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This Automobile Highway Map of California and Western Nevada, prepared and copyrighted by the California State Automobile Association, provides a comprehensive depiction of the road network in the early 20th century, including both present and proposed highways.
The map, folded into yellow heavy paper covers with the California State Automobile Association logo at the head of the cover title, showcases various geographical and infrastructural elements. On the recto of the cover, there is a color view of the Shell Company of California.
The map delineates county boundaries, cities, towns, highways, other main trunk roads, secondary main roads, wagon roads, railroads, rivers, and streams, with relief shown by shadings, effectively illustrating the terrain's elevation changes and contours. Legend Items include:
- State Highway System (present and proposed)
- Other Main Trunk Roads
- Secondary Main Roads
- Wagon Roads
- Railroads
- County Boundaries
- Rivers and Streams
- Mountain Ranges
The development of automobile roads in California from 1900 to 1920 marked significant advancements and the establishment of a foundational road network that would shape the state's future transportation infrastructure. At the turn of the century, California's roads were primarily designed for horse-drawn carriages, often unpaved and poorly maintained. The advent of the automobile created a demand for improved and more durable roadways.
In the early 1900s, the Good Roads Movement, aimed at promoting better road construction and maintenance, gained momentum in California. This movement was driven by automobile enthusiasts, cyclists, and farmers who recognized the economic and social benefits of improved transportation. The California State Automobile Association, established in 1900, played a crucial role in advocating for better roads and providing maps and guides for motorists.
The state's first significant road construction project was the El Camino Real, a historic route connecting the Spanish missions along the California coast. Efforts to improve this road began in the early 1900s, eventually becoming part of the state's highway system.
In 1912, the California Legislature passed the State Highway Act, authorizing the creation of a state highway system and allocating funding for road construction and maintenance. This act marked the beginning of systematic state-sponsored road building in California. The newly established California Highway Commission was tasked with overseeing the planning, construction, and maintenance of state highways.
The Lincoln Highway, one of the first transcontinental highways in the United States, was established in 1913 and ran through northern California. This highway significantly boosted interstate travel and commerce, connecting California with the rest of the country.
By the end of the 1910s, California's road network had expanded significantly, with numerous state highways and local roads connecting major cities and rural areas. The development of these roads facilitated the growth of the automobile industry, tourism, and agriculture, contributing to the state's economic prosperity.
Overall, the period from 1900 to 1920 was transformative for California's transportation infrastructure, laying the groundwork for the extensive and modern highway system that exists today.
Rarity
The map is very rare.
OCLC reports one copy of the 1917 issue (The David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford University).