Greetings from Carlsbad, New Mexico

Postmarked 11 October 1945

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Published by Curteich (7A-H2484)

Postcard Caption:

GREETINGS FROM CARSLBAND, NEW MEXICO / County seat of Eddy (formerly historic Lincoln County), famous for early day cattle wars and feuds of cattle-men. Located in the fertile Pecos Valley, it boasts a mild winter climate--average temperature 63 degrees with fine fishing and hunting in nearby mountains Carlsbad has the only two potash mines in America, but it is best known as the Gateway to the famous Carlsbad Caverns, 24 miles distant. This city of 7,500 population has ample accommodations for the throngs of visitors who visit the Caverns yearly.

Postcard Message:

Ernie / 10/11/45

When I went on my first road trip with my grandparents, we traveled to California through New Mexico and Arizona, stopping at Carlsbad Caverns. Since then, it has had the status in my mind as a most amazing place.

Despite my love for the area, I've only been there once since my first trip. In 2000 or 2001, my then boyfriend and I took a trip to Carlsbad Caverns. I signed us up for a couple of "at your own risk" tours which were worth it. When we embarked on the Spider Cave Tour, we had to wear helmets and protective gear for our climb through narrow passages. A little scary but exhilarating.

Our other tour was of Slaughter Canyon Cave, if I remember correctly. After the first tour which made me feel like a tough adventurer, the second tour wasn't as intense, but I think I fell and embarrassed myself on this "easier" tour. Now, I feel nostalgic and wish I could visit Carlsbad Caverns RIGHT NOW! I miss cacti and the desert.

My post here is heavy on Carlsbad Caverns because, besides the caverns in the "C," I can't identify any of the scenes in the other letters. Maybe a reader could help?

Greetings from the Finger Lakes

Postmarked July 22, 1952

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Postcard Caption:

FRONT: Greetings from the Finger Lakes of Central New York 

BACK: One of the great vacation and tourist centers of America is the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York It was the Garden of Eden of the Red Men.

F - Historical Canandaigua Court House
I - General John Sullivan's Monument near Waverly
N - Taughannock Falls, near Ithaca
G - Skaneateles Lake
E - The Historical Scythe Tree
R - Geneva Harbor, Seneca Lake
L - Famous Catharine Creek Trout Stream
A - Lucifer Falls, Robert Tremain State Park, near Ithaca
K - A trail in Watkin Glen Sate Park
E - Sailboating, Keuka Lake
S - Harris Hill, Gilder Capitol, Elmira

Postcard Message:

Dear John / arrived in Niagara Falls. Around 4 p.m. / Hoping everything is O.K. - Pi---

The Finger Lakes landscape was formed over two million years ago when glacial flows cut deep trenches in the earth as they crisscrossed the region. The Native Americans living here attributed the finger-shaped lakes to the Great Spirit who left fingerprints when he touched the earth to bless it with fertility and marked it as sacred ground. Unfortunately for the Iriquos who were living in the region, they sided with the British during the American Revolution. In 1779, George Washington ordered Generals Sullivan and Clinton to retaliate, and their campaign destroyed over 40 villages, hundreds of acres of farmland, and stored food and supplies. Since then, the land has been in the hands of white settlers. After a brief period of industrialization, the region is now known for recreation, the wine industry, and its higher education institutions.

View Larger Map

I really haven't explored much of the area, even though we've been here nearly six years now. Of course, we have spent a lot of time at Cayuga Lake, and a reasonable amount of time around Seneca Lake. George and I, with the dogs, have driven around Keuka Lake together once. In 2012, I swam across Cayuga Lake (the short way, about 1-1/2 miles) to raise funds for HospiCare, and George now works at a winery that overlooks Seneca Lake. But there is still lots to do to catch up!

T-B: Seneca Lake, Robert Tremain State Park, Keuka Lake, Cayuga Lake

I'd love to see your Finger Lakes Region postcards or hear about your favorite attractions in the region!

References

• Finger Lakes History
• The Finger Lakes Museum, Walk through Time
• USDA Forest Service, Finger Lakes - History and Culture

Where Wheat Grows and Oil Flows

Uncirculated

Printed by Curteich, 1942

Postcard Caption:

Greetings from Enid Oklahoma | "Where Wheat Grows and Oil Flows"

E – Hiland Tower

N – Bass Building

I – Broadway Tower

D – Downtown Historic Distric

Here's the Broadway Tower today (via Google maps):

View Larger Map

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Broadway Tower was once the tallest structure in Enid. Built in 1931 as a hotel, it now houses shops and offices.

My mother, dad, and aunt went to Philips University in Enid, Oklahoma. I don't think I ever visited the town while I lived in Oklahoma, which is surprising in retrospect.

For You A Rose

Uncirculated

Published by Angelus Commercial Studio, Portland, Oregon

POSTCARD CAPTION:

FRONT: For You a Rose in Portland Grows / Greetings from Portland, Oregon 

BACK: Key to Views on Other Side
P - Air View of Business District
O - Crown Pont and Vista House
R - Bonneville Dam
T - Multnomah Falls
L - Laurelhurst Park
A - St. John's Bridge
N - Mt. Hood
D - Portland-Columbia Airport

I travelled to Portland recently, and loved the city as well as what I saw of the Columbian Gorge. For many years, Multnomah Falls was the most visited tourist attraction in Oregon. Now, it is number two. A casino has ascended to the top spot.

