Month: January 2014

This image shows two of the three main cascades of the lower falls. The color of the water as it passes over the falls here is a result of tannin released by leaves falling into the river along its course.

The description on the back states:
LOWER TAHQUAMENON FALLS
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Sometimes referred to as “the root beer falls”. It is an interesting fact that actually there is a greater volume of water going over the lower falls than the upper. Many people enjoy wading in the shallow waters beneath the falls.
–The postcard is dated 1953, but it was mailed and postmarked 1964.

This picture is taken from almost the same vantage point as the previous image, but emphasizing the right side of the falls and with no person posed in the photo.

The description on the back states:
LOWER TAHQUAMENON FALLS
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Here can be seen the “golden” waters as they cascade over the jutting rocks. This color give rise to the nickname of “Golden River” which the Tahquamenon is often called.
–Of note is the presence of the driftwood which has snagged at the top of the falls. Even though  a part of this area is shown in the previous image, the wood was not perched there at the time the other photo was taken. This image is dated 1958.

Up a little closer to the cascade, this image shows a typical tourist of the era seated on a nearby rock outcropping for the best close-up view of the falls.

The description on the back states:
LOWER FALLS OF THE TAHQUAMENON RIVER
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
These beautiful cascading falls are formed by three rock steps with a combined drop of 43 feet. Located six miles downstream from the upper falls, the lower falls are accessible by boat from Emerson and by car along the new Tahquamenon Falls Highway from Newberry to Paradise. Available at the Lower Falls is a State Park camping site and picnic facilities.
Color by Lucy Gridley
–This card also notes that it was possible to purchase copies of the Kodachrome slide that was the source for this photo. This picture is believed to date from the 1950s.

This image begins a series of the Lower Falls, this one showing the falls at some distance across the rapids below the falls.

The description on the back states:
LOWER FALLS OF THE TAQUAMENON RIVER
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
These beautiful cascading falls are at the left of Tahquamenon Island, and constitute a series of falls known as the “Lower Tahquamenon Falls.” At the right of the island are four other equally beautiful falls, to be seen by taking a rowboat to the Island and following the woodland paths.
Color photo by Art Lauren
This image is believed to date from the 1950s.

This image shows the Upper Falls just as the first early trees have changed color.

The description on the back of the card states:
UPPER FALLS OF THE TAHQUAMENON RIVER
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Seen here from a favorite vantage point along the woodland path approaching the falls. Accessible by cruise boats from Soo Junctions and Hulbert, as well as by auto along the new Tahquamenon Falls Memorial Highway from Newberry to Paradise.
–The highway has since been extended and renamed the Curly Lewis Memorial Highway and encompasses all the old route and extensions further along Whitefish Bay. This card is believed to date from the 1950s.

This image is an aerial view of the Upper Tahquamenon Falls as they appear during the height of the Autumn colors. It is probably the favorite time of year for tourists to visit the area, as both the falls and the forest have much to delight the eye.

The back of the card states:
UPPER FALLS OF THE TAHQUAMENON RIVER
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
This aerial view of the falls shows the woodland beauty in which the Tahquamenon river is located. Second only to Niagara in the middle west, the upper falls have a drop of 48 feet.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

The Toonerville Trolley is a narrow gauge rail line used as a tourist attraction and transport for visitors who wish to travel on the Tahquamenon River itself via the tour boat.

The description on the card states:
THE TOONERVILLE TROLLEY
Originated in 1928 by the late Capt. Joe Beach. Passengers ride from Soo Junction to Hunter’s Mill where a river boat is boarded for the scenic 21 mile cruise to the Tahquamenon Falls.
The card is dated 1952.

This card shows the tour boat that transports visitors along the river and provides a unique view of the river and surrounding park during its travels.

The description states:
RIVER BOAT TAHQUAMENON
Making daily excursions on the beautiful Tahquamenon River to Tahquamenon Falls  in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Wildlife, historic places, and unspoiled beauty are seen en route. The boat is boarded via the Toonerville Trolley at Soo Junction, Michigan.

Here is a wide aerial shot of the Upper Falls and a considerable extent of the river that feeds the falls. The area is still very wild and preserved as a state park.

The description on the back states:
UPPER TAHQUAMENON FALLS AND RIVER
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
The rushing blue waters of the Tahquamenon River winds its way for miles through broad swamps, thickly forested ridges, and between stone cliffs over 100 feet high, where it widens to 200 feet at the top of the Falls, and transforms to a “Golden” color as its turbulent waters plunge approx. 40 feet over a sandstone cliff.
The card is is not dated but is likely from the 1950s.

In this image we see the main cascade nearly from the side, and it highlights the deeply colored water as it flows over the precipice.

The description states:
UPPER TAHQUAMENON FALLS —
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
The impressive angle from which the falls are viewed here shows to greatest advantage the full 48 foot height of these mighty falls — the second largest east of the Mississippi.
The card is dated 1952.