Mountain Playground of the University of Colorado 1940 - Fantastical Map

Discover a Fantastical Vision of Colorado's Mountain Paradise

Step into 1940, when Gwendolyn Dufill Meux created Mountain Playground of the University of Colorado—a map not meant for navigation but for inspiration. This is a fantastical vision of the Rocky Mountains rendered through the eyes of imagination and pride, where geography and daydreams share the same space. Every brushstroke reflects affection for both the land and the spirit of exploration that defines Colorado.

At the map's center lies the University of Colorado, nestled in Boulder beneath the shadow of the Flatirons. The campus stands as both landmark and metaphor—the heart of learning, discovery, and youthful adventure. From this symbolic hub, mountain trails radiate outward like paths of curiosity. They lead to ski lodges, alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and distant peaks drawn not in strict scale but in poetic arrangement.

The mountains are alive in Meux's design. Each one rises with personality, its slopes populated by tiny hikers, climbers, and skiers. Bears, deer, and mountain goats wander across the ridges, while trout leap through streams that wind down to sun-lit valleys. Every element is vibrant and deliberate, as if the entire range has been invited to celebrate the joy of motion and discovery.

The map's style captures a moment when America's love affair with travel and outdoor recreation was accelerating. It was the dawn of the automobile age, when the open road and the national park were symbols of freedom. For students and visitors alike, Colorado's mountains promised more than scenery—they offered renewal, adventure, and escape. Meux's work channels that spirit with wit and wonder.

Even the smallest details tell a story. Roads twist through exaggerated canyons, trains curve across impossible bridges, and clouds drift like watercolor brushstrokes above peaks labeled with playful names. The entire composition reads like an illustrated song of the West—half guide, half fantasy.

Seen today, Mountain Playground of the University of Colorado stands as both art and artifact. It preserves a vision of a state proud of its mountains and of a university rooted in them. Meux's work invites the viewer to wander not by compass, but by curiosity—to climb toward knowledge and joy, one trail at a time. Each reproduction includes a custom historical letter detailing the story behind the map, making it perfect for University of Colorado alumni, Colorado history enthusiasts, and lovers of whimsical cartography.

Printed on heavyweight archival paper or hand-stretched polycotton canvas, every playful detail and vibrant color is restored in museum-grade clarity for generations of enjoyment. Paper prints ship rolled in heavy-duty tubes, while canvas editions arrive gallery-wrapped on solid pine stretcher bars with pre-installed hardware—ready to display the moment it arrives.

Bring home this fantastical celebration of Colorado's mountain spirit and the timeless joy of exploration.

Created in 1940 by Gwendolyn Dufill Meux, Mountain Playground of the University of Colorado is not a map meant for navigation but for inspiration. It is a fantastical vision of the Rocky Mountains where geography and daydreams share the same space. At its center lies the University of Colorado in Boulder beneath the Flatirons, with mountain trails radiating outward to ski lodges, alpine lakes, and distant peaks. The mountains are alive with tiny hikers, climbers, skiers, bears, deer, and mountain goats. Every element celebrates the joy of motion and discovery. Meux's work stands as both art and artifact—a vision of Colorado proud of its mountains and a university rooted in them.

Our maps are printed on premium archival paper using museum-quality inks that resist fading for over 100 years. Each piece is carefully inspected and ships ready to frame. For canvas prints, we use professional-grade canvas with a protective coating that ensures your map will remain vibrant for decades to come.