Military Map of the United States of America Showing location of all forces in training.

Corporate patriotism during World War I.

This folding map of the United States was published in 1917 by the Poole Brothers of Chicago on behalf of the Union Pacific Railroad System. The recent entry of the U.S. into World War I had galvanized the nation’s commitment to an adequate response in Europe. The image highlights the important role played by the Union Pacific railroad, with its lines in bright red providing transportation to many of the ports (circles), Amy cantonments (stars), National Guard camps (squares), aviation training stations (triangles), and marine barracks (ships) identified throughout. Lincoln’s foresight in ordering the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad is noted in the lower left.

The verso lists the various facilities presented on the map and provides a patriotic overview of the role that railroads play in past and present conflicts. A portion of the text reads, “This folder, nationally useful, is not intended primarily as an advertisement. However, we have taken this occasion to point out how the necessity of war-time transportation has had much to do with the building of our railroad and has with its maintenance in a condition for remarkable serviceability.”