Pictorial Map of the Los Angeles–Kansas City Air Route, 1929: Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, Western Air Express

Step into the golden age of aviation with this remarkable 1929 pictorial map, “Los Angeles-Kansas City,” crafted by the celebrated cartographer Ruth Taylor White for Western Air Express. This map stands as a vibrant testament to the dawn of commercial air travel in the United States, commemorating the inaugural daylight passenger route spanning 1,417 miles from Los Angeles to Kansas City. More than a simple navigational aid, this map is a celebration of technological progress, capturing the spirit of innovation and adventure that defined the late 1920s. It offers a unique window into a transformative era, when crossing the continent by air in just 12 hours was nothing short of revolutionary.

Ruth Taylor White’s artistry shines through in every detail, blending informative cartography with whimsical illustration. The route is boldly traced across the American landscape, punctuated by charming depictions of major cities such as Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Amarillo, and Kansas City. Along the way, the map highlights the diverse geography of the American West and Midwest, with stylized mountains, rivers, and forests rendered in vivid color. Notable landmarks, including the majestic Grand Canyon and the mighty Colorado River, are brought to life with delightful pictorial flourishes, inviting the viewer to imagine the sights awaiting early air travelers.

What truly sets this map apart is its integration of cultural and recreational themes, reflecting the multifaceted appeal of the regions it traverses. Illustrations of winter and summer sports, hunting, fishing, and local industry dot the landscape, while scenes of Native American life and regional agriculture evoke the rich tapestry of American heritage. These elements transform the map into a visual travelogue, offering both practical information and an engaging narrative of discovery. The inclusion of flying times and distances between stops further underscores the map’s dual role as both a promotional tool and a functional guide for the pioneering passenger.

The historical significance of this map cannot be overstated. Issued at a time when air travel was a novelty for most Americans, it was designed to inspire confidence and excitement in the new mode of transportation. The map’s promotional text, compass rose adorned with the Western Air Express arrowhead logo, and the slogan “Travel by air” all speak to the optimism and ambition of the era. It is a document that encapsulates the rapid modernization of the nation, as well as the bold vision of those who sought to shrink distances and connect cities through the skies.

Collectors and history enthusiasts alike will appreciate the enduring legacy of Ruth Taylor White’s work. Her maps are celebrated not only for their technical accuracy but also for their ability to capture the imagination. This particular piece, with its meticulous detail and joyful exuberance, stands as both a work of art and a historical artifact. It offers a rare opportunity to own a slice of aviation history—a map that once inspired travelers to embark on a journey of speed, comfort, and discovery across the heart of America.

Places on this map

• Los Angeles, California
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Winslow, Arizona
• Kingman, Arizona
• Amarillo, Texas
• Wichita, Kansas
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Grand Canyon (Arizona)
• Colorado River
• Rocky Mountains
• Mojave Desert (California)
• San Bernardino Mountains (California)
• Needles, California
• Gallup, New Mexico
• Tucumcari, New Mexico
• Las Vegas, New Mexico
• Santa Rosa, New Mexico
• Dodge City, Kansas
• Hutchinson, Kansas

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The main air route from Los Angeles to Kansas City is prominently illustrated.
• Major cities along the route are labeled and depicted with pictorial icons.
• The Western Air Express logo (arrowhead) is present, reinforcing branding.
• A compass rose is included, featuring the arrowhead motif.
• The route is marked with distances and estimated flying times between key stops.
• Pictorial representations of mountains, forests, rivers, and farmland are scattered along the route.
• Recreational activities such as skiing, hunting, and fishing are illustrated.
• Industrial sites and agricultural areas are depicted with relevant icons (factories, farms).
• Notable landmarks, such as the Grand Canyon, are illustrated and labeled.
• The map includes illustrations of Native American figures and cultural scenes.
• Rivers such as the Colorado River are clearly shown and labeled.
• The Rocky Mountains are depicted in a stylized, pictorial manner.
• The map includes whimsical illustrations of animals and regional activities.
• State boundaries are shown, with state names labeled.
• The slogan “Travel by air” is included as part of the promotional messaging.
• The map is oriented west-to-east, following the direction of the air route.
• The pictorial style emphasizes both natural beauty and modern progress.
• The map highlights the novelty and excitement of air travel in the late 1920s.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Los Angeles-Kansas City, created as part of a Western Air Express brochure.
• Date of creation: October 1929.
• Cartographer: Ruth Taylor White, a notable mapmaker known for her pictorial and thematic maps in the early 20th century.
• Publisher: Western Air Express, an early commercial airline in the United States.
• Produced to illustrate and promote the inaugural passenger air routes between Los Angeles and Kansas City.
• Commemorates the launch of the first and fastest all-daylight passenger airway, reflecting the rapid growth and innovation in commercial aviation during the late 1920s.
• Brochure context: This map was one of four double-page pictorial route maps included in a lithographed travel brochure, which also featured routes from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Tijuana/Agua Caliente, and Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.
• Map style: Thematic and pictorial, with relief shown pictorially; landmarks, forests, rivers, mountains, and recreational sites are illustrated in a colorful, engaging style.
• Design elements: Features a compass rose with an arrowhead logo, reinforcing the pioneering spirit of the airline.
• Themes depicted: Air travel routes, flying times and distances, geographical features (mountains, rivers, forests), recreational activities, industrial sites, and places of interest.
• Distance and travel time: The route covers 1,417 miles and could be flown in 12 hours, a significant achievement for the era.
• Promotional focus: Emphasizes speed, comfort, and dependability of air travel, aiming to attract new passengers to commercial aviation.
• Historical significance: Serves as a testament to the early days of commercial aviation and the development of air transport networks in the U.S.
• Cultural context: Reflects the optimism and innovative spirit of the 1920s, as well as the growing importance of tourism and travel.
• Artistic approach: Uses colorful, cartoon-like illustrations to make the map accessible and appealing to the public.
• Notable for: Integrating practical travel information with artistic and promotional elements.
• Audience: Targeted at potential air travelers, tourists, and the general public interested in modern transportation.
• Legacy: Maps by Ruth Taylor White are now considered collectible and valuable historical documents.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.