Cartomap Park Rapids Area in Minnesota. With Highways and Historical Data. (Cover title: Park Rapids. Akeley-Dorset-Lake George-Menahga-Nevis-Osage-Lake Itasca. At the Headwaters of the Mississippi.) by MINNESOTA - PARK RAPIDS) Pottsmith, Charles (mapmaker) - 1948.

Virginia, MN.: W.A. Fisher Company.. 1948.. Brochure 9 x 7 1/4 inches advertising recreational and scenic attractions of the Park Rapids Region of Minnesota. Brochure unfolds to a colorful cartoon map of the region 17 1/2 x 22 inches signed and dated in bottom left corner "Charles Pottsmith 1947." Beneath the map is an 8 x 22 inch listing of resorts, housekeeping cabins, and motels in the immediate region. The brochure shows signs of unnecessary folding, likely to fit more compactly in a pocket or automobile glovebox. Overall, however, good clean condition. The map features a variety of cartoon figures: fisherman, loggers, Native Americans, canoeists, deer, bear, etc. rendered in a colorful comic style. Dominant on the map is Lake Itasca, depicted centrally at the top of the map. To the west of Lake Itasca the White Earth Indian Reservation is shown. At the middle of the map Park Rapids is depicted, intersected by US highway 71 and State Route 34. The lines of the Great Northern Rail Road are shown while considerable commentary is provided in brief text blocks descriptive of the region's history. Below the title banner text credits "Historical Information" to the Minnesota Historical Society of St. Paul. Credit is also given to Rev. Benno Watrin whose "Ponsfordian," printed by the Park Rapids Enterprise, detailed historical information pertaining to the region between the years 1880 and 1930. The map's use of the term "Cartomap," in addition to the style of lettering in the map's descriptive text, also various pictorial elements, reflect a format similar to that of cartographer Frank Antoncich, who pioneered the engaging carton-style pictorial maps published by W. A Fisher beginning in the mid-1930s. .