George Washington Slept Here, but that Was Before the Town Got so Noisy!

Postmarked 17 June 1948
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Postcard Caption:

Salem Tavern, in which Geo. Washington Sepnt Two Nights in June, 1791, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Message:

Front: George Washington slept here but that was before the town got so noisy!
Back: Hi Mibby T- We have a hummingbird's nest, Pete lets flying squirrels run up his britches leg, and we've found a swimming hole in a creek within walking distance of the house. Dewberries, blackberries are ripe, also plums and wild cherries and a few huckleberries. Tell Dick to come down and we'll let him fall in our creek. Did you two get promoted? And where is this camp that M.T. is going to? If you want any postcards, you'd better send me the address. Sis can go down stairs now without help. Also loves the creek, goes into the refrigerator, and helps self to bottle and (believe it or not) lemons! She's a big girl, now 13 mos. From Guess Hoo!

According to the Salem-Tavern Museum website, George Washington spent two nights in the Salem Tavern during a tour of Revolutionary War battle sites. While in the vicinity, he attended a service, spoke to people of the town, and studied the waterworks system. In 1791, when George Washington stayed in the tavern, the enterprise owned an African-American slave family.

Underpass and Church

Uncirculated 

Postcard Caption:

View of Underpass and First Methodist Church, Henderson, N.C. 

I am fascinated by this postcard of Henderson's First Methodist Church, which I found at an antique store in Asheville. The church building looks charming with its stained glass windows, but the underpass, despite its comforting symmetry, is such an unpleasant interruption. I wonder if it was a relic of the photograph used to create the postcard or if at the time the underpass seemed more interesting than the church itself.

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!

Mount Mitchell: Forested and Forever Misty

Postmarked 27 May 1907
Clyde, North Carolina

The Mount Mitchell State Park website boasts:

In the crest of the timeworn Black Mountains lies the summit of Mount Mitchell, at an elevation 6,684 feet it is the highest point east of the Mississippi. For those who ascend this mighty peak, what looms in the horizon is a feast for the eyes—breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling ridges and fertile valleys. Forested and forever misty, 1,946-acre Mount Mitchell State Park will provide you with some of the most tranquil moments you'll ever experience.

Mount Mitchell State Park

Yards and Gardens Grow Like Magic

Postmarked 13 May 1943
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

Postcard Caption:

Masonic Temple, Enfield, North Carolina

Postcard Message:

Sunny Boy! I received the beautiful Mothers day greeting from you and Milbrey. Thank you my dears! Mon a.m. I also had letter from my very dear boy, too. Has been so dry but several good showers lately which makes yards and gardens grow like magic. do you have some pretty flowers in your yard? Mrs. -- --- me gorgeous bouquets Sat and Tues and I'm trying to paint a picture of the copper luster iris. best love and all good wishes to my dear children - Mamomie - May 13, 1943 

Ground broke for Enfield's Masonic Temple in 1924, and the building was dedicated the following year. From its opening to World War II, the building served as a theater. During the war, it was closed, and in the 1950s, reopened as Ray Theatre. From the 1960s to 1980s, the building was used in part for storage while its upstairs continued to house masonic meetings and other business. In 2009, the building was purchased and is now operated by Glass Bead Productions. They plan to renovate the lodge so it can be used for productions, presentations, and other events.

The Lodge at Roanoke Valley website

Took Blue Ridge Parkway

Postmarked 8 May 195-
Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Postcard Caption:

Azalea in Bloom in the Heart of the Mountains

Postcard Message:

Thurs. 8:30 P.M. / Drove 186 miles from Gatlinburg to Blowing Rock own (400 pop, maybe 4000 in summer) N.C. Took Blue Ridge Parkway from Oren Vet Hosp near Asheville to here. Altitude up to 5400 along way This own is at 4350 ft. / Dogwood, Blazing Azalea, blue flag. Trillion apple tress and some - in beautiful bloom / Weather better to-day / May get into Va. tomorrow. Love, K--- / We saw no red azaleas but the beautiful yellow.

You'd Feel at Home

Postmarked 11 August 1953
Boone, North Carolina

POSTCARD CAPTION:

Ravine Bridge on Boone Trail between Boone and North Wilkesboro, N.C.

MESSAGE:

Dear Caroline, / The country is beautiful and it's delightfully cool, to. The workshop is wonderful and you are really missing a lot. 75% of the students are class room teachers so you'd feel at home. I'm getting material for you. / I'm having a wonderful time. Will be home about Tues. Aug. 18th. / Love, Esther S.

St. John's Tavern

I received this card in a swap; I suspect the damage in the upper right corner can be attributed not to the postcard's age but to the rough handling of the post office's automated sorting machines.

According to Ann Hewlett Hutteman's book Wilmington, North Carolina, this building, located at 114 Orange Street, was home to the St. John's Masonic Lodge from 1803 to 1825 at which time it was purchased by Thomas W. Brown whose family maintained ownership of the building until 1943. During World War II, James McKoy and Gar Faulkner established the restaurant, St. John's Tavern. St. John's catered to an upscale crowd and was very popular until the mid-1950s. In the early 1960s, the site housed St. John's Art Museum. The museum, which needed a larger more appropriate space, moved to a new location and was renamed the Cameron Art Museum in 2001.

See a more detailed history of 114 Orange Street on the Susan747 blog.

Two Hours from Anywhere

Published by the Asheville Post Card Company

I received this from a swap. I love the colors and the groups of people interacting in the scene.

Andrews, North Carolina City Website

Greetings from Asheville, NC

Uncirculated