Pictorial Map of Florida by Ruth Taylor White, 1935: Everglades, Miami, Orlando, Keys, Citrus Groves

Step into the vibrant world of 1930s Florida with the captivating pictorial map titled simply "Florida," created by the talented Ruth Taylor White in 1935. This remarkable work is more than a geographical representation; it is a celebration of the Sunshine State’s unique character, captured through White’s whimsical and engaging artistic lens. The map’s original title reflects its broad ambition—to encapsulate the essence of Florida at a pivotal moment in its history, just as the state was emerging as a national destination for leisure, agriculture, and adventure.

Ruth Taylor White was renowned for her playful yet informative approach to cartography, and this map stands as a testament to her creative genius. Her distinctive style blends vivid color palettes with cartoon-like illustrations, transforming the landscape into a living tableau of Florida’s people, industries, and natural wonders. White’s work was part of a broader movement in the 1930s to make maps both educational and entertaining, inviting viewers of all ages to explore and appreciate the diversity of the American landscape.

The map is alive with imaginative depictions of Florida’s most iconic features. From the mysterious Everglades teeming with alligators and the sun-drenched Florida Keys, to lush orange groves and sprawling sugar cane fields, every corner of the state is rendered with affectionate detail. The presence of palm trees, flamingos, and scenes of fishing and boating evoke the state’s enduring allure as a paradise for both residents and visitors. Notably, White includes vignettes of Seminole people and sponge divers, offering a nod to Florida’s indigenous heritage and the industries that shaped its coastal communities.

Cities and towns are meticulously labeled, each nestled among illustrations that hint at their historical and cultural significance. Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando—now bustling urban centers—are set alongside smaller, storied locales like Key West, St. Augustine, and Tarpon Springs. The map’s playful scenes of golf courses, cattle ranches, and even alligator wrestling reflect both the reality and the mythology of Florida life in the 1930s, making it a rich tapestry of the state’s multifaceted identity.

Historically, this map is a window into a bygone era, capturing the optimism and imagination of the time. It was created during the Great Depression, a period when Americans looked to maps and travel as sources of hope and escapism. White’s work does more than chart borders and cities—it encapsulates the spirit of Florida, inviting collectors and enthusiasts to journey back to a time when the state was rapidly transforming, yet still deeply rooted in its natural beauty and cultural traditions. This map is not just a piece of history; it is a work of art that continues to inspire wonder and admiration.

Cities and towns on this map

• Jacksonville
• Miami
• Tampa
• Orlando
• St. Petersburg
• Hialeah
• Fort Lauderdale
• Tallahassee
• Cape Coral
• Port St. Lucie
• Pembroke Pines
• Hollywood
• Gainesville
• Coral Gables
• Key West
• Daytona Beach
• Pensacola
• Lakeland
• Sarasota
• Ocala
• Fort Myers
• St. Augustine
• Sanford
• Winter Haven
• Tarpon Springs

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The Everglades are illustrated and labeled, highlighting Florida's unique wetland ecosystem.
• The Florida Keys are depicted, emphasizing their geographical and cultural importance.
• An illustration of oranges and orange groves, representing Florida's citrus industry.
• Palm trees and beaches, symbolizing Florida's tropical climate and appeal as a tourist destination.
• Alligators are shown, referencing the state's famous wildlife.
• Sailboats and water sports, indicating recreational activities in Florida's coastal areas.
• Illustrations of Seminole people, reflecting the presence and cultural heritage of Native Americans in Florida.
• Flamingos, representing the state's distinctive birdlife.
• Cattle and ranching scenes, highlighting agricultural activities.
• A depiction of a golf course, referencing Florida's popularity as a golfing destination.
• A steamboat on a river, indicating historical modes of transportation.
• Fishing scenes, showcasing Florida's reputation for sport fishing.
• A depiction of a sponge diver, referencing the sponge industry, particularly around Tarpon Springs.
• Sugar cane fields, representing agricultural production in southern Florida.
• A scene with a man wrestling an alligator, a nod to popular tourist attractions and entertainment of the era.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Florida (original title as shown on the map).
• Mapmaker: Ruth Taylor White, a notable illustrator known for her whimsical and colorful pictorial maps in the 1930s.
• Date of creation: 1935.
• Publisher/context: Part of a series of pictorial or cartoon atlases of the United States, designed to both entertain and inform.
• Map type: County or State Thematic and Pictorial map.
• Artistic style: The map uses vibrant, playful illustrations and cartoon-like depictions to represent the culture, economy, and lifestyle of Florida in the 1930s.
• Themes/topics: Stereotypical scenes and activities, unique cultural elements, and notable landmarks of Florida as perceived in the 1930s.
• Geographic coverage: The entire state of Florida, with counties outlined and labeled.
• Historical significance: Reflects both the popular culture and the economic activities of Florida during the Great Depression era, offering insight into how the state was viewed and promoted at the time.
• Collectible value: Highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts of historical maps and early 20th-century American art.
• Educational purpose: Intended to both amuse and educate viewers about Florida's geography and cultural identity in a visually engaging way.

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 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) 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.