“Chuckle” Map of Tennessee

Charming map of Tennessee that reflects on the state’s postwar identity.

This three color pictorial map of Tennessee was drawn by Bill Dyer and published by the Division of State Information of the Department of Conservation around 1949, based on the presence of the American Museum of Atomic Energy. Humorous, individually labeled vignettes highlighting the state’s history, culture, industry and attractions are overlaid on a basic highway map. These include a charming personification of Jack Daniel (noted as the state’s only distillery), confusion over Kentucky Lake, “sweet” potatoes, and many more.

The lovely illustrations provide an excellent representation of the state’s self-identity a few years after World War Two, including the status of race relations. The African American figures present on the map (two, by my count) are both show picking cotton, rather than enjoying the myriad of leisure activities. Furthermore, Booker T. Washington State Park and T.O Fuller State Park are both labeled as (Negro), reflecting the segregated status that would persist among many of the state’s facilities until the Civil Rights Act of 1964.