Vacation Map of West Virginia [Title on Verso]

Visit West Virginia!

“West Virginia’s average high altitude and geographical location make it a logical all-season vacation state; and to the natural attraction of vistas formed of mountains, streams and valleys, and to the inspiration to be found in historic places, West Virginia adds recreational opportunity – and the warm welcome of its people.” [Text, lower right].

This cleverly designed pictorial map was published by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to encourage tourism to the state in the years immediately prior to American entry into World War II. A brightly colored state outline is filled with vignettes that highlight various locations of interest, historic sites, and scenic attractions.

Primary transportation routes are colored red while in-state, but become stylized and change to green when connecting to various destinations across the northeastern United States. These locations, ranging from Missouri to Massachusetts, are represented with illustrated scenes and shown in an inset map in the upper right.

Photographs and a welcome invitation from Governor Homer Holt (in office 1937-1941) on the verso help to date the map to around 1938. Designed by William C. Grauer, with historical input by Dr. Roy Bird Cook. Printed in Charleston, West Virginia by the Matthews Printing and Lithographing Company.