This image is an interesting look into the mid-20th century way of living and fishing. This image is one that might have been familiar to the writer John Steinbeck as he composed his book Cannery Row.
The racks on the right are loaded with fishing nets left out to dry in the sun. They are built on pivots that allow the nets to be rolled on and off as required. The two children are both too young for school, and may in fact live in the building at the end of the dock. The container in front of them appears to be full of floats for the nets. It is not clear what the rails are used for, but it is possible it is for off-loading the catch and moving it more easily.
The caption states:
A Scene at the Fishing Docks – Northport Mich. -61-
This card likely dates from the 1930s.
Month: May 2014
Dryden’s Beach Gardens, Northport Point, Michigan
These lakefront gardens existed during the WW 2 era and likely before and after, but there is no indication that they survive today.
The caption states:
Drydens Beach Gardens Northport Point Mich. P6
Other cards showing this same scene are postmarked in the 1940s, but it is likely the images date from before that time, as such pictures were used continuously for many years.
This card was used, and is postmarked 1943, but like the others it is most likely that this image dates from the 1930s
Beach Scene, Northport Point, Michigan
This series of cards are from the earlier days of postcards, where photographs were printed on heavier stock and stamped on the back with a generic Post Card imprint, showing where to write the address and personal note.
The next few cards show a remote area of northern Michigan’s lower peninsula called Northport Point. The area is at the extreme north end of the Leelanau Peninsula so it is usually visited deliberately and not on the way somewhere else.
The caption states:
Sandy Beach & Drive at Northport Point – com b
The last few letters in the caption are probably sequence numbers for the postcard collection.
This postcard was used, and is postmarked June 1939.
Child’s Sleigh, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska
This is a smaller conveyance than the previous ones, as indicated by it being displayed on top of a table or cabinet. Such a sleigh would only be suitable for a small child as a entertainment, often pulled by a dog or goat, depending on the season. In snowy winters, it could also be used unharnessed by descending down a snow covered slope the way a sled would be used.
The description states:
BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED SLEIGH
Sleigh painted by one of Nebraska’s Famous Artists, Terence Duren. On display with 30,000 times in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This particular sleigh was probably intended only for indoor use. The card likely dates from the 1960s.
Peddler’s Wagon, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska
This is an example of the kind of wagon that roamed the rural roads of the old Northwest and Great Plains, selling necessary and luxury goods that would otherwise not be available locally. Often these peddler’s wagons brought products and devices recently invented or developed, and as yet unknown to the customers along the route.
The description states:
AN 1870s PEDDLER’S WAGON
It came by our house in grandfather’s day. One phase in the evolution of merchandising in the days before Hardware Stores. One of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–Dedicated hardware stores were a long time coming, but hardware could usually be easily obtained from the local blacksmith. As mass production began to squeeze out the blacksmith’s role in making hardware components, general stores would often stock quantities of hardware items which would be supplemented by items from such a peddler.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Street Sprinkler, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska
This tank wagon carried water instead of oil or other comestible liquid. The tank was attached to pipes that extended behind the wagon and sprayed water along the wagon’s route, moistening the dirt roads and reducing dust. Since many towns had no pavement, such sprinklers made for a much cleaner city and populace.
The description states:
THE STREET SPRINKLER
It kept down the dust in Grandfather’s Day. One of the many horse-drawn rigs on display among 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–The card most likely dates from the 1960s.
1850 Omnibus, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska
This coach-like vehicle was the predecessor to the common urban buses of today. Also called horse buses, they were the common public transport for people and belongings within an urban area, or for short distances from railroad depots. Longer distances were accomplished by stage coaches.
The description states:
OMNIBUS OF 1850
It met every train in grandfather’s day. It also preceded the horse-drawn street car. One of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Porter Locomotive, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska
This is a small and simple railroad engine called a Porter locomotive. It was not commonly used for mainline service, the majority of them being built for rail yard and track building/maintenance duties. They were also often narrow gauge.
The description states:
EARLY WOOD BURNING PORTER LOCOMOTIVE
Several of today’s transcontinental railroads started operations with a locomotive like this. It is just one of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks showing man’s progress over the past 120 years. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–Such locomotives were unlikely to be used by Class 1 railroads on their long distance runs. This card is probably from the 1960s.
Conestoga Wagon, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska
This Conestoga wagon is often confused with the more modest Prairie Schooner, which was the common transport for pioneers heading west into and across the Great Plains as far as the Pacific coast of California and Oregon. The Conestoga was larger and heavier, and less well suited for the long journeys of the westward migration.
The description states:
GENUINE ORIGINAL CONESTOGA WAGON
In the line of transportation that starts with the ox-cart and ends with the jet airplane. This is just one of 30,000 items in 22 buildings on 2 1/2 city blocks, showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 Miles West of Lincoln, Nebr. on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This wagon was probably only used in the eastern states for freight transport and was moved to Nebraska as a historical artifact. The card likely dates from the 1960s.
Oil Wagon, Pioneer Village, Minden, Nebraska
The main object in this image is a tank wagon intended to transport oil to service stations and refueling depots. The smaller containers were for other kinds of fuel and lubricants, or for smaller orders. It was owned and operated by the Standard Oil Trust.
The description states:
THE STANDARD OIL WAGON
These were the wagons that made Rockefeller wealthy. This is one of 30,000 items in 22 building on 2 1/2 city blocks, showing man’s progress since 1830. Located 130 miles west of Lincoln, Nebr., on U. S. 6 & 34.
–This card likely dates from the 1960s.