Nebraska Tour-O-Graph

Thinly veiled racism in official Nebraska advertising.

Issued in 1941 by the Nebraska Advertising Commission, this pictorial brochure is a fun promotional overview of the Cornhusker State (at first glance). State parks, highways, recreation grounds, cities, and points of interest are noted according to a legend in the lower left. A mileage chart at the bottom of the page indicates just how close many cities are to dozens of recreational areas. Illustrated vignettes throughout the map emphasize Nebraska’s history, industry, and leisure. The depiction of Native Americans is unfortunate but reflects common contemporary stereotypes of much of the 20th century.

Even more distressing is the state-sponsored text on the verso that, while inviting to some, is likely intended to dissuade ‘unwelcome’ visitors (i.e. African-Americans and other people of color) from visiting, or even traveling through.

“Welcome to Nebraska! This TOUR-O-GRAPH is your passport to touring pleasure… your visa to interesting adventure. While you are a guest of Nebraska, you are its HONORARY CITIZEN… a very special visitor entitled to special courtesies from Nebraska’s highway officers, public officials, and citizens. Let this TOUR-O-GRAPH guide you to Nebraska’s interesting places. We hope you will keep it as a reminder of pleasant days and hours in the Cornhusker State.”

Immediately below, AMERICA’S WHITE SPOT drives the point home. As helpfully pointed out by my colleague Curtis Bird at the Old Map Gallery, the term ‘white spot’ may be referring to a geographic conception that represents an unfamiliar place, like a ‘blank spot.’ It comes from a German expression – “weißer Fleck auf der Landkarte” – and Nebraska did have a large German population in the mid-20th century. Even so, I suspect the double entendre would have caught the attention of certain audiences.