Last month I posted a series of Newport Harbor maps by Claude G. Putnam, and also mentioned the 1946 map he created for the "Roads to Romance" campaign. Well, one of our regular readers, Douglas S. McIntosh, scanned selected portions of a1950 Roads to Romance map (also by Putnam) in his collection for inclusion in today's Roundup post.
"The map measures 35" x 22"," writes Doug, "so you only get bets & pieces at a time. ...I focused on O.C. for you." (Click to enlarge any of these images.) Note the "Bolsa Chica Dev[elopment]", "Knott's Ghost Town," and, as Doug puts it, "Look, Ma! No Disneyland!"
Speaking of what isn't on the map, it's kind of surprising how few attractions are promoted on a promotional piece like this. A lot of tourist spots that could have been represented here, like the art colony at Laguna Beach or the casino on Catalina, just aren't there. Odd.
The image below is pasted together from the various parts of the map Doug sent. I'd love to see the whole thing framed and up on the wall someday.
4 comments:
I feel bad about the missing parts of the map...Maybe those areas are under a special redevelopment district?
I just had lunch at Kincaid's Restaurant on the Redondo Beach pier. They have a framed 1946 picture of Roads to Romance Association showing all of southern California
Patrick Moffett
Thanks for posting the map. I had to track down a full, large version and found it here:
http://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/27925/Ride_The_Roads_To_Romance_along_the_Golden_Coast_and_thru_the_Sunshine/Roads%20To%20Romance%20Inc..html
Click to enlarge . . .
I recently bought a map of ride the roads to romance along the golden coast and through the sunshine empire of southern california at an estate sale. It is in very good condition and size is 35' by 22'. I paid $20.00. what can you tell me about these maps. I loved it because I was born and raised in Southern Ca.
Thanks Laura Haddad
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