Yosemite National Park Map 1931 - Vintage Jo Mora Pictorial Illustrated Map

Step into the golden age of American national parks with this spectacular 1931 pictorial map of Yosemite by legendary artist Jo Mora. This isn't a sterile topographic chart—it's a living, breathing portrait of one of America's most beloved wilderness destinations, bursting with personality, humor, and stunning detail.

Mora's map transforms Yosemite Valley into a colorful storybook. From the valley floor to the high granite walls, every inch teems with life—visitors crossing bridges, campers pitching tents, artists sketching, and wildlife roaming freely among the pines. Iconic landmarks dominate the composition: El Capitan's sheer face, Half Dome's distinctive profile, and Yosemite Falls cascading in ribbons of water. Around the border, illustrated panels depict early explorers, Native American heritage, and recreational activities like skiing, climbing, and horseback riding. Whimsical touches add charm throughout, making this both an accurate guide and a work of art.

Created in 1931, this map captures Yosemite at a pivotal moment. The automobile had just opened the park to millions of visitors, transforming it from remote wilderness into a centerpiece of American tourism. New roads and improved access made once-inaccessible valleys a family destination, and the nation was falling in love with its national parks. Mora's genius lay in capturing that transition—his Yosemite is both wild and welcoming, untamed yet accessible. Beneath the playful artistry lies careful accuracy: rivers follow their true courses, trails are correctly marked, and elevations are rendered with precision.

Each reproduction includes a custom historical letter detailing the story behind the map, making it perfect for Yosemite enthusiasts, California collectors, national park lovers, and anyone who appreciates vintage cartographic art. Printed on heavyweight archival paper or hand-stretched polycotton canvas, every illustrated figure, granite cliff, and waterfall 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 Jo Mora's masterpiece and celebrate America's most iconic national park.

In 1931, Yosemite National Park was both a sanctuary of nature and a stage for adventure, where America's fascination with wilderness met its growing love of travel. This vibrant pictorial map, illustrated by Jo Mora, captures Yosemite not as a sterile chart but as a living, breathing landscape. Mora's map bursts with personality—from the valley floor to high granite walls, every inch teems with visitors crossing bridges, campers pitching tents, artists sketching, and wildlife roaming among pines. Famous landmarks such as El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls rise majestically. Around the border, Mora adds panels showing early explorers, Native American heritage, and recreational scenes—skiing, climbing, horseback riding. When Mora created this map, the automobile had opened Yosemite to millions, transforming it from remote wilderness into a centerpiece of American tourism. Mora's genius lay in capturing that transition—his Yosemite is both wild and welcoming, untamed but accessible. The playful art masks careful accuracy: rivers follow true courses, trails are correctly marked, elevations are artistically precise. This 1931 map remains one of Jo Mora's masterpieces, embodying interwar America's optimism and romantic relationship with the outdoors.

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.