This image shows a typical business street in the Mexican city of Piedras Negras, Mexico. It is located directly across the Rio Grande from the Texas city of Eagle Pass. The name means ‘black stones’.
The description states:
Arteria Comercial
Commercial Artery
Piedras Negras, Coah., Mex.
— In the distance is a significant landmark building which will be revealed more fully in the next posting. From the cars shown here, this image likely dates from the 1960s.
Month: April 2016
Lozano’s Curio Shop, Acuña, Mexico
This image shows a typical souvenir shop as it looked in mid-20th century Mexico. The establishment is brightly colored, with high visibility signage and welcoming statements painted on the outside in English for visiting tourists.
The description states:
LOZANO’S CURIOS
Main St., Cuidad Acuña
Greatest selection of native Mexican craft in town. You are always welcome.
— Ciudad Acuña is located on the Rio Grande at the border with Texas, across the river from Del Rio, Texas. It is one of several towns that have developed directly across the river boundary from cities in Texas.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Mexicali Beer Garden, Tijuana, Mexico
This image shows the substantial establishment labelled the Mexicali Beer Garden. It was erected to increase interest in the recently established Mexicali Beer product, still sold today. The actual brewery was in Mexicali, but the Prohibition tourists from San Diego meant that their best selling opportunity was 112 miles closer to San Diego in the small town of Tijuana.
The only inscription on the back of this card is as follows:
Pub. by “The Big Curio Store.”
Lower California Commercial Co., Inc.
Tijuana, Mexico
–The brewing company that produced this beer, and presumably also erected this retail establishment soon after, was founded in 1923, so this image likely dates from shortly after that time. Prohibition was in effect in the U.S. beginning in 1919, and many thousands of thirsty Americans were traveling the short distance from San Diego to Tijuana to drink legally.
The postcard was used, as can be seen by the imprint of the stamp cancellation in the upper left corner, but the stamp was removed long ago, obliterating the postmark, and the card is otherwise undated.
Children Feeding Goats, Santa’s Village, California
This image shows two young children with baby bottles and three baby goats vying for access to the contents of the bottles.
The description states:
SANTA’S VILLAGE CALIFORNIA
Hungry little kids find some true friends among the visitors.
— This kind of animal feeding was not common, but still practiced in some of the small amusement parks around the country. With time, the costs of maintaining a live animal exhibit which was accessible to the visitors like this became too high, both in the requirements of the animals and the cost of potential liability.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Easter Bunny’s Nursery, Santa’s Village, California
This image shows a couple of fairy tale personalities not normally associated with Santa Claus and the North Pole. In this instance, because there was a lot of park to fill and only a limited amount of places that could be identified with Santa and the North Pole, this company included the Easter Bunny, seen here on the right in front of a putative nursery. Paying close attention is Little Bo Peep, who having lost her sheep, is tending two small goats instead.
The description states:
SANTA’S VILLAGE CALIFORNIA
The Easter Bunny visits Santa’s Village every Easter and treats the boys and girls to gaily colored eggs.
–As indicated, the presence of the Easter