1947 Ewing Pictorial Map of Gallup, New Mexico: Native American Theme

A distinctive 1947 Louie H. Ewing pictorial map of Gallup, New Mexico, prepared for the Gallup Chamber of Commerce. It highlights the region's rich Native American history and culture.

A Closer Look

Taking some artistic liberties with scale, Ewing's map embraces the Four Corners, Monument Valley, and Mesa Verde in the north and Zuni (or Zuni Pueblo) in the south. Historic paths between settlements and the modern U.S. Route 66 are traced. Historic ruins, existing Native American settlements (reservations), and cities are illustrated and labeled throughout, along with prominent topographic features such as the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and Bluewater Lake. References to historical events and local cultures also appear, including Coronado's Expedition, Hopi Snake Dancers, and the Zuni Shalako ceremony. The verso includes a less stylized map of the same region (though still with pictorial elements) noting paved and unsurfaced roads, along with photographs and text of local attractions (national parks, national monuments, etc.) and cultures (especially Hopi and Zuni).

Publication History and Census

This pictorial map was drawn by local artist and specialist of Native American art Louie H. Ewing, at the behest of the Gallup Chamber of Commerce. It is undated but assumed to be from c. 1947, given the style and Ewing's professional activities. It is scarce in institutional collections, noted among the holdings of the University of New Mexico, University of Colorado Boulder, Southern Methodist University, and University of Southern Maine in the OCLC.