The
advent of affordable automobiles spawned a new trend in American culture: the
road trip. Motorists anxious to tour the country quickly tired of stopping
every few miles to ask directions; out of their troubles came the first
road maps,
given away by gasoline companies hoping to increase business and customer
loyalty. State and provincial governments soon began turning out maps of their
own for tourists, using them to promote the scenic and cultural wonders of the
state, and perhaps enticing the visitor to remain a few more days. Travelers
soon came to expect free maps whenever they stopped for gas or tourist
information, and companies such as Rand McNally, H.M. Gousha, and General
Drafting turned out millions to meet demand.
Over time, maps became costlier and competition among oil companies became more
fierce.
The oil woes that gripped the world in the 1970s stripped free maps
from gas station shelves as oil companies cut their expenses to the bare
minimum. Motorists either turned to official tourism offices for free maps, paid
to join automobile clubs for their trip routing services, or broke down and
purchased maps from the same gasoline retailers who used to give them away.
Collecting Today
Drawn in by the fanciful covers or the intricate hand-drawn cartography of early maps,
or tracing the tremendous changes in the landscape brought about by the construction of the Interstate highway system,
collectors find maps to be an inexpensive aid in armchair travel.
Old maps are still widely available at antique stores, garage sales, and swap meets,
and new ones are usually just a toll-free call away at the many tourism departments.
Collectors joined together to promote the hobby and network with trading partners
in the Road Map Collectors Association. Begun over a decade ago,
this group now has over 150 members, and holds its annual map swap meet and Expo
to give collectors a chance to visit with each other and learn more about the hobby.
© 2011 Road Map Collectors Association
Webmaster Judy Aulik webmaster (at) roadmaps (dot) org.
