Life, 1907-02-07 · page 51 of 52
Life — February 7, 1907 — page 51: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Santa Fe Railroad advertisement**, not a cartoon. It appears in *Life* magazine following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. The ad's purpose is **damage control and tourism promotion**. While the San Francisco fire devastated that city, the railroad reassures potential travelers that California remains desirable: resort hotels, missions, beaches, orange groves, and perfect weather are unaffected—merely "a speck on the map." The ad aggressively markets luxury train travel ("The California Limited") at various price points ($110–$200+ from Chicago), emphasizing comfort amenities (Pullman cars, fine dining under Fred Harvey's direction, observation parlors with libraries) to attract wealthy travelers while also offering economical tourist options. The subtext: don't let one disaster deter you from visiting California's attractions. It's a straightforward commercial message capitalizing on disaster recovery.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
2. SS WSS SS 7S == = ==, VSS OESSSS-— OHSS LB OSS OS OS SSS The Truth about California The San Francisco fire affected only a small fraction of Cali- fornia territory—a mere speck on the map. California in general is just as inviting as ever. The great resort hotels at Coronado, Pasadena, Redlands, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Monterey are open as usual and thronged with visitors. The old missions are there—telling the fascinating story of Spanish conquest. The ocean beaches are there—where one may take a surf plunge in January. The orange groves and palms and rose- gardens are there—out of doors, not in a hothouse. And the perfect climate is there—every day a June day for golfing and kindred sports. You are invited to visit California this winter. The trip may be made luxuriously on The California Limited, or economically in a tourist sleeper. After reaching California you have the choice of stopping at magnificent resort hotels, amid semi-tropical surroundings—or of a comfortable stay at less pretentious inns. You may take a four weeks’ tour, starting from Chicago, for as little as $175 to $200; a longer stay mean- ing only a reasonable additional sum for hotels. Where the best of everything is, desired, it may be had for no more than the charge for similar service elsewhere. Round-trip California excursion tickets, limited to nine months for return, are now on sale at $110 from Chicago. Proportionate rates from other points. Pullman berth, accommodating two persons, $14. The California Limited the only train to Southern California, via any line, ex- “clusively for first-class travel, runs daily, Chicago and Kansas City to Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. It has a Pullman for the Grand Canyon of Arizona, the world’s wonder. All the Way The club-buffet-smoker will please the ‘‘men-folks,’? with its daily market reports hot from the wires, and its cosy barber-shop. ‘The Compartment Pullman on this train affords a grateful seclusion, which will be especially appreciated by ladies, In the Observation Pullman parlor is a library, also the current magazines, and stationery. The dining-car meals are under the direction of Fred Harvey. On request will mail complete descriptive literature. Address Passenger Department, A.T 4S F. Ry. System, 1117 Railway Exchange, Chicago, or Santa Fo agent at Cincinnati . 29 Traction Bldg. Des Moines... . Equitable Bldg. St Lous | toy NoSeventh St Kansas city 2 2], 95 Main St. art) St. Atlanta 16N. Pryce St. Denver gen ath St Phila 1. "Jar ChestnatSt, Cleveland, 318 Williamson Bldg. Minneapolis’ © Cuarasty Bldg. Galveston, Gen. Pass.08., G.CA'S.F.RY. comicbooks.com