Rare Old Map of Alexandria Bay, New York by USGS, 1943: Thousand Islands & St. Lawrence River
Restored in our London workshop from the original map and printed to museum-grade archival standards. Full description
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Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.The Collector’s Offer
Choose two eligible works and receive 20% off both. Choose three and the lowest-priced one is complimentary, a maximum saving of 33%.
Mix and match eligible standard maps and fine-art prints. No code is required; the offer is applied automatically at checkout.
Standard made-to-order configurations are included. Bespoke sizes, personalised designs and commissioned work are excluded.
Need delivery to different addresses? Contact us before ordering.
Restored in London • Printed and framed in the EU
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe. Full description
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Titled “Alexandria Bay,” this 1943 U.S. Geological Survey topographical map captures one of the most storied reaches of the St. Lawrence River:...
Continue readingTitled “Alexandria Bay,” this 1943 U.S. Geological Survey topographical map captures one of the most storied reaches of the St. Lawrence River: the Thousand Islands region of northern New York and adjacent Canadian waters. Drawn at the detailed scale of 1:31,680, it presents Alexandria Bay not merely as a resort village, but as the focal point of a complex riverine landscape of channels, islands, shorelines, roads, and rising ground. The map’s blue waterways, green vegetation shading, and finely spaced contour lines give the scene both technical precision and visual elegance. Created during the early 1940s, it preserves a geographical moment when infrastructure, tourism, river navigation, and rural settlement were all reshaping this celebrated borderland.
The U.S. Geological Survey, founded in 1879, brought scientific rigor and national ambition to American mapmaking, and this sheet reflects the agency’s mastery of topographic representation. USGS maps were designed for practical use—engineering, resource management, military planning, outdoor travel, and civic development—yet they often possess a quiet aesthetic beauty born from clarity and restraint. Here, contour lines articulate the land’s subtle undulations around the St. Lawrence, while roads and railways reveal the human framework laid across the terrain. Water is given particular prominence, as befits a landscape defined by bays, channels, and island passages. The result is a map that is both an instrument of measurement and a portrait of place.
Alexandria Bay appears within a geography made famous by the Thousand Islands, an archipelago whose intricate scattering of land and water has long drawn travelers, boaters, anglers, and summer residents. The map includes Hill Island and the Canadian town of Gananoque, situating the region within its broader international setting along the U.S.–Canada boundary. Lake of the Isles, Chaumont Bay, the Black River, and the mouth of the Chaumont River expand the sheet’s hydrological drama, emphasizing how interconnected waters define settlement and movement. Numerous unnamed islands and lakes invite close inspection, each small shape contributing to the complexity of navigation and shoreline life in this remarkable river corridor.
The topographic character of the map is especially compelling. Contours trace hills, valleys, and low ridges with a delicacy that reveals how elevation influences routes, drainage, and habitation. Around Alexandria Bay and the St. Lawrence shoreline, the land appears as a textured field of rises and depressions, suggesting the glacially shaped terrain that characterizes much of northern New York. Blue water bodies contrast crisply with green-shaded wooded or vegetated areas, helping the viewer distinguish river channels, bays, marshy margins, and upland ground. Roads and railways intersect the landscape in measured lines, showing the logistical connections that linked river communities to inland farms, markets, and regional transport networks.
As a 1943 document, the map offers a valuable snapshot of the Thousand Islands during a consequential decade. The early 1940s brought wartime mobilization, changing transportation needs, and continued modernization across rural America, even in places known primarily for scenic leisure. Features shown here may differ from the contemporary landscape, making the map an evocative record of earlier shorelines, road patterns, settlement footprints, and land use. Grass Point State Park and the surrounding riverfront speak to the region’s enduring recreational appeal, while the dense hydrography reflects its importance for navigation and cross-border movement. Elegant, precise, and historically resonant, this map transforms a beloved river landscape into a finely observed cartographic artifact.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Alexandria Bay
- Thousand Islands
- Hill Island
- Gananoque
- Lake of the Isles
- Grass Point State Park
- St. Lawrence River
- Chaumont Bay
- Black River
- Mouth of the Chaumont River
- Various unnamed islands
- Various unnamed lakes
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical topographical map is dated 1943.
- The map is drawn at a scale of 1:31,680 and shows Alexandria Bay, the Thousand Islands, and the surrounding region of New York.
- The USGS is a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for mapping and geological studies.
- USGS topographic maps have supported outdoor recreation, land use planning, resource management, and other practical uses.
- The map uses contour lines to show elevation changes, including hills and valleys.
- Water bodies are clearly marked in blue, while vegetation areas are shown with green shading.
- Roads and railways are shown intersecting the landscape.
- The map provides a snapshot of the area’s geography in the early 1940s, before later changes from urban development and infrastructure.
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.
Titled “Alexandria Bay,” this 1943 U.S. Geological Survey topographical map captures one of the most storied reaches of the St. Lawrence River: the Thousand Islands region of northern New York and adjacent Canadian waters. Drawn at the detailed scale of 1:31,680, it presents Alexandria Bay not merely as a resort village, but as the focal point of a complex riverine landscape of channels, islands, shorelines, roads, and rising ground. The map’s blue waterways, green vegetation shading, and finely spaced contour lines give the scene both technical precision and visual elegance. Created during the early 1940s, it preserves a geographical moment when infrastructure, tourism, river navigation, and rural settlement were all reshaping this celebrated borderland.
