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The School Maps

Beginning in the 1930’s every school in Canada, (no matter how big or small) could receive free maps. The COPP Clark Company of Toronto mailed letters with the following message: "A Map of Canada Absolutely Free" or " A Map of the World Absolutely Free."

The maps were supplied free and mailed prepaid by "William Neilson Limited". The only string attached was they were not to obliterate the advertising in any way. The advertising was chocolate bars in the corner of the map and the company name.

In 1953 William Neilson Limited conducted a survey and provided the following information: Approximately 55,000 of the Neilson Map of the World and the Map of Canada were sent to schools across Canada.

We understand that many schools had either the Map of the World or the Map of Canada, or both. These maps also had to be replaced periodically, and they were, upon request. Twice during the period of these maps they had to be updated to illustrate the changing countries of the world.

Rural teachers used these maps extensively as part of their lesson material. In some schools these Neilson Maps were the only wall maps available to them at that time. These maps were used to pinpoint the various battles raging in Europe during the big war. Students were encouraged to share war news they may have heard on the radio. It is rather sad to think of children discussing war goings on in what must have seemed like another world to them. Sadder yet to know that, even when World War 11 ended, it wasn’t The War to End All Wars, as it was hoped.

One little girl from Aspelund School recalls how her stomach rumbled at the sight of the chocolate bars painted in the corners of this large map. She could hardly wait for lunch time to come so she could eat her lunch, as she was very hungry.

Over time these Neilson Maps acquired many nicknames: the chocolate flavored map, the sweet map, the map that made your mouth water every time you studied it, or the map with its oceans filled with chocolate bars.

These maps may have disappeared from the present school walls but a few can be found in museums, in archives and some antique stores.

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Nielson's Map
1900's
Rural areas around Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society