, and the fragile thread of island communities between them. The result is both a technical record and an evocative coastal portrait of mid-century Florida.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Anna Maria
• Tampa Bay
• Anna Maria Island
• Gulf of Mexico
• Manatee River
• Konnor Channel
• Fort de Soto Park
• Longboat Pass
• Sandbar
• Palma Sola
• Bradenton
• Holmes Beach
• Bradenton Beach

Historical context & cartographic details

• Published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
• Created from surveys conducted in 1964 and published in 1970.
• Historical topographical map at a scale of 1:24,000.
• Illustrates Anna Maria, Florida, and surrounding coastal areas.
• Includes detailed topographical data showing contours, elevations, landforms, and aquatic features.
• Uses clear color-coding to distinguish land and water features.
• Typically includes an orientation arrow, scale bar, and legend for navigation and geographic interpretation.
• Reflects the geographical configuration of the area during the 1960s.
• Provides insight into urban development, environmental conditions, and coastal characteristics that may have changed over time.
• Represents the USGS tradition of topographical and geological mapping for scientific and governmental 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 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.