 TREASURES III- A Tenth Anniversary Celebration of the
Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education
October 2, 2004 - June 30, 2005
Road Maps
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Race and Ethnic Groups |
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Just as road maps created an
exclusive, idealized image of the American family, they also offered a
biased portrait of the American racial and ethnic landscape.
Twentieth-century road maps did little to represent the tremendous racial
and ethnic diversity of the United States. Images of African, Hispanic,
Asian, and Native Americans were rare, and when they were depicted the
images most often recalled longstanding stereotypes.
The ethnic minority most visible in road map cover art was the Native
American. Usually depicted as a solitary figure engaged in indigenous craft,
hunting, or in nature, the Native American was set outside the dominant
white culture. When Native Americans did appear in the midst of mainstream
culture they were often caricatured or used for the express purpose of
highlighting the advancement of modern transportation or technology. Oil
companies also chose to reiterate the image of the noble savage made popular
in film and television in order to lure curious travelers to certain regions
of the United States. Road maps of the American Southwest often featured
somewhat clichéd cover art that included both serene and active scenes of
Native culture. |
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1. Sun Oil Company
Road Map & Historical Guide: New England
Chicago: Rand McNally & Company, 1936
Doug Yorke Collection |
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2. Socony-Vacuum
Oil Company, Inc.
East Central Michigan Fishing and Hunting Guide, Zone 3
Chicago: Rand McNally & Company, 1941 |
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3. Skelly Oil Company
Highway Map of Colorado
Chicago: H.M.G. Co., ca. 1953 |
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4. Chevron
New Mexico: Points of Interest and Touring Map
Chicago: The H. M. Gousha Company, 1956 |
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5. Standard Oil
Florida Road Map with Pictorial Guide
Convent Station, N.J.: General Drafting Co., Inc., 1956 |
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6. Enco, Humble Oil &
Refining Company
New Mexico
Convent Station, N.J.: General Drafting Co., Inc., 1961 |
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7. McDonald’s
Heritage Roads, Chicago & Vicinity
Chicago: Rand McNally & Co., ca. 1974 |
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8. Standard Oil
Oklahoma: Guide to Restaurants, Lodging, Attractions
Chicago: Amoco Oil Co., ca. 1977 |
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9. Diamond Shamrock
Highway Map and Station Directory
Chicago: Rand McNally & Co., 1981 |
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10. Phillips 66
Colorado |
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Next: War Maps |
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