For many years, particularly in the sprawling landscape of Southern California, the Thomas Guide was an indispensable tool for drivers navigating the intricate network of freeways. It was as crucial as a spare tire, until the advent of traffic apps seemed to render paper maps obsolete. While younger generations in Los Angeles may not be familiar with it, the Thomas Guide continues to exist, with updated editions still being published.
The history of these guidebooks and fold-out maps began in 1915 when the Thomas brothers established their publishing business in Oakland. Their first city map focused on Los Angeles and was released in 1946. San Francisco and other California cities were subsequently mapped, and the business expanded to cover regions throughout America and Canada.
The Central Library in Los Angeles houses the only known complete collection of these rectangular, ring-bound guides. Glen Creason, the library’s recently retired map librarian, noted that the library used to provide free photocopies of the Hollywood and downtown pages because motorists frequently tore them out due to cost or loss.
The advent of GPS technology and traffic apps marked a turning point. Despite its extensive database, the Thomas Guide struggled to adapt to the digital era, leading Rand McNally, the then-owner, to reduce costs and replace cartographers. It appeared that the guides were destined to become a relic of nostalgia, yet they persisted.
Larry Thomas, the current majority owner of the Thomas Maps brand, operates from his office near San Antonio. He noted that the Thomas Guide once had numerous distributors in California and was also published in Spanish.
Currently, only the guides for Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego/Imperial counties are still in production. However, Thomas anticipates strong sales.
“Private car owners are now a very small part of our business,” he explained. “California state legislation mandates that every police and fire vehicle carry a Thomas Guide. GPS often doesn’t cover fire roads, and ambulances can’t afford to get lost, as every second could be critical. They often purchase laminated copies due to wear and tear.”
These sales account for 1,000 to 1,500 units annually. As a distributor for Rand McNally and other map and atlas brands, Thomas also provides custom maps with “extreme detail” for transit agencies, hospitals, animal control, and other organizations.
Thomas believes he was fortunate to begin his career as a distributor around 30 years ago and that his last name was a beneficial factor.
“I received the blessing of the original owners, the Thomas brothers, who stated that my last name wouldn’t infringe on their copyright,” he said, “allowing me to legitimately call myself Thomas Maps.”
While Angelenos often lament glitches in their traffic apps causing delays, could the Thomas Guide be on the verge of a resurgence, similar to the revival of vinyl records? Its continued use by emergency services suggests that this navigational tool, offering precise detail and unmatched reliability, will not vanish any time soon.
