It Took Two Trains to Get Us Here

Postmarked 31 May 1952
Niagara Falls, New York

Postcard Caption:

Niagara's water plunges 160 feet to the surface of the waters below, then travels beneath the surface for a distance of 1-1/4 miles and rises again to form the lower rapids.

Message:

Dearest Mom:/ Just remembering you from the Falls. It took two trains to get us here. Now back to Buffalo - the zoo and then Kenmore. Love, Clara

Hello, Grandma, It's beautiful here. Love from Freddie

Thank You dear Clara and Freddie dear, Mamy

You are welcome

We Are Going Here Memorial Day

Postmarked 29 May 1922
Dayton, Ohio

Message:

Front: We are going here, Memorial Day. 

Back: Dear Helen: / How are you (and 'Dutch')? Ha! I have been here a week and am having the lovliest time. / Edith and Bobby are well. He is the dearest little fellow now, but he keeps me busy answering his questions. Edith's husband has a radio set, so we have good times 'listening in'! We can hear all the good music and lectures. Lovingly, Mary - Bowers

Before the Veteran's Administration was created in 1930, the Central Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers provided rehabilitation and medical care to veterans of the Civil War and World War I. According to the Department of Veteran's Affairs website:

From the outset, Veterans were given a zest for life through healthful exercise, reading, music, and charming surroundings, and healthcare programs prepared them to re-enter society. The founders took great pride in establishing rehabilitative workshops during the first year of operation. The Veterans were taught a trade, or how to carry on a business, in order to become independent of the Soldiers Home.

From the website, it looks like this postcard captures the parade grounds, which seemed to be a site of a boisterous Memorial Day celebration. History.com explains that Memorial Day, which honors the men and women who died while serving in the military, was originally known as Decoration Day. It did not become an official federal holiday until 1971.

Dayton VA Medical Center, Ohio

One Hundred Years Ago: Took a Walk around Here

Postmarked 29 May 1911
Atlantic City, New Jersey

Postcard Caption:

Young's Residence on Million Dollar Pier, Atlantic City, N.J.

Message:

Took a walk around here. / J.A.D.

John Young was a policeman and entrepreneur whose real estate ventures allowed him to construct this house on the end of the million dollar pier. The Atlantic Weekly describes it as follows:

"[Young] built a three-story Italianate villa complete with conservatory and classical statuary. An international butterfly collection embedded in plate glass captured visitors in the reception hall and dining room. Fishing chum Thomas Edison had a hand in designing the exterior lighting for Young's marble mini-palace, whose address of No. 1 Atlantic Ocean was an official stop on the U.S. Postal route."

Here is a 1910 article about Caption Young's House from the New York Times.

A Thirty-Five Million Dollar Steel Harp

Uncirculated
Published by Gilboy Agency
Printed by E.C. Kropp, Inc,.

Construction on the bridge began on January 5, 1934; it was opened to traffic on May 28, 1937. On the day it opened, the San Francisco Chronicle called it, "A thirty-five million dollar steel harp." Until 1964, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world; today, it is the ninth longest.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Don't You Think I Live in a Pretty House?

Postmarked 26 May 1950
Nashville, Tennessee

Postcard caption:

The Hermitage, the Home of President Andrew Jackson, situated twelve miles from Nashville, has been called the Mt. Vernon of the South. Through the Ladies Hermitage Association, the handsome old estate has been preserved and appears just as it did in the days of "Old Hickory." The architecture is colonial, the verandas are wide and long, and the rooms are long and spacious. The original Hermitage was built in 1804 of logs and part of it is still standing. In 1805 Aaron Burr was entertained in this log house. It was to this log house also that General Jackson returned, the conquering hero and idol of the nation, after the Battle of New Orleans. The present mansion was built in 1819. General Lafayette was entertained at the Hermitage in 1825, and President Roosevelt visited there in 1907. In the yard are the graves of Andrew Jackson and his wife and other members of the family.

Message:

Hello Milbrey - Don't you think I live in a pretty house. Wish it wasn't such a long carriage ride to Washington D.C. I hear the British are landing at New Orleans so - bye - I gotta go quick. A. Jackson.

I believe these delightful postcards were sent to Miss Milbrey Turner by an aunt. I admit I am a little envious: I wish I had someone who wrote me such cards when I was young!

As for Andrew Jackson, I am not impressed by his presidency. His attitude and policies toward Native Americans created disruption and death among Indian tribes. When I hear him spoken of, I actually have a uncontrolled physical shiver of repulsion.

The Hermitage Website

The Noblest Temple

Uncirculated

St. Patrick's Cathedral officially opened on May 2, 1879. According to the church website, newspapers lauded the structure, calling it “the noblest temple ever raised in any land to the memory of St. Patrick, and as the glory of Catholic America.”

I took this photo when I visited New York City last March:



St. Patrick's Cathedral Website

Mischievous Pugs

Uncirculated

One Chair, Twelve Men

Uncirculated

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Uncirculated
Published by Asheville Post Card Co.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Website

Little Burros Trudging along the Steep Cobblestone Streets

I saw this postcard several times at a local antique store before I finally purchased it. I love the artwork.

I don't love that the postcard is an early chrome or that it is missing a stamp and postmark.

Message:

Dear Patricia / We have seen many of these little burros trudging along the steep cobblestone streets. Mexico is beautiful at every turn wherever there is water available. This morning we went to Chapull--, saw date palms, Chinese coffee trees - other tropical plants. Will be home April 19. Love, RKM(?)

