1962 Gerald Eddy Strip Map of the United States West Coast Highway System

Created to take advantage of interest in the Century 21 Exposition, a World's Fair in Seattle, this 1962 Gerald Eddy strip map of the United States west coast highway system promotes a 'quicker, safer' route to the fair. Distributed by Harold's Club in Reno, Nevada, and depicting from San Diego to Seattle, all promoted routes from southern California pass through Reno. A thick black line highlights this route and identifies many of the cities and towns along the way. Other, it is suggested, more crowded and less scenic, roads appear as well, but usually connect to the preferred route through Reno. Since this piece is promoting a vacation to the fair, popular tourist sites, such as Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Crater Lake National Park all make an appearance.

The Century 21 Exposition

The Century 21 Exposition was a World's Fair held in Seattle, Washington, between April 21 and October 21, 1962. The fair welcomed nearly ten million visitors, many of whom came to marvel at the Space Needle. Other structures built for the fair, like the Alweg monorail and the Cornish Playhouse, remain part of Seattle's cultural life. Others were simply specially-built and then demolished.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by Gerald A. Eddy and published by the Harold' Club of Reno, Nevada, in 1962. This is the only known surviving example.