Published with a 1977 imprint from 1973 survey information, “Shaw Island” is a finely observed United States Geological Survey topographic map of one of the quieter members of Washington’s San Juan Islands. At 1:24,000 scale, it captures the island not as an isolated point in Puget Sound’s northern archipelago, but as part of an intricate maritime landscape shaped by channels, straits, bays, and neighboring isles. Shaw Island appears amid Griffin Bay, San Juan Channel, and the wider waters leading toward Haro Strait, with Crane Island and Spieden Island helping to frame the surrounding geography. The map’s contours, color separation, and shaded relief give a remarkably clear sense of terrain, shoreline, and settlement patterns in the early 1970s.

The US Geological Survey brought to this map the disciplined precision that made its quadrangles indispensable to planners, travelers, scientists, and local communities. Founded in the late nineteenth century, the USGS became the authoritative cartographic voice of the American landscape, translating field surveys, aerial observations, and geodetic control into maps of exceptional clarity. Here, that technical tradition is evident in the careful delineation of land and water, the measured rhythm of contour lines, and the understated but effective use of shaded relief. Hills, coves, lowlands, and roadways are rendered with a factual elegance, allowing the viewer to read Shaw Island’s physical character at a glance while still discovering subtleties in its inlets, shorelines, and interior elevations.

Shaw Island itself occupies a distinctive place in the San Juan archipelago: smaller and quieter than its better-known neighbors, yet strategically positioned among busy waterways. The map shows its relationship to Griffin Bay, San Juan Channel, and the passages that have long connected island communities by boat, ferry, and local trade. Nearby Roche Harbor, North Beach, South Beach, and the shores of adjacent islands evoke a maritime world shaped by tides, fishing, recreation, and cross-border navigation. The proximity of Haro Strait is especially evocative, recalling the broader historical geography of the region, where American and British interests once met across narrow waters and where island identity has always been inseparable from navigation.

The topographic character of the map is especially appealing. Rather than presenting the island as a simple shoreline outline, the USGS treatment reveals subtle rises, depressions, ridgelines, and valleys through contouring and shaded relief. This gives Shaw Island a tangible form, emphasizing how even modest elevations influence roads, habitation, drainage, and views across the surrounding water. Color coding distinguishes land from the enclosing sea, while the clear hierarchy of lines and symbols identifies routes such as State Route 3, local roads, beaches, bays, and smaller coastal features. The result is both practical and atmospheric: a cartographic portrait of an island landscape where human movement adapts to terrain and shoreline.

As a document of the 1970s, “Shaw Island” preserves a moment in the evolving geography of the San Juans, before later decades of development, conservation policy, tourism, and changing land use further shaped the region. It offers insight into settlement density, transportation routes, coastal access, and the distribution of natural features during a period when the islands were increasingly valued for both their rural character and ecological richness. For admirers of Washington State, maritime landscapes, or classic American topographic mapping, this map is compelling for its balance of scientific precision and regional charm. It captures Shaw Island not merely as a destination, but as a carefully measured place within a dynamic archipelago of water, land, and history.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Shaw Island
• Griffin Bay
• Crane Island
• Spieden Island
• Roche Harbor
• San Juan Channel
• Haro Strait
• South Beach
• North Beach
• State Route 3
• Various small inlets, bays, and waterways

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
• Historical topographic map at 1:24,000 scale.
• Represents Shaw Island, Washington, and surrounding areas.
• Dated 1973, with a 1977 imprint.
• Features shaded relief to depict terrain elevation.
• Uses color coding to differentiate land from water.
• Includes contour lines showing elevation changes, hills, and valleys.
• Offers insight into 1970s land use, population density, and natural features.

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.