From Flip Pages to Pin Drops: My Journey with a Rand McNally Sidekick

What a wonderful journey down memory lane, Dorie! Your Rand McNally sidekick was more than a map—it was a symbol of grit, adaptability, and growth. Love how you’ve embraced change while honoring the tools that helped shape your career. 🚗🗺️💙

Dorie, pre-real estate Liz was an outside sales rep for a pet supply company.  Lots of street by street atlases for area cities from Kentucky to Indiana to central Ohio.  We found those about a week ago when we were sorting through stuff for our move.  We tossed 'em!  Me, on the other hand, I still keep a Rand McNally atlas in my car for long road trips, just in case GPS fails (and the fact that near my parents cell phones and GPS don't work).

Hi Dorie, I remember using one of the spiral Rand McNally maps when I first started real estate in the early 2000's. I was glad to switch over to using a Garmin GPS device, but it had to get updates for all the new communities that were going up so quickly.  Good thing Google Maps were out by then. 

Dorie, your remembering McNally is fun.  I found it quite interesting though you were quick on the uptake that chasing business everywhere it calls is not the way to go about it.  No matter the temptations.  Takes many of us way too long to learn.  Kudos.  m

Dorie, I think the found of GPS, should be a millionaire!   That was the BEST versus having a mapbook in our car.   I had one too.

Dorie I had a Rand McNally spiral map book with detailed maps of all CT towns, and then one for the Country.  Those maps were constantly by my side in the car!!!

Dorie Dillard Austin TX  I do remember the first GPS systems, and somewhere in my basement I still have the Tom Tom system I once used. 

I wonder if they can update the maps

Also, my Atlas is still in the car

Hi Dorie:

We have certainly come a long way from using the hard-copy Rand McNally Maps for guidance to our destinations. GPS is great, but far from perfect, especially with new communities.

Jeff

Hello Dorie - while I was aware of Rand McNally, Thomas Brothers maps were much more commonly used in Southern California.  By real estate professionals and so many others.  When new additions were released as new communities were built, infrastructure expanded and many sorts of other things came about, they were a must-have accessory.  Ah, change. . .    

Good Sunday morning, Dorie. Thanks for sharing some of your memories and your personal experience.

I still enjoy using maps! On road trips, if my husband is driving, I keep one in my lap to follow along. Granted, if I'm driving, I use GPS but only after I've already scoped it out on a map - whether that's online or on paper.

Good morning, Dorie... great post. And great minds think alike and all that, as I have a draft waiting for final touches on just this topic.

I feel that I have always struggled a bit with maps, and I remember writing down turn by turn directions for myself, rather than looking at a map throughout my journey, haha.

Good morning Dorie Dillard Austin TX oh boy, the good old Atlas Maps, I have not seen on in ages. With the new technology, I don't know how we would get around. We would just have to remember where we are going and start stopping for directions like the good old days. haha

Dorie, Just the other day while driving to meet a client, Larry and I were talking about how we used to rely on those maps to find our way around. It was so challenging trying to read them as it got dark out and figure out the road names and exact addresses!

Hi Dorie,
My market area was small enough that I had a single one-page map from the Chamber of Commerce. I knew the area well, but I'd plot out the houses I was going to show and determine the most efficient route.  There have been many new subdivisions since I retired, so I don't know if they have that paper map anymore. GPS is probably the only option. 

I always have an atlas in my car. On my road trips, I like to look at the route I will be taking the next day, to get a feel for the space and geography. I also plot midpoints to be sure to avoid the high-traffic areas whenever possible. So, a combination of both works best for me.

Hi Dorie- this brought back memories for me as well. When I staffed offices, I called on companies all over the Houston area. I relied on those maps. 

Good morning Dorie. When I worked for a real estate investment firm specializing in multifamily, my job was selling complexes all over the country. I had a file box of city and state maps in my office and many times had them spread out on my desk in utter confusion. Today I would be able to pick up a rental car and ask for directions. Oh, the times they are a changing. Enjoy your day.

Dorie Dillard Austin TX ,  I remember trying to navigate the country with one of those!  And for the most part, it worked pretty well!  Thanks for a walk down memory lane!  Kathy

Hello Doris and I remember buying my map books and using them in the old days and now  my car talks to me to get me to addresses.