This image is of the college gymnasium building on the original campus of the Western State Normal School, now the campus of Western Michigan University.
There is no description on the back of the card.
These Normal Schools were established to provide training for public school teachers throughout the state. As time passed, they either closed, or in the case of Western, evolved into more comprehensive training and research institutions.
As this building was erected in 1925, and the institution was known as a Normal School only until 1927, it is certain this card dates from the mid-1920s.
Month: August 2015
Kalamazoo Public Library, Michigan
This illustration shows the front entrance and street corner display box of the original Kalamazoo Public Library, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The box appears to feature a patriotic display of United States images and publications, along with a small Uncle Sam doll.
There is no description on the back of the card.
This Romanesque building was erected in 1893 and served as the city library until 1957, when it was demolished and replaced with the current structure, along with four additional branch libraries.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
Kalamazoo Court House, Michigan
This image shows the second court house for the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The first, built in 1835, was much smaller and made of wood. This building was erected as a replacement in 1882, and was a three story brick structure. It in turn was replaced by a six-story building in 1937.
There is no description on the back of the card.
This building was erected to house the county courtroom and related offices for the county of Kalamazoo. This image likely dates from the 1930s.
Bear Exhibit, Milham Park Zoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan
This image is of a bear moving around inside the enclosure provided for bears at the Milham Park Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The stone structure is not at all representative of the habitat for such bears, but was likely easy to clean.
There is no description on the back.
This zoo no longer operates, having been closed in 1974, and no new institution was opened in its place in Kalamazoo.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Pere Marquette EMD E-7 Locomotive
This illustration is one of the new series of streamlined locomotives produced by General Motors’ Electromotive Division. This one was a E-7 version, operated by the Pere Marquette during the declining days of passenger rail transport in the United States.
The description on the back states:
THE PERE MARQUETTES
First of the postwar streamliners. Pere Marquette Railway’s all-reserved-seat coach trains operate on Michigan’s fastest rail schedules between Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids.
–While these are arguably the most photogenic, the most well known Pere Marquette locomotive still in operation is the Pere Marquette 1225, a 2-8-4 Berkshire locomotive restored and used as the model for the film “The Polar Express”.
I was personally involved in the restoration of the 1225 during my time at Michigan State University between 1974 and 1977. I acted as MSU Railroad Club Secretary as well as working directly on the locomotive.
This illustration dates from the 1940s.
Elevated View, Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan
This is an image of the main road through Grand Rapids at the time, Michigan Avenue. Visible in the image is a set of streetcar tracks which served the entire visible length of the avenue, and the Michigan Avenue bridge over the Grand River.
There is no description on the back of this card. The original photo had some detail problems which have been crudely corrected with black outlining, clearly visible in the back right of the image, most notably around the church and steeple. Of course, it has also been colorized as well.
Given the age of this card, it is almost certain the photograph was taken from a building tower or steeple and not from an aircraft. This postcard was used, and is dated 3 July 1915.
First Methodist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan
At first glance, this postcard appears to be identical to this one, posted here long ago. The photographs on which the colorized version is based is the same, with only a couple of very interesting revisions.
The description on the back states:
THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
FULTON STREET at BARCLAY AVENUE
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
–Among the changes between this card and the previous one are the legend at the bottom, which now omits the word ‘Episcopal’, as that part of the church name was retired after a merger in 1939. Additionally, the code number at the bottom right is the same with the addition of ‘-N’, indicating a new version of the card.
Most telling are the two cars visible in the image. The older card shows cars typical of the 1930s, while this image shows cars typical of the 1940s in exactly the same locations.
This image almost certainly dates from the 1940s.
U.B.A. Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan
This colorized image shows a palatial building used as a public hospital in Grand Rapids at the beginning of the 20th century.
There is no description on the back of this card. The U.B.A. is the Union Benevolent Association, previously the Ladies’ Union Benevolent Association, and this organization built the hospital in 1886. Visible on the porch is at least one nurse and likely some additional staff. By this time the building was also used as a nursing school.
In 1915 this building was replaced with a more purpose-built structure named Blodgett Memorial Hospital, on a nearby location in the city. It was in this new Blodgett Hospital Maternity Ward that my mother was born in 1932.
This postcard was used and is dated 2 January 1907.
Campground, Michigan
Shown in this image is a typical campground for tourists traveling by car. Clearly visible are various kinds of tents that have been unpacked and erected on the ground near the owner’s car.
The description states:
MICHIGAN – WATER-WINTER WONDERLAND
Camping is fun in Michigan. Excellent campgrounds with facilities for tents and trailers are available all over the state. Visit Michigan
–The text is vague and indicates the intent was to encourage tourism by promoting the common availability of campgrounds such as this. This postcard is likely from the 1960s.
Fallasburg Bridge, Lowell, Michigan
This is an image of a covered bridge, a structure built to improve the lifespan of otherwise exposed timber bridge elements, which typically would only last a decade or so without cover. This example is the Fallasburg Bridge near Lowell, Michigan.
The description states:
FALLASBURG COVERED BRIDGE
In Kent County, a short distance north of Lowell, the Fallasburg Bridge crosses the Flat River. Still in use today, this is one of several covered bridges near Grand Rapids, Michigan.
–While they are no longer ideal for heavily used transportation routes, these bridges are maintained and renovated for their scenic and historical interest. This image likely dates from the 1950s.