[Northern California]

Rare map of Northern California drawn by a cartoonist for the Sacramento Bee.

“Within the borders of this map are depicted the characters and the locale of those events which turned the tide of Empire westward…to create from unsurpassed natural resources the pattern of a mighty….Industrial…Agricultural…Recreational…and truly glorious Golden Empire.” [Text, upper right]

This untitled pictorial map focuses on California north of San Jose. A fascinating mix of historic and contemporary features is reflected across the numerous illustrated vignettes. For example, Sacramento is represented prominently by Sutter’s Fort, whereas San Francisco proudly shows its new (1937) Golden Gate Bridge. Farmers on modern tractors share the countryside with Black Bart’s Peccadillos, while Sir Francis Drake plys the waters of the Pacific alongside cargo ships.

The map was designed by Newton Pratt, an editorial cartoonist for the Sacramento Bee who replaced Harold J. Wahl in 1938. During Pratt’s 33 years with the Bee he was a three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist. Published in Sacramento in 1939 by the James McClatchy Publishing Co. (also publisher of the Bee).

Source: Online Archive of California