A Hysterical Map of Rocky Mountain National Park 1948 - Jolly Lindgren Pictorial Map

Step into the golden age of American road trips with this whimsical 1948 masterpiece by Jolly Lindgren. A Hysterical Map of Rocky Mountain National Park Scenery, Chockfull of Ohs & Ahs isn't your typical navigation tool—it's a joyful celebration of postwar wanderlust, mountain grandeur, and the irresistible charm of discovering the Rockies by automobile.

Against a brilliant golden backdrop, the park's towering peaks spring to life in playful exaggeration. Longs Peak dominates the scene with tongue-in-cheek warnings like "You Will Need Ropes, Pitons, Ice Crampons, and Good Insurance." Nearby ridges carry quips such as "Imagine the Molehills You Could Make Outa These Mountains," while Lulu Mountain gets the cheeky label "You Can't See Two." Trails wind like ribbons through forests and canyons, populated by cheerful illustrations of hikers, bears, and campers experiencing the wild beauty of Colorado.

What makes this map unforgettable is its refusal to take itself seriously. Every inch bursts with personality—handwritten notes, absurd symbols, and friendly jabs at the challenges of altitude, weather, and wildlife. The "legend" offers comedic guidance, turning the traditional cartographic format into a storytelling device. Lindgren transforms geography into comedy, making each mountain a character and every canyon a punchline.

This was 1948, a time when Americans were hitting the highways in record numbers. Gas rationing had ended, car ownership was soaring, and families packed station wagons for adventures they'd postponed during World War II. National parks like Rocky Mountain were experiencing unprecedented popularity as Americans rediscovered the natural wonders in their own backyard. Lindgren's map captured that optimism perfectly—inviting travelers not just to visit, but to laugh, explore, and fall in love with the rugged grandeur of the high country.

Yet beneath the humor lies genuine affection for the landscape. The peaks are rendered with care, rivers flow with movement, and forests feel alive with detail. Lindgren understood that maps could do more than show the way—they could tell stories, evoke emotion, and make you smile while getting lost in the scenery. His work reminds us that adventure and laughter go hand in hand.

Published by the Lindgren Brothers of Spokane, Washington, this map represents a unique moment in American cartography when pictorial maps flourished as souvenirs and decorative art. Today, it stands as both a charming piece of midcentury design and a window into the postwar spirit of exploration and joy.

Each reproduction includes a custom historical letter detailing the story behind the map, making it perfect for Colorado enthusiasts, national park lovers, vintage travel collectors, and anyone who appreciates art that doesn't take itself too seriously. Printed on heavyweight archival paper or hand-stretched polycotton canvas, every quirky caption, illustrated character, and mountain ridge 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 a piece of Colorado's playful cartographic history and celebrate the spirit of adventure that defined postwar America.

Created in 1948 by Jolly Lindgren and published by the Lindgren Brothers of Spokane, A Hysterical Map of Rocky Mountain National Park Scenery, Chockfull of Ohs & Ahs captures postwar America's new love affair with travel, humor, and the open road. This colorful pictorial map isn't meant for precise navigation—it's a joyful celebration of the mountains, the people who visit them, and the sense of wonder that came with seeing the Rockies for the first time. Set against a golden background, the park's peaks, canyons, and forests leap to life in cartoonish exaggeration. Longs Peak towers over the page, surrounded by playful captions like "Imagine the Molehills You Could Make Outa These Mountains" and "You Will Need Ropes, Pitons, Ice Crampons, and Good Insurance." Lindgren's humor defines the map's charm, turning geography into personality where each mountain becomes a character and each canyon a punchline. This was 1948, a time when Americans were rediscovering their country by car after World War II. Gas rationing was over, highways were expanding, and national parks were booming with families eager to explore. Lindgren's map reflects that spirit of optimism, inviting travelers not just to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, but to laugh, explore, and fall in love with its rugged grandeur.

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.