From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow : How Maps Name, Claim, and Inflame

Brassiere Hills, Alaska. Mollys Nipple, Utah. Outhouse Draw, Nevada. In the early twentieth century, it was common for towns and geographical features to have salacious, bawdy, and even derogatory names. In the age before political correctness, mapmakers readily accepted any local preference for place names, prizing accurate representation over standards of decorum. Thus, summits such as Squaw Tit—which towered above valleys in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California—found their way into the cartographic annals. Later, when sanctions prohibited local use of racially, ethnically, and scatalogically offensive toponyms, town names like Jap Valley, California, were erased from the national and cultural map forever. __From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow__ probes this little-known chapter in American cartographic history by considering the intersecting efforts to computerize mapmaking, standardize geographic names, and respond to public concern over ethnically offensive appellations. Interweaving cartographic history with tales of politics and power, celebrated geographer Mark Monmonier locates his story within the past and present struggles of mapmakers to create an orderly process for naming that avoids confusion, preserves history, and serves different political aims. Anchored by a diverse selection of naming controversies—in the United States, Canada, Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and Antarctica; on the ocean floor and the surface of the moon; and in other parts of our solar system—__From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow__ richly reveals the map’s role as a mediated portrait of the cultural landscape. And unlike other books that consider place names, this is the first to reflect on both the real cartographic and political imbroglios they engender. __From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow__ is Mark Monmonier at his finest: a learned analysis of a timely and controversial subject rendered accessible—and even entertaining—to the general reader.

brassiere Hills, Alaska. Mollys Nipple, Utah. Outhouse Draw, Nevada. In The Early Twentieth Century, It Was Common For Towns And Geographical Features To Have Salacious, Bawdy, And Even Derogatory Names. In The Age Before Political Correctness, Mapmakers Readily Accepted Any Local Preference For Place Names, Prizing Accurate Representation Over Standards Of Decorum. But Later, When Sanctions Prohibited Local Use Of Racially, Ethnically, And Scatalogically Offensive Toponyms, Names Like Jap Valley, California, Were Erased From The National And Cultural Map Forever. 

from Squaw Tit To Whorehouse Meadow Probes This Little-known Chapter In American Cartographic History By Considering The Intersecting Efforts To Computerize Mapmaking, Standardize Geographic Names, And Respond To Public Concern Over Ethnically Offensive Appellations. Unlike Other Books That Consider Place Names, This Is The First To Reflect On Both The Real Cartographic And Political Imbroglios They Engender.

from Squaw Tit To Whorehouse Meadow is Mark Monmonier At His Finest: A Learned Analysis Of A Timely And Controversial Subject Rendered Accessible—and Even Entertaining—to The General Reader.

“engaging . . . A Trove Of Giggle-inducing Lore.”—publishers Weekly
“[an] Excellent Book. . . .  [mark Monmonier] Is An Able Populariser Of Academic Geography, And An Expert Guide To The Bureaucratic, Legal And Political Hierarchies That Determine How Places Acquire, Change And Lose Their Names.”—the Economist

“fascinating. . . . The Book Will Interest Anyone Who Has Ever Wondered How Place Names Have Come To Be Established By Locals, And Then Come To Endure On Maps—at Least Until The Advance Of Political Correctness.”—susan Gole, times Higher Education Supplement

canadian Journal Of History

monmonier Carefully Simplifies The Bureaucratic Jargon And Processes To Craft A Study Both Accessible And Entertaining To Scholars And The General Public Alike. His Work Is A Compelling Analysis Of How Cultures Claim The Spaces They Occupy.—anthony J. Stanonis, canadian Journal Of History

— Anthony J. Stanonis

brassiere Hills, Alaska. Mollys Nipple, Utah. Outhouse Draw, Nevada. In The Early Twentieth Century, It Was Common For Towns And Geographical Features To Have Salacious, Bawdy, And Even Derogatory Names. In The Age Before Political Correctness, Mapmakers Readily Accepted Any Local Preference For Place Names, Prizing Accurate Representation Over Standards Of Decorum. But Later, When Sanctions Prohibited Local Use Of Racially, Ethnically, And Scatalogically Offensive Toponyms, Names Like Jap Valley, California, Were Erased From The National And Cultural Map Forever. 

from Squaw Tit To Whorehouse Meadow Probes This Little-known Chapter In American Cartographic History By Considering The Intersecting Efforts To Computerize Mapmaking, Standardize Geographic Names, And Respond To Public Concern Over Ethnically Offensive Appellations. Unlike Other Books That Consider Place Names, This Is The First To Reflect On Both The Real Cartographic And Political Imbroglios They Engender.

from Squaw Tit To Whorehouse Meadow is Mark Monmonier At His Finest: A Learned Analysis Of A Timely And Controversial Subject Rendered Accessible—and Even Entertaining—to The General Reader.

“engaging . . . A Trove Of Giggle-inducing Lore.”—publishers Weekly
“[an] Excellent Book. . . .  [mark Monmonier] Is An Able Populariser Of Academic Geography, And An Expert Guide To The Bureaucratic, Legal And Political Hierarchies That Determine How Places Acquire, Change And Lose Their Names.”—the Economist

“fascinating. . . . The Book Will Interest Anyone Who Has Ever Wondered How Place Names Have Come To Be Established By Locals, And Then Come To Endure On Maps—at Least Until The Advance Of Political Correctness.”—susan Gole, times Higher Education Supplement

times Higher Education Supplement

fascinating. . . . The Book Will Interest Anyone Who Has Ever Wondered How Place Names Have Come To Be Established By Locals, And Then Come To Endure On Maps—at Least Until The Advance Of Political Correctness.—susan Gole, times Higher Education Supplement

— Susan Gole

Brassiere Hills, Alaska. Mollys Nipple, Utah. Outhouse Draw, Nevada. In the early twentieth century, it was common for towns and geographical features to have salacious, bawdy, and even derogatory names. In the age before political correctness, mapmakers readily accepted any local preference for place names, prizing accurate representation over standards of decorum. Thus, summits such as Squaw Tit—which towered above valleys in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California—found their way into the cartographic annals. Later, when sanctions prohibited local use of racially, ethnically, and scatalogically offensive toponyms, town names like Jap Valley, California, were erased from the national and cultural map forever. From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow probes this little-known chapter in American cartographic history by considering the intersecting efforts to computerize mapmaking, standardize geographic names, and respond to public concern over ethnically offensive appellations. Interweaving cartographic history with tales of politics and power, celebrated geographer Mark Monmonier locates his story within the past and present struggles of mapmakers to create an orderly process for naming that avoids confusion, preserves history, and serves different political aims. Anchored by a diverse selection of naming controversies—in the United States, Canada, Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and Antarctica; on the ocean floor and the surface of the moon; and in other parts of our solar system— From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow richly reveals the map’s role as a mediated portrait of the cultural landscape. And unlike other books that consider place names, this is the first to reflect on both the real cartographic and political imbroglios they engender. From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow is Mark Monmonier at his finest: a learned analysis of a timely and controversial subject rendered accessible—and even entertaining—to the general reader. Brassiere Hills, Alaska. Mollys Nipple, Utah. Outhouse Draw, Nevada. In the early twentieth century, it was common for towns and geographical features to have salacious, bawdy, and even derogatory names. In the age before political correctness, mapmakers readily accepted any local preference for place names, prizing accurate representation over standards of decorum. Thus, summits such as Squaw Tit-which towered above valleys in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California-found their way into the cartographic annals. Later, when sanctions prohibited local use of racially, ethnically, and scatologically offensive toponyms, town names like Jap Valley, California, were erased from the national and cultural map forever. From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow probes this little-known chapter in American cartographic history by considering the intersecting efforts to computerize mapmaking, standardize geographic names, and respond to public concern over ethnically offensive appellations. Interweaving cartographic history with tales of politics and power, celebrated geographer Mark Monmonier locates his story within the past and present struggles of mapmakers to create an orderly process for naming that avoids confusion, preserves history, and serves different political aims. Anchored by a diverse selection of naming controversies-in the United States, Canada, Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and Antarctica; on the ocean floor and the surface of the moon; and in other parts of our solar system-From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow richly reveals the map's role as a mediated portrait of the cultural landscape. And unlike other books that consider place names, this is the first to reflect on both the real cartographic and political imbroglios they engender. From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow is Mark Monmonier at his finest: a learned analysis of a timely and .. Brassiere Hills, Alaska. Mollys Nipple, Utah. Outhouse Draw, Nevada. In the early twentieth century, it was common for towns and geographical features to have salacious, bawdy, and even derogatory names. In the age before political correctness, mapmakers readily accepted any local preference for place names, prizing accurate representation over standards of decorum. Thus, summits such as Squaw Tit—which towered above valleys in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California—found their way into the cartographic annals. Later, when sanctions prohibited local use of racially, ethnically, and scatalogically offensive toponyms, town names like Jap Valley, California, were erased from the national and cultural map forever. This book probes this little-known chapter in American cartographic history by considering the intersecting efforts to computerize mapmaking, standardize geographic names, and respond to public concern over ethnically offensive appellations. Interweaving cartographic history with tales of politics and power, the author locates his story within the past and present struggles of mapmakers to create an orderly process for naming that avoids confusion, preserves history, and serves different political aims. Anchored by a diverse selection of naming controversies—in the United States, Canada, Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and Antarctica; on the ocean floor and the surface of the moon; and in other parts of our solar system—this book richly reveals the map's role as a mediated portrait of the cultural landscape. And unlike other books that consider place names, this is the first to reflect on both the real cartographic and political imbroglios they engender "In the age before political correctness, mapmakers readily accepted any local preference for place names, prizing accurate representation over standards of decorum." "From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow probes this little-known chapter in American cartographic history by considering the intersecting efforts to computerize mapmaking, standardize geographic names, and respond to public concern over ethnically offensive appellations. Interweaving cartographic history with tales of politics and power, celebrated geographer Mark Monmonier locates his story within the past and present struggles of mapmakers to create an orderly process for naming that avoids confusion, preserves history, and serves different political aims. Anchored by a diverse selection of naming controversies - in the United States, Canada, Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and Antarctica; on the ocean floor and the surface of the moon; and in other parts of our solar system - From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow richly reveals the map s role as a mediated portrait of the cultural landscape. And unlike other books that consider place names, this is the first to reflect on both the real cartographic and political imbroglios they engender."--Jacket When sanctions prohibited local use of racially, ethnically, and scatalogically offensive toponyms, names like Jap Valley, California, were erased from the national and cultural map forever. This title considers the efforts to computerize mapmaking, standardize geographic names, and respond to public concern over ethnically offensive appellations. Naming and mapping The quest for a national gazetteer Purging pejoratives Body parts and risque toponyms Going native Your toponym or mine? Erasures Inscriptions Epilogue : naming rites.