Main Street, Ardmore, Oklahoma

Uncirculated

I took this picture when I was home in December 2010. I think it is the same block depicted in the postcard.

Thanks to Beth at the Best Hearts are Crunchy for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday!

Waterworks Park | Detroit, Michigan

Postmarked 19 May 1908
Detroit, Michigan

Message:

Reminds me so much of Juo K's palace (?) / C.

Detroit architect Joseph E. Sparks won a competition to design the city's watertower. Fully functional by 1879, the tower also doubled as an observation deck and the surrounding 110-acre park drew many tourists. By 1895, new technology made the tower obsolete, but it remained vibrant as an attraction through the 1920s, though it was shut during World Wars I and II due to security concerns. In 1945, the structure was ruled unsafe and closed to the public and was demolished in 1962. Although some areas of the park were remained open, today the entire park is closed to visitors.

Waterworks Park Tower History

Hello Folks

Postmarked 18 May 1951
De Witt, Michigan

Message:

Hello Folks. / We are having a wonderful time visiting Pauls and Lucilles Had a nice trip and the weather is wonderful. Will see you I hope when we get back / Helen and Bob

The Lansing, Michigan post office today:


View Larger Map

Arrived in Fine Style... Here I Go Again!

Postmarked 17 May 1945
New York, New York

Postcard Caption:

HOTEL NEW YORKER 34th Street at 8th Avenue NEW YORK CITY Private Tunnel to Pennsylvania Station 2,500 rooms, each with "protector-ray" private bath including tub and shower radio and servidor. Four popular restaurants featuring the world-famous Terrace Room. Rates from $3.85 a day.

Message:

Arrived in fine style - an ensign I met on the train took care of me and asked to show Polly and I the sights today - here I go again! Margaret

The Hotel New Yorker opened in 1930 and was renovated in 2007. In 2008, Hillary Clinton used the hotel as her Super Tuesday campaign headquarters.

Hope to Be Home in Time for Ladies Aid

Postmarked 16 May 1946
Frankfort, Kentucky

Message:

Dear Emma Mae / Just to tell you we are having a wonderful time and hope to be home in time for Ladies Aid. I -- Dick in Indianapolis. He sure looks wonderful. / C. ---

Controversy on Daniel Boone's resting place is explored in this Roadside America article.

One Hundred Years Ago: She Has Not Done Any Thing with My Hat Yet

Postmarked 15 May 1911
Penn Yan, New York

Message:

Dear Mother. Dora thinks the float (hat?) will look Better trimmed in Black and White Checked ribbon. I thought you had a Piece if you have send it up if you have not I will get some for you so you need not bother with it. She has not done any thing to my hat yet. S is coming over tonight he will tell father about the Pigs and -- I will bring your float (hat?) when I come. They want $3.00 a Piece for Pigs but it is too much.

Kneeling Venus

Uncirculated

The Old Steine, Brighton

Uncirculated

National Postcard Week Highlights

Postcard by the Tropical Post Card Club
Photograph by Allan Pierce

National Postcard Week Highlights

Postcard by Celine Ryan

National Postcard Week Highlights

Postcard by Bill Buehler

National Postcard Week Highlights

Postcard by AR & RR Cottingham

Stone Mountain

Postmarked 7 May 1925
Riverside, California

Publisher: Imperial Post Card Co.

Postcard Caption:

STONE MOUNTAIN, 16 MILES FROM ATLANTA, GA. The steep side of Stone Mountain has been dedicated to the Confederacy by the U.D.C., and thereon will be carved in relief a stupendous monument of Lee and Jackson at the head of the Confederate Hosts. Each figure will be approximately 30 feet in height; the horses, cannon, etc., as true to life as it is possible to be made. Stone Mountain will stand through the ages as an everlasting monument to the Boys of the Confederacy. (Atlanta Convention Bureau)

I had no idea Stone Mountain was so tied to the Confederacy and KKK history. I thought of it as a highly commercialized park with a nightly laser show. Once I looked up the history of Stone Mountain for this blog entry, I had second thoughts about posting the card at all. According to the Interweb, Stone Mountain was the site of the 1915 KKK revival and host to rallies from 1931 to 1981. But I suppose that it's not the location's fault that people are so horrible to each other. The "mountain" itself is one of the world's largest exposed pieces of granite. Artifacts from as early as 10,000 have linked settlement to the area. In the 16th Century, it was a neutral meeting site for warring Creek-Cherokee tribes. In the 18th Century, representatives of the American government met with Creek micos.

The history of the postcard itself is not as obvious. There is no message or signature. It's a rare vintage postcard that is sent via air mail. Why on earth was this one so important? I can't find reliable information on the recipient, Joel H. DuBose, though it seems he wrote unpublished manuscripts on Confederate military history.

Stone Mountain, in 1999 on July 4:

Moonlight Scene

Uncirculated

About the Bridge

Mont Saint Michel

Uncirculated

Visiting Mont Saint Michel

Just a Few Weeks More and I'll Know My Fate

Postmarked 3 May 1910
Grand Forks, North Dakota

Message:

Dear Pearl- / How are you all? I often think of you but am so busy most of the time now. Just a few weeks more and I'll know my fate. Either I'll pass or not. Eleanor has gone to Fargo and is working in the Tri State Telephone Office. Sophie Lou is back again and working at Mrs. Knudson's millinery store. I want you to write me soon and tell me what you are doing do you ride horseback much? I intend to take a long rest when I finish I don't know where I am going yet Give my love to your mama and papa. Mary Daisy.