1925 Alberta Map

About the 1925 Mundy’s Auto Road Strip Map

This vintage 1925 Mundy’s Auto Road Strip Map of Alberta serves as a fascinating time capsule of early 20th-century travel. Unlike modern topographical maps, this "strip map" was designed specifically for the burgeoning class of "automobilists," featuring a segmented index that breaks the province into navigable sections.

The documents showcase a blend of cartography and local commerce, featuring prominent advertisements for Edmonton and Calgary businesses of the era, including The Hudson’s Bay Company and the Empress Hotel. It reflects a transitional period in Alberta's history when horse-drawn transport was rapidly giving way to the internal combustion engine.

Interesting Alberta Facts: 1925

• The Great Trail Debate: In 1925, the debate over the route of the Trans-Canada Highway was in full swing. While the map shows early "auto roads," many were still dirt or gravel, and a cohesive highway system across the Rockies was still years away from completion.
• Political Shifts: Alberta was under the leadership of the United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) government in 1925, with Herbert Greenfield serving as Premier until November of that year, when he was succeeded by John E. Brownlee.
• A Growing Population: By 1925, Alberta's population had surged to over 600,000 people, a massive jump from the province's inception in 1905, largely driven by the promise of affordable agricultural land and the expansion of the railway.