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Historical Road Map Collection
MC/01  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Indexing Terms
  • Additional collection guides

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Historical Road Map Collection
    Dates: 1937-2007 (Bulk 1950s-1990s)
    Collection Number: MC/01
    Creator/Collector: California State University, Northridge. Oviatt Map Collection
    Extent: 14 linear feet (14 boxes); 3,800+ items
    Repository: California State University, Northridge. Oviatt Library Map Collection
    Northridge, California 91330
    Abstract: The Historical Road Map Collection contains a variety of historical road maps, tourist maps, and highway maps from cities, states, and geographic regions throughout the world. The collection contains more than 3,800 road maps ranging from 1937-2007, with the bulk of the collection dating from the 1950s-1990s. Historical road maps from the United States detail the pre-Interstate system of automobile and travel networks, while often including interesting illustrative details of early tourist boosterism. Most of the maps were produced by private companies, like Chevron, Esso, Rand McNally, or AAA, as well as by various governmental agencies, with the goal of promoting travel and tourism.
    Language of Material: English

    Access

    Collections are open for research. Viewing hours may be limited.

    Publication Rights

    Please contact the repository for publication information.

    Preferred Citation

    Historical Road Map Collection. California State University, Northridge. Oviatt Library Map Collection

    Scope and Content of Collection

    The Historical Road Map Collection was developed over time by the CSU Northridge Geography Department to support research on campus. Most geographic regions are represented in the collection, including road maps from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Oceania. The collection emphasizes road and tourist maps from North America, particularly the cities and towns of the Western United States and California. Many of the maps from North America are folded to approximately 23 x 10 cm (gas station road map style) and generally include panel titles, indexes, and smaller insets. Some international road maps are folded in pamphlets or booklets. Scales and color vary.

    Indexing Terms

    Roads -- [Country] -- Maps
    Roads -- [Continent] -- Maps
    Roads
    American Automobile Association
    Chevron Corporation
    Shell International Petroleum Company
    Texaco, Inc.
    Pneu Michelin (Firm)
    North America
    South America
    Europe
    Asia
    Africa
    Oceania
    California
    Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Maps
    San Fernando Valley (Calif.) -- Maps
    Road maps
    Tourist maps
    World maps

    Additional collection guides