California Official Tourist Picture Map – 1936

1936 Official California & Western U.S. Pictorial Map

A Gubernatorial Invitation to the West. This rare 1936 “Official Tourist Picture Map” is a masterpiece of Depression-era promotional cartography. Published jointly by Californians, Inc. and the All-Year Club of Southern California, it was designed as a high-art invitation for travelers to explore the Golden State and the broader Western United States.

Product Specifications

• Era: Vintage (1936)

• Commissioned By: Californians, Inc. & All-Year Club of Southern California

• Region: California and the Western United States

• Key Feature: A formal “Message to Tourists” signed by Governor Frank Finley Merriam.

• Style: Detailed “Picture Map” (Pictorial) featuring regional illustrations and landmarks.

Historical Significance

This map represents a unique moment in California’s history when the North and South united to promote the state’s recovery through tourism. Featuring the official state seal and Governor Merriam’s signature, it serves as both a political artifact and a vibrant work of mid-century graphic art. The illustrations provide a charming, era-specific look at the West’s natural wonders and growing industries before the modern urban sprawl.