1933 Mid-West Map Company Highway Map of the United States

This is a c. 1930 Mid-West Map Company highway map of the United States. The map marks the early days of the interstate highway system following the introduction of numbered highways just four years earlier in 1926.

A Closer Look

Embracing the full continental United States, this map highlings the growing American highway system. Shields mark U.S. highways, which vary from paved roads to 'graded earth roads'. Cities and towns are labeled with intervening mileage noted. National Parks, forests, and monuments, as well as state parks are highlighted.

Historical Context - The American Automobile Craze

In the 1930s, the United States witnessed significant developments in its highway system, a period marked by the growth of automobile culture and the need for improved national road infrastructure. This era was greatly influenced by the advent of the U.S. Numbered Highway System in 1926, which introduced standardized numbering for cross-country routes, replacing the previous system of named auto trails. Iconic highways such as Route 66, which became a symbol of the American road trip, were established during this time. The 1930s also saw the influence of the New Deal under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which implemented public works projects to combat the Great Depression. These projects included substantial investments in road construction and improvement, facilitating better connectivity, fostering economic growth, and accommodating the increasing number of automobiles.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by the Mid-West Map Company c. 1930. The Mid-West Map Company published at least two subsequent editions, in which they updated the font, moved the scale and key, and added population statistics. This is the only known example of this edition.