Very Cold Here and Still the Snow, Of Course

Postmarked 3 January 1948
Syracuse, New York

Message:

To say: - thank u for the card. Glad u had a nice Dec. 25. I had also. My folks are not living, nor do I have relations only my children: - Very cold here and still the snow of course. Am reading "Great Expectations" by Dickens. Want to read "Immortal Wife" and "Capt. from Castile":- Do not go to movies. A successful New Year's to you and yours. / Ida Lake

Perfect In Every Detail

Postmarked 2 July 1936

Asheville, North Carolina

Postcard Caption:

Asheville, N.C., year-round resort city, is the eastern gateway point to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within a circle of 100 miles around Asheville are about 100 peaks over a mile high, all clothed with forests of hardwood, spruce, balsam; with rivers, sparkling mountain streams, cascades, falls, and a climate unsurpassed in all the world. the central metropolis of Western North Carolina, Asheville is one of the great sports and recreation centers of Eastern America.

Postcard Message:

The trip has been perfect in every detail. I have thought of you so many times and ahve wondered if you visited the same spots. do not put the key out till next week. / B.E. Wa-s

Another trip, this time to Asheville, North Carolina!

For a different large letter from "one of the great sports and recreation centers of Eastern America," see my November 28, 2010 post!

Greetings from Philadelphia, Pa.

Uncirculated
Published by Curteich 1937

I am heading to Philadelphia today for a workshop!

I am not sure what the sites in the letters represent, except for: H = Betsy Ross House, L(1) = Independence Hall, L(2) = William Tell Statue, D = Fairmount Park, P(2) = Philadelphia Museum of Art, and I(2) = City Hall.  Any ideas for the others?

Greetings from Canton, Illinois

Postmarked 7 May 1945
Camp Ellis, Illinois

Postcard Caption:

Greetings from Canton, Illinois

Postcard Message:

Helloa Yolanda: / I'm feeling fine and hope your [sic] the same. I'm sorry I did not drop you a card sooner, cause I didn't know your address until now. I want to thank you for everything you did for me and I hope your son is feeling fine. / Your Friend / Pat

Camp Ellis was a training facility that operated between 1942 and 1944, and, according to the InterWeb, it also housed German prisoners-of-war.

Camp Ellis Brochure 

Greetings from Oregon

Uncirculated
Published by E.C. Kropp

Postcard Caption:

Greetings from Oregon Oregon--area 96,699 sq. m., ow which 1,092 sq. m. is water; 9th state in size; admitted into the Union in 1859. State flower - Oregon Grape. Capital - Salem. Good commercial fishing, especially Salmon. Manufactures: Lumber products (including furniture), paper and wood pulp, flour and grain products. Places of interest: Crater Lake National Park; Oregon Caves National Monument; Mt. Hood and other splendid peaks and mountain scenery.

I've never been to Oregon, but it's a state I'd very much like to visit!

Canton, Ohio

Uncirculated
Published by Curteich (~1941)

Postcard Caption:

Greetings from Canton, Ohio

How Did You Make Out Bowling?

Postmarked 25 October 1948
Manchester, Connecticut
Published by Capitol Novelty Company

Hartford is the capitol of Connecticut, so I'm guessing that is one of the buildings featured in the letters, but I'm clueless about the other scenes.

POSTCARD CAPTION:

Greeting from Hartford, Conn.

MESSAGE:

Hi Old Dear / Hows did you make out bowling? / Will see you soon, / Love Eva

Greetings from Michigan

Uncirculated

POSTCARD CAPTION

M - Alger Falls, Alger County
I - Fishing, Presque Isle River
C - Manitou, Isle Royale
H - Castle Rock, St. Ignace
I - Shrine Tower, Royal Oak
G - Dome of State Capitol, Lansing
A - Twin Towers, Irish Hills
N - Old Block House, Mackinac Island

My in-laws drove all the way from Detroit today to bring us greetings from the mitten state.

Greetings from Oklahoma

Uncirculated
Published by Curteich (~1939)

Greetings from Wyoming

Uncirculated
Published by Sanborn Souvenir Co.

Postcard Caption:

Wyoming is still the state where primitive nature may be found. Great mountain areas are unspoiled by human works and are reached by trails. Fish and Big game are abundant and great wide open unfenced prairies spread out for scores of miles. Here is the home of the duded ranch, the hunting camp, the park trips, the cowboy and cow pony, and many other colorful characteristics of the old West.

Welcome to the Finger Lakes

Uncirculated
Published by Curteich (1949)

Postcard Caption:

One of the great vacation and tourist centers of America is the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York. It was the Garden of Eden of the Red Men.

F - Historical Canandaigua Court House

I - General John Sullivan's Monument, near Waverly

N - Taughannock Falls, near Ithaca

G - Skaneateles Lake

E - The Historical Scythe Tree

R - Geneva Harbor, Seneca Lake

L - Famous Catharine Creek Trout Stream

A - Lucifer Falls, Robert Treman State Park, near Ithaca

K - A trail in Watkins Glen State Park

E - Sailboating, Keuka Lake

S - Harris Hill, Glider Capitol, Elmira

School Is Swell

Postmarked 16 January 1951
Los Angeles, CA

Message:

Dear Mibs, / Wish you were here. The school is swell! My new address is 4245 Degman Blvd, Los Angeles, 8, Cal.

It's too bad that the cool postcard design was printed so poorly. Just as now, in the days of linen postcards, not all printers were created equal.

Greetings from Davenport

Uncirculated
Published by Curteich (1939)

According to the InterWeb, Davenport is Iowa's third largest city. The economy now is based on manufacturing (thanks to a nearby John Deere facility) rather than agriculture.

Greetings from Asheville, NC

Uncirculated

Greetings from Georgia

Uncirculated
(early 1940s)

Greetings from Tennessee

Published by E.C. Kropp
1940s-mid 1950s

I received this cool postcard from a swap. It looks like an authentic vintage postcard - from the feel and amount of wear, I would guess it is not a reproduction.