Fun Map along Famous Donner US 40 - Follow the Route of the Old Donner Trail. Along Famous U.S. Highway 40.

George Mathis

Publication Date: 1955

About this Item

This colorful pictorial map uses one of America's most notorious tragedies to promote tourism along U.S. Highway 40 in California. The image, oriented with east at the top, was drawn by George Matthis in Nevada City and issued by Trip Teaser Productions. Attractively illustrated mountain ranges are separated by blue lakes and verdant valleys. Twelve different ski resorts are numbered and identified in the lower right, while campgrounds, ski & hiking trails, and highways are noted according to the legend in the lower left. Emigrant's routes are also shown - an interesting combination of both historic and modern. According to the Newberry Library; "Published in 1955, this "Fun Map" of US 40 charts the Donner Party s infamous journey west through a series of colorful cartoon vignettes. After a series of mishaps and poor decision-making, the Donner Party a group of American pioneers from the Midwest who migrated to California via wagon train were forced to camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the winter of 1846-47. During that time, nearly half the party died (most from starvation and exposure). Decades later, the route across Donner Pass was followed by the Central Pacific Railroad, US 40, and Interstate 80." Sheet Width (in) 17 Sheet Height (in) 22 Condition Description "A large vertical tear, about 3" long, in the upper center that has resulted in some unfortunate image loss. A second hole, center right, has resulted from old cellophane tape repairs on the verso. Some separation along fold lines, about 6" total, has been repaired and reinforced on the verso with archival materials. Minor ink staining confined to the upper and lower margins and a little bit in the title block. Seller Inventory # 4385

Bibliographic Details

Title: Fun Map along Famous Donner US 40 - Follow ...

Publication Date: 1955

Condition: Good