The U.S. Geological Survey, founded in 1879, brought scientific rigor and national ambition to American mapmaking, and this sheet reflects the agency’s mastery of topographic representation. USGS maps were designed for practical use—engineering, resource management, military planning, outdoor travel, and civic development—yet they often possess a quiet aesthetic beauty born from clarity and restraint. Here, contour lines articulate the land’s subtle undulations around the St. Lawrence, while roads and railways reveal the human framework laid across the terrain. Water is given particular prominence, as befits a landscape defined by bays, channels, and island passages. The result is a map that is both an instrument of measurement and a portrait of place.
Alexandria Bay appears within a geography made famous by the Thousand Islands, an archipelago whose intricate scattering of land and water has long drawn travelers, boaters, anglers, and summer residents. The map includes Hill Island and the Canadian town of Gananoque, situating the region within its broader international setting along the U.S.–Canada boundary. Lake of the Isles, Chaumont Bay, the Black River, and the mouth of the Chaumont River expand the sheet’s hydrological drama, emphasizing how interconnected waters define settlement and movement. Numerous unnamed islands and lakes invite close inspection, each small shape contributing to the complexity of navigation and shoreline life in this remarkable river corridor.
The topographic character of the map is especially compelling. Contours trace hills, valleys, and low ridges with a delicacy that reveals how elevation influences routes, drainage, and habitation. Around Alexandria Bay and the St. Lawrence shoreline, the land appears as a textured field of rises and depressions, suggesting the glacially shaped terrain that characterizes much of northern New York. Blue water bodies contrast crisply with green-shaded wooded or vegetated areas, helping the viewer distinguish river channels, bays, marshy margins, and upland ground. Roads and railways intersect the landscape in measured lines, showing the logistical connections that linked river communities to inland farms, markets, and regional transport networks.
As a 1943 document, the map offers a valuable snapshot of the Thousand Islands during a consequential decade. The early 1940s brought wartime mobilization, changing transportation needs, and continued modernization across rural America, even in places known primarily for scenic leisure. Features shown here may differ from the contemporary landscape, making the map an evocative record of earlier shorelines, road patterns, settlement footprints, and land use. Grass Point State Park and the surrounding riverfront speak to the region’s enduring recreational appeal, while the dense hydrography reflects its importance for navigation and cross-border movement. Elegant, precise, and historically resonant, this map transforms a beloved river landscape into a finely observed cartographic artifact.
Cities, towns and places on this map
- Alexandria Bay
- Thousand Islands
- Hill Island
- Gananoque
- Lake of the Isles
- Grass Point State Park
- St. Lawrence River
- Chaumont Bay
- Black River
- Mouth of the Chaumont River
- Various unnamed islands
- Various unnamed lakes
Historical context & cartographic details
- Produced by the US Geological Survey, this historical topographical map is dated 1943.
- The map is drawn at a scale of 1:31,680 and shows Alexandria Bay, the Thousand Islands, and the surrounding region of New York.
- The USGS is a scientific agency of the U.S. government known for mapping and geological studies.
- USGS topographic maps have supported outdoor recreation, land use planning, resource management, and other practical uses.
- The map uses contour lines to show elevation changes, including hills and valleys.
- Water bodies are clearly marked in blue, while vegetation areas are shown with green shading.
- Roads and railways are shown intersecting the landscape.
- The map provides a snapshot of the area’s geography in the early 1940s, before later changes from urban development and infrastructure.
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.
Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.
Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.
We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.
- We can deliver directly to the recipient
- Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
- Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
- Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
- 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide
If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.
Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.
We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.
Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.
Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.
Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.
If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.
Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.
Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.
Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.
We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.
Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.
Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.
All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.
If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.
Every Unique Maps piece begins with an authentic cartographic source or an original design from our London studio.
For our historic maps, we source rare originals from libraries, archives, auction houses and private collections around the world. We carefully restore each map for print—repairing age-related damage, balancing colour and improving clarity while preserving its original detail, texture and character.
Once restored, the map is prepared for your chosen size and finish. Your piece is then printed and, where selected, framed close to its delivery destination.
Our map prints use acid-free 200gsm archival matte paper and fade-resistant pigment inks, creating a rich, non-glossy finish designed to last. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.
Canvas, cotton-rag and other specialist presentations are also available. Learn more about our materials and finishes.
Personalising your map
You can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. For personalised designs, we send a proof before printing and you can request changes before approval.
For more complex bespoke commissions, contact our design team.
Original or Aged
Choose Original for true-to-source colour, or Aged for a warmer, richer antique character created with our specialist ageing process. See examples of our Aged maps.
We’ve been restoring and producing maps and art prints since 1984, and we stand behind every piece.
Every order is covered by our 10-year guarantee and damage-free delivery guarantee. If your piece arrives damaged, we’ll replace or remake it free of charge. If anything else isn’t right, contact our workshop team and we’ll put it right promptly.
See our returns and refund policy for full details.
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