This image is a view of the dock built and maintained by the city of Petoskey, Michigan, located near the northernmost point of the lower peninsula of Michigan.
The description states:
2–The Petoskey municipal dock cost $60,000. The money was raised from subscriptions of $1.00 to $100.00 given by individuals, businesses and industry.
–It is not apparent whether the dock exists currently, or whether it has been replaced by the marina complex now extant. This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Month: December 2015
Port Austin Lighthouse, Michigan
This image shows the Port Austin Lighthouse, located just off the northern tip of the ‘thumb’ of Michigan’s lower peninsula, where it protects ships from a dangerous reef.
The description states:
Michigan Thumb Scenery
Port Austin Lighthouse, Port Austin, Michigan
–The lighthouse was constructed in 1878 and has been regularly updated since then. It is now maintained by a private restoration group, and runs off of solar power.
This card is dated 1957.
Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth, Michigan
This image is of the Bavarian Inn Lodge building, part of the larger complex of buildings located in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
The description states:
FRANKENMUTE BAVARIAN INN
Frankenmuth, Michigan 48734
Frankenmuth family style chicken dinners are world-famous. In a town of only 2,750 people, 7,000 dinners may be served in a single day. Dining Room, Coffee Shop, Stein Room, and Gift Shop. Located 15 miles south of Saginaw and 25 miles north of Flint. Get off I-75 Expressway at Birch Run-Frankenmuth Exit (Northbound), and on Frankenmuth-Bridgeport Exit (Southbound).
–This card is dated 1972.
Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth, Michigan
This image is of the famous Bavarian Inn, located in the town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, as it looked in the 1960s.
The description states:
Frankenmuth family style chicken dinners are world-famous. In a town of only 1900, 6,000 dinners may be served in a single day.
Dining room, Coffee Shop, Stein room and Gift Shop. Located 15 miles south of Saginaw and 25 miles north of Flint. Get off the I-75 Expressway at the Birch Run-Frankenmuth Exit (Northbound) on the Frankenmuth-Bridgeport Exit (Southbound).
–Error is in the original text. The business has thrived and expanded to include lodging and other activities. This image is dated 1967.
International Bridge, Eagle Pass, Texas
This image shows the approach to the international crossing between Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, In Mexico.
The description states:
INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE at Eagle Pass, Texas links two very favorite cities on the Mexico border. Thousands of American tourists cross here on their way to the interior of Mexico, while Mexican citizens visit the American side to shop at the many well-stocked stores in Eagle Pass. Peidras Negras is one of the prettiest Mexican towns on the border. The building in the background is the new American Customs Building.
–Eagle Pass is a small city, with a population of less than 30,000. Piedras Negras, in contrast, is estimated to be almost 140,000.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Hilltop Motel, Galveston, Texas
This image shows the Hilltop Motel in Galveston, Texas, a short distance down the coast from Corpus Christi. The swimming pool is typical of the time, with a slide for children and a diving board. As time passed, these were typically removed, as they were sources of accidents and injuries, and thus a significant cost liability for the owners.
The description states:
Enjoy your holiday at
HILLTOP MOTEL
5-Mile Road West Beach, Galveston’s First and Only Complete West Beach Motel. Attractively Appointed Guest Rooms and Suites, Reasonable Rates – Air Conditioned – Wonderful Swimming Pool and Beach.
Phone Sh. 4-4423
–The address where this motel was located is now an empty lot. This postcard was used and is dated 28 June 1964.
Corpus Christi Skyline, Texas
This image shows a marina with boats in the foreground, and the skyline of Corpus Christi in the background.
The description states:
FW-276
CORPUS CHRISTI SKYLINE–Corpus Christi, Texas…as seen from the beautiful yacht-filled basin of Corpus Christi Bay.
–While some of these boats might reasonably be called yachts, others shown here are not. Specifically, the middle boat of the five shown is a small day-trip pleasure boat.
The blue arrow was drawn by the person sending the card to indicate the location of the restaurant where the family ate while visiting the city marina.
This card was used and is dated 2 July 1962.
Cotton and Oil Production, Corpus Christi, Texas
This image shows a typical crop dusting airplane, one that distributes various kinds of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer and other treatments for the cotton fields shown here. In the background is an oil well apparently in the midst of the cotton fields, where oil is being pumped.
The description states:
FW-415 COTTON AND OIL INDUSTRIES…are major sources of income for the Corpus Christi and Coastal Bend Areas. Last year, 1960, 354,352 bales of cotton were ginned and moved through the Port of Corpus Christi…mostly for export markets. Within 150 mile radius of Corpus Christi are some 17.,500 producing oil wells with a daily allowable of about 675,000 barrels. Much of it flows to Corpus Christi for refining of for shipment in a crude state through the port’s various harbor terminal divisions.
–Corpus Christi is the Spanish term for ‘Body of Christ’. The export of crude oil has been prohibited for several decades, but the law is currently being reconsidered given the increase in domestic production in the last several years.
The date of this picture is indicated in the description: 1961.
Alamo Village Cantina, Bracketville, Texas
This image shows several reenactors inside the cantina, dressed and armed in the style of the 1800s, though with clothes and weapons of a somewhat later time period than the original setting of 1836.
The description states:
Curly’s famous Cantina located in ALAMO VILLAGE, 7 miles North of Brackettville, Texas on the Shahan Angus Ranch, where the best food in town is served and the toughest outlaws hang out.
–Curly is presumably the bald man behind the bar, the name apparently referring to his long sideburns. While the description of the customers refers only to outlaws, the grey haired man to the right of Curly is wearing a star indicative of a lawman.
The signs also indicate drinks not typical of the time, as the cantina was also intended to be an active restaurant for tourists as well as a historical presentation.
This image likely dates from the 1960s.
Alamo Village Street Scene, Bracketville, Texas
This images follows closely on after the previous posting, with the camera highlighting several of the reenactors who were hired to present a living village to the tourists rather than a street of empty buildings and souvenir shops at the Alamo Village movie set.
The description states:
TRADING POST AND CANTINA
ALAMO VILLAGE, BRACKETVILLE, TEXAS
On a peaceful morning, gunfighters and cowboys relax in this scene from the porch of the Tascosa Hotel. The stagecoach has just left on an adventure-filled trip of the area, where tough outlaws hang out.
–All the people visible in the image are hired performers, who would act in the style of the times, and would stage scripted events throughout the day for the visitors to watch.
This image likely dates from the 1960s.