This image shows a very typical scene in areas throughout Michigan during the fall. As one travels along the more remote rural roads, the density of forest and the presence of birch trees as shown here give considerable color to the landscape as the seasons change.
The description states:
G-126
Dame Nature with her paint brush is the greatest artist of them all.
Vacationland Scene
–This card is dated 1956.
Month: October 2015
Waves Along Lakeshore, Michigan
This image shows a typical Michigan lakefront scene, likely of Lake Michigan or Huron, as smaller lakes would not form whitecaps.
The description states:
G-19
White-capped waves gently break on a lonely beach.
Vacationland Scene
–This card is dated 1957.
Vacationland Car Ferry, Mackinac, Michigan
This image shows the large car ferry that provided transport between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, Michigan, called the Vacationland.
The description states:
No. 81
THE VACATIONLAND
With a capacity of 650 passengers and 150 vehicles, the VACATIONLAND is the ultimate in car ferries. The special design of this ice breaking car ferry permits loading and unloading from either end. Its powerful Diesel engines (9300 maximum H.P.) help it to make the trip across the Straits of Mackinac between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, Michigan in record time.
–It’s primary purpose was to transport people and vehicles between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan in the 1950s. The ferry became redundant with the completion of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957. It served many other owners before being sold for scrap and lost at sea in 1987.
This image dates from shortly after it began service in 1952.
Prehn and Babcock Confectionery, University of Illinois
This image shows one of the eating room of the Prehn and Babcock Confectionery, located on the campus of the University of Illinois, in Urbana.
There is no description on the back of the card.
It is understood that the confectionery was built in the summer of 1928. It is not known if the establishment still exists.
This card likely dates to the 1930s.
Butterfly Dam, Lockport, Illinois
This image is a colorized photo of the end of the Chicago Drainage Canal 28 miles from Chicago.
The description states:
Butterfly Dam at Lockport, the end of the Chicago Drainage Canal is 28 miles from Chicago. The length of the completed main channel is 28 miles. The right of way approximates 6,500 acres and cast nearly $2,500,000.00. The entire cost of the canal was over $30,000,000. By use of the drainage canal the current of the Chicago River is reversed and the pure water of Lake Michigan dilutes with its enormous volume and active flow the sewage of the city of Chicago, and bears it away in harmless form.
–In other words, this is a sewage drain that uses Lake Michigan water to dilute the concentration of the sewage and discharge it into the Des Plaines River. While this is far from a desirable treatment method, it is still in use and continues to direct sewage down the Mississippi watershed.
This card was used and is dated 1926.
YMCA Hotel Lounge, Chicago, Illinois
This image shows an interior shot of the YMCA Hotel on South Wabash Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. This is one of several lounge areas in the hotel, originally constructed as housing for young single men.
The description states:
THE YMCA HOTEL, located at 826 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, is a department of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Chicago. If offers 2,000 fireproof rooms with showers on each floor, spacious lobbies and lounges, daily entertainments and programs, and usual hotel features. Rates 75ยข and $1.00 per day. Membership in the YMCA is not required.
–This hotel was converted into general accommodations in the 1930s and closed in the late 1970s, reopening after renovation as an apartment building.
This card likely dates from the 1910s.
YMCA Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
This card is an illustration of the massive YMCA Hotel as it existed in Chicago, Illinois. It was originally intended for accommodating single men at inexpensive rates, but with the depression expanded it’s clientele to the large numbers needing housing.
The description states simply:
Y.M.C.A. HOTEL – CHICAGO
WABASH AVE NEAR 8TH ST.
–The hotel was closed with the declining fortunes of the surrounding neighborhood in 1979, but has been reopened since 1985 as an apartment building.
This card was used and is dated 31 May 1920.
Federal Building and Towers, Chicago World’s Fair
This illustration shows an artist’s depiction of the Federal Building as it looked during the Chicago World’s Fair of 1933. It was held in Chicago to commemorate a century since the founding of the city. It was also known as the Century of Progress.
The description states:
THREE FLUTED TOWERS AROUND DOME
OF FEDERAL BUILDING
CHICAGO WORLD’S FAIR
These three fluted towers 150 feet high around the dome of the Federal Building represent the three branches of government — administrative, legislative and executive. The towers are illuminated at night.
1833 Century of Progress 1933
Chicago World’s Fair
–The more familiar description of the the branches of government are judicial, legislative and executive. The building was designed by the Bennet, Burnham and Holabird firm.
This postcard was used and is dated 25 September, 1933. Other postcards of this event are here.
Chicago Temple Methodist Church, Chicago, Illinois
This image shows only the spire of the largest church in Chicago, and the tallest building in the city when completed in 1924, the Chicago Temple of the Methodist Church.
The description states:
CHICAGO TEMPLE (First Methodist)
the world’s tallest and oldest church, is located in the heart of the downtown Loop, having occupied this site for 116 years. Its spire, floodlighted at night, is an impressive sight. The Deagan Carillon is heard throughout the downtown area. The “Sky Parsonage” and the “Sky Chapel” are located in the tower, 330 and 400 feet above the street. An active weekday program culminates on Sunday, with overflow congregations coming from all the states and many countries around the world. The church is open daily for meditation and prayer.
Sunday Services: 11:00 A.M. and 7:30 P.M.
Noonday Meditations 12:15–12:45 P.M.
Tours Daily 2:00 P.M.
–While the building retains the title of tallest church building, the tallest church is now Ulm Minster. This building was the tallest in Chicago until passed by the Chicago Board of Trade building in 1930.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
North Park Covenant Church, Chicago, Illinois
This image is of the North Park Covenant Church, the main religious body of the North Park University campus. The congregation is part of the larger Evangelical Covenant Church, which founded North Park College in 1891.
The description states:
NORTH PARK COVENANT CHURCH
5250 North Christiana Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
–The church still operates with the same affiliation today. This card likely dates from the 1960s.