The “strip maps” published by the Automobile Club of Southern California are considered a collector’s item in some circles of map enthusiasts. Strip maps once helped drivers navigate major routes and often included a list of “approved” hotels, restaurants, and auto repair stations. Their name likely stems from the narrow rectangular paper strip upon which they were printed. The maps were made to an exacting cartographic standard, often relying on the U.S. Geological Survey, state highway maps, and local maps as sources of reference.
The Automobile Club of Southern California was founded in 1900. They produced magazines and maps for those interested in road travel. They also participated in debates on transportation policy. Among the many sets of strip maps that they produced, one of the most sought after by collectors is of the Lincoln Highway from Omaha to Chicago and Philadelphia, a set made up of 24 maps. The complete uncut