Life — November 26, 1925 — page 15: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical map of Florida by cartoonist Herb Hoover, mocking visitors' exaggerated accounts of the state. The drawing depicts an absurdly fantastical Florida with impossible features: a racetrack that launches cars into the air, a giant alligator, buildings labeled with inflated property values ("1834 National Bank"), and tourist attractions presented as architectural wonders. The title indicates this is a response to tall tales told by people who've visited or relocated to Florida, likely during the 1920s real estate boom. The cartoon ridicules both the exaggerated claims made by boosters promoting Florida development and the gullibility of those believing such stories. Various speech bubbles contain boastful, contradictory claims typical of promotional hype, revealing the satire's target: Florida's oversold image and speculative investment craze.