USGS Topographic maps show elevation (contour lines), hydrography, geographic place names, and a variety of cultural features.
Current-generation topographic maps are created from digital GIS databases, and are branded "US Topo."
Historic maps originally published as paper documents in the period 1884-2006 are available as scanned images.
Historical USGS 1:31,680 Topos of California in the Library's Digitized Collections
Digitized from the Library's map collection.
Find specific locations using a map-based search via our Map & Aerial Locator Tool, or names of needed map sheets on this index map
USGS Historical Topo Maps
• USGS Store: Map Locator
Locate, view, download (free), or purchase historical and current
maps through a place name and map-based search
• TopoVIew USGS
Maps "... from the USGS’s US Topo series and earlier Historical Topographic Map Collection (HTMC).
Offers a selection of download formats.
United States Historical Topographic Maps (1881-1945). Perry-Castañeda Library, University of Texas at Austin
♦ California historical topo maps (USGS)
Pre-1945 maps, scales 1:24,000, 1:31,680, 1:62,500, 1:125,000 and special sheets at other scales
♦ Links to US topographic maps on other web sites
The Map Collection has historical quadrangles for California.
Ask for them by name of the quad (e.g., Fresno North)
Scales include 1:24,000, 1:62,500, 1:31,680, 1:125,000 and 1:250,000.
Index Maps to California Topos (we also have these index maps at the Maps desk.)
♦ Index Map to 1:31,680 scale maps sheets
♦ Index Maps to 1:24,000, 1:250,000 and 100,000 metric scales:
(right click to open the image in a new tab, then zoom to find the sheet name,)
California north half |
California south half |
Search Domestic names via the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Search for a place or feature name and display the full record to get a list of USGS 7.5-minute quads on which the feature is shown.
Topographic map symbols. USGS
4-page pdf.
USGS Topographic Map Symbols
Gif images of an older 2-page USGS pamphlet.
We also have keys to topo map symbols at the Maps Desk
