Historical Road Map Collection
Finding aid created by Oviatt Library Map Collection staff using RecordEXPRESS
California State University, Northridge. Oviatt Library Map Collection
2019
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, California 91330
(818) 677-3465
chris.salvano@csun.edu
http://www.csun.edu/geography-map-library
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
Collections are open for research. Viewing hours may be limited.
Please contact the repository for publication information.
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.
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