Western Wonderlands

Autry Museum of Western Heritage

Los Angeles, California

(213) 667-2000

www.autry-museum.org

Western Wonderlands: This exhibit explores the history and significance of western national parks, such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, and their relationship to an evolving tourist trade since 1870. As more people came West to experience the spiritual and recreational values of these scenic monuments, the impact of tourism on the national parks grew. Western Wonderlands traces the American public's shifting relationship to the nation's natural treasures. The exhibit will be presented June 14 through September 21, 1997.

This poster (left) was used as advertising for Yellowstone National Park. It depicts a stagecoach full of c. 1910 tourists traveling in the park. Before the advent of the automobile, the stagecoach was the primary means of transportation both into the park, from the railroad, and to tour the park itself. The primary sightseeing route was a giant loop and any visitor who wanted to take in other sights had to walk or ride. This poster was printed by G. Schuh & Co., Munich, Bavaria. From the Autry collection.

Cover art (below) from the July, 1950 cover of Westways magazine from the Automobile Club of Southern California collection. Titled "Grand Canyon National Park" by artist James Hansen.

Cover art (below) from the October, 1950 issue of Westways magazine from the Automobile Club of Southern California collection. Title "Yellowstone National Park" by artist George Post.

The muesum is located just off of I-5, the Golden State Freeway, near historic Griffith Park and the Zoo in Los Angeles.

Search for more articles and essays on American art in Resource Library. See America's Distinguished Artists for biographical information on historic artists.

This page was originally published in 1997 in Resource Library Magazine. Please see Resource Library's Overview section for more information.