State Souvenir tablecloths were produced as early as the 1930s, and they rapidly increased in popularity as more people traveled by car and train to see the United States. By the late 1940s the combination of consumer demand and new production reinvigorated American car culture. The price of gasoline fell and the family car became more affordable. The War, as well as the increased number of motorists, facilitated the construction of a cross continental roadway system. Americans were eager to take to the road to discover America, buying souvenirs from the states they visited. All states at one time sold souvenir tablecloths and tea towels. You could find a tablecloth featuring the "western states" and one picturing the entire United States on one cloth. The earlier state tablecloths were smaller, usually 34" or 38", and not as detailed as the later ones. By the late 1940s, state tablecloths were being produced in a larger size of 52" and 64", with coordinating napkins for use at the family kitchen table.
1950's New York State tablecloth
The most highly sought after state tablecloths are those from the mid west states, such as North and South Dakota, Kansas, and Ohio. Since these states and others were not as popular as other tourist destinations, the tablecloths are harder to find and can be valued as high as $375.00. California, Florida, New York, Alaska, Nevada, Hawaii, and Wyoming, as well as the states that route 66 cut through were the most popular destinations. These souvenir state tablecloths are easier for the collector to acquire. Occasionally, you will find a Startex or Simtex label on these tablecloths, demonstrating their immense popularity, as the large tablecloth manufacturers responded to the market demand. It is easy to find these tablecloths with their original tags and in unused condition, since they were put away after the family returned from vacation. Yucca Prints and Cactus Cloth were usually sold at newsstands and these manufacturers seem to be the most popular producers of these vintage pieces of state history. Souvenir tablecloths were also produced and showcase a specific popular tourist destination. You can find tablecloths featuring "Lake Michigan," "Yellowstone Park" as well as "Washington D.C" and "Los Angeles," just to name a few. They were produced to show the local attractions and highlights. These are a little harder to come by and are a delightful addition to state souvenir tablecloth collections.
Early 1930's One color California State tableclothIt is easy to date souvenir tablecloth by researching the tourist attractions shown, and sometimes the general date can be determined by which landmarks are pictured on the cloth. For example, in California "Boulder Dam" changed its name to "Hoover Dam" in 1947, and Disneyland opened in 1955. In Florida tablecloths, Walt Disney World didn't open until 1971. This 1930's Utah State tablecloth shown above can be dated to the early 1930s by researching the National Parks. Dinosaur National Monument was established in 1932, and Zion and Bryce national parks (misspelled in this tablecloth as "brice") were established prior to that. This tablecloth highlights some attractions that were only popular in the late 1920s and early 1930s. For example "Bingham Canyon" was a mining town in the 1920s. Auto racing in the Great Salt Lake basin was popular from 1914 to the 1930s. Peach produce farms were a thriving industry in Utah until the late 1930s. This is a great example of an early one-color state souvenir tablecloth.
copyright 2002 by "Pamela Glasell"
