list_text=          Sam McKim inspired many a Disney film and theme park attraction with his imaginative drawings. Yet, the actor-turned-artist is probably best known to Disney fans as the creator of the Disneyland souvenir maps, issued between 1958 and 1964. Even today, his intricate and fascinating maps remain among the most sought-after pieces of Disney memorabilia. In 1992, Sam's cartography genius was encored when he created a new map in his unique style to commemorate the opening of Disneyland Paris.
          Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1924, Sam moved to Los Angeles with his family during the Great Depression. At 10, he began working as an extra in movies with such Hollywood legends as Spencer Tracy, John Wayne and Gene Autry. Even then, Sam had a knack for art.
          He said, "I was always drawing something or other. I'd draw caricatures of the actors and they would sign them for me."
          During high school he submitted some of his drawings to The Walt Disney Studios and was offered a job in the traffic department with an explanation that "the breaks would happen...later" Instead, Sam enlisted with the U.S. Army to fight in World War II with the American Infantry Division. Upon return, he enrolled at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and graduated in 1950, the day before he was drafted into the Korean War. After 14 months of service, he returned to the U.S. and attended Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles.
          In 1953, Sam found himself having to decide between accepting a role in a John Ford movie or a job with 20th Century Fox making story sketches for films. He happily accepted the latter because "working behind the camera was what I really wanted to do."
          After a lay-off at Fox, in 1954, Sam joined Disney creating inspirational sketches for Walt's new theme park - "Disneyland." Among his first sketches were Slue Foot Sue's Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland. He later contributed to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Carousel of Progress, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.  Eventually, every land at the Park benefited from Sam's magic touch.
          He also contributed to such Florida theme park attractions as the Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom and Universe of Energy in EPCOT. Sam also developed inspirational sketches for the Disney-MGM Studios.
          From time to time, Walt asked Sam to storyboard Disney films, as well. Among them are "Nikki, Wild Dog of the North," "Big Red," "Bon Voyage" and "The Gnome Mobile." He also developed storyboards for episodes of Disney's television series, "Zorro." After 32 years with the company, Sam McKim retired in 1987.&