1925 Stationery Map of Aberdeen, South Dakota and Route to Yellowstone Park

This is a 1925 stationery map of Aberdeen, South Dakota and the Yellowstone Trail from Chicago to Yellowstone Park. Printed on a piece of stationery, a map stretching from Montana to Chicago, Illinois is situated at the top of the page, with red overprinting marking the route from Chicago to Yellowstone. Major cities are identified along the way, with several other slightly out of the way labeled as well. Of course, Aberdeen is marked by big bold block lettering. The Black Hills are also marked in red. Below this map are views of buildings around Aberdeen, including the grandstand and racetrack at the Tri-State Fair, both buildings of the Northern Normal and Industrial School in Aberdeen, and a view of Melgaard Park and tourist camping ground. A railroad map of North and South Dakota is printed next to the view of Melgaard Park and is meant to illustrate the importance of Aberdeen as a rail hub in the Dakotas, likely to try and promote businesses to relocate to their city. Finally, along the bottom of the sheet, a view of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway yards in Aberdeen reinforce its importance within the rail network, with a caption stating that no less than nine rail lines 'radiate' from the city 'in all directions'.

The Letter to Smith and Wesson

A handwritten letter to Smith and Wesson dated April 7, 1925, appears on the opposite side on letterhead from Hoilen and Bachman Hardwar and Paints Maytag Washing Machines of Aberdeen. The letter reads:

Smith and Wesson Springfield Mass
Gentlemen: We are sending you to day by parcel post insured 1 only 22 pistol, we wish to have you overhaul it – something wrong with firing pin – kindly give this your attention and send same back soon as you are thru with it. Party owning this gun is very particular, he did not want same vixed here by our local gun repr man.
Yours truly
Hoilen and Bockman.

A blue stamp from Smith and Wesson is inked on the letter, stating that it was received on April 10, 1925, but unfortunately, the 'answered' line is not filled in.

Publication History

This stationery is both unsigned and does not have a printer credited. Likely it was created for the businesses of Aberdeen to use for official correspondence to promote the city. Little else is known about this piece.