The Automobile Road Book with Descriptions of Highways

“Presenting the important features of marked highways actually existing that can be traveled with reasonable comfort from coast to coast and from Canada to the Gulf. Also, interior highways promoting motor trips of varying lengths and reaching such popular tourist objectives such as the Berkshires, Grand Canyon, Great Lakes, Florida Coast Resorts, National Parks, National Forests, Pacific Coast Points, etc.” – Preface. This fascinating booklet, published by the prominent map-making firm of Rand McNally in 1923, provides nearly everything the adventurous motorist needs to know in order to hit the road with safety and comfort in the early 1920s. A brief chronology of improved roadways, beginning with the Romans, offers a history lesson before seguing nicely into the modern era of named highways. These primary continental routes are described in some detail and accompanied by images of the corresponding signage, which would have been applied to utility poles to help guide the way. Following this section is a detailed index of the various camp sites available to motorists in each state (California has the most by far). Additional helpful information is provided on properly equipping the car, how to pitch camp, suggested provisions, and other ‘Things Worth Knowing’ (such as using butter to remove road tar from fenders). It appears sexist stereotypes have been around for over a century, as one recommendation reads, “Women drivers of motor vehicles are to be given special consideration – and watching.” The final pages offer a list of National and State Parks, plus a two-page Auto Trails Map of the United States. The booklet was distributed through the newspapers that subscribed to the information service of Frederick J. Haskin in Washington, D.C. These papers were regionally diverse and included the Kenosha News (Wisconsin), Grand Forks Herald (North Dakota), Bakersfield Californian, and many others. Haskin was also a political author and the third President (and charter member) of the National Press Club. Sources: Press.Org;  JoCo History; Department of Transportation; Atlas Obscura; OCLC# 1037018101