1971 Trans Continental Cartographers Pictorial Map of Indianapolis, Indiana

This is a 1971 Trans Continental Cartography pictorial map of Indianapolis, Indiana. The map depicts the city of Indianapolis in a nonconventional manner, creating a map that is meant more for decoration than for practical use. Several Indianapolis landmarks are illustrated, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500, the Indiana World War Memorial, the Indiana State Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, the Indiana State Capital building, the Indianapolis Zoo, and the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum – home of the Indiana Pacers in 1971. Various other businesses, shops, hotels, banks, and WIBC radio station populate the rest of the map.

The Indianapolis 500, billed as 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' began in 1911 and is considered part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, with the other two races being the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza occupies five city blocks and is the national headquarters of the American Legion. A memorial cenotaph, an obelisk, University Park, home to statues and a fountain, and the Indiana World War Memorial, modeled after the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus also occupy the site. The Indiana State Soldiers and Sailors Monument, erected in the center of the city, was originally conceived as a tribute to Indiana veterans of the American Civil War but also honors veterans of the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Spanish-American War. It holds the distinction of being the first war memorial in the United States to be dedicated to the common soldier.

This map was published by Trans Continental Cartographers of Vancouver, British Columbia in 1971. They published several pictorial maps of American and Canadian cities, including Boston, San Francisco, Kansas City, New Orleans, Minneapolis, and Vancouver. It was distributed by A.A. Sales Inc. of Seattle, Washington. We were able to locate only one example of this map in institutional collections, making it a rare and entertaining addition to any collection.