# American Fantasy Maps Geographer Stentor Danielson Envisions US Cities as Imagined Places By Meghan Young | Published 2014-10-10 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fantasy-map References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/3036718/infographic-of-the-day/these-tolkien-esque-maps-turn-american-cities-into-fantasy-realms) & [etsy](https://www.etsy.com/shop/Mapsburgh) Many people have often wished they could enter an [imaginary realm](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canva-spotlights) envisioned by an author or scriptwriter and one person has made that seem somewhat possible with a series of American fantasy maps. Inspired by the whimsical [cartographic style](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pastmaps) of J.R.R. Tolkien's images that help flesh out Lord of the Rings' Middle-Earth, these fantasy maps are full of detail in only the best of ways. Created by Stentor Danielson, a geographer based in Pittsburgh, the American fantasy maps essentially romanticize industrial cities such as his hometown as well as Cleveland, Ohio. His impressive series of fantasy maps started at a young age. Stentor Danielson tells Fast Co Design, "Throughout my childhood I made hundreds of maps of imaginary and fantastical places, in a variety of styles cribbed from different fantasy novels." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Fantasy Map Art:** The trend of geographers creating fantasy maps of real-life places using a whimsical cartographic style, presents an opportunity for artists to create custom maps for individuals and businesses alike. - **Industrial Nostalgia:** The trend of romanticizing industrial cities through fantasy maps presents an opportunity for businesses to leverage consumers’ nostalgia by highlighting historical features of their products or services. - **Childhood Visions:** The trend of creating imaginary and fantastical places as a child is being translated into adult creativity through fantasy maps, providing opportunities for toy, game, and related industries to tap into people's fond childhood memories. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Geography:** The geography industry has an opportunity to capitalize on the trend of fantasy map art by offering custom cartography services. - **Tourism:** The tourism industry can leverage the trend of fantasy map art by offering guided tours of cities using customized fantasy maps created by local artists. - **Real Estate:** The real estate industry can use the trend of industrial nostalgia showcased in fantasy maps to market historical buildings as both attractive and filled with character. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fantasy Book Vacation Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourth-winginspired.md) - [Map-Inspired Fleece Blankets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xplorer-maps.md) - [Abstract Fantasy Home Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abstract-fantasy-home.md) - [Laser-Cut Urban Artistry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-cut-city-maps.md) - [Interactive Fantasy Universe Attractions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-immersive-quest.md) - [Design Fantasy Game Manuals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drnjns-dragan.md) - [Cinematic Location Mappings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cinemapper-maps.md) - [Immersive Art Escape Rooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daydream-adventures.md) - [AI-Powered Global Facts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geofacts.md)