Rand McNally

Did you know Rand McNally started as a small printing shop? It all began in 1856 when William H Rand arrived in Chicago from Boston. He established a printing shop. He soon hired Andrew McNally an Irish immigrant and skilled printer. Together they built an empire. Rand McNally & Co was formed in 1868. Initially they printed business directories and railroad guides. Their first map appeared in an 1872 railroad guide. This marked the beginning of their mapmaking dominance. Using a wax engraving method they mass-produced affordable maps. Rand McNally became the largest mapmaker in the United States. By 1880 they employed 200 men and 50 women. Annual sales reached a remarkable $500000. The company expanded into atlases and textbooks. Rand sold his share to McNally in 1899. Both founders sadly passed away in 1904-1905. The McNally family ran the company for much of the 20th century. Annual sales hit $2 million in 1913. This was shortly after they began creating road maps for the growing number of car owners. The iconic Rand McNally Road Atlas debuted in 1924 as the Auto Chum. In 1952 with over 1000 employees they relocated headquarters to Skokie. Sales surpassed $100 million in the 1970s. They opened retail stores in 1989 eventually owning about 30 nationwide. They also embraced electronic maps with their Streetfinder brand. The McNally family sold Rand McNally in 1998 for $500 million. A private investment group AEA Investors bought the company. They aimed to transform it into a high-tech multimedia company. However financial setbacks led to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2003. Rand McNally emerged with new ownership Leonard Green & Partners. From a small printing shop to a mapmaking giant Rand McNally’s journey is a testament to ambition innovation and resilience. It’s a story etched in ink on countless maps and atlases. A legacy that continues to shape how we navigate the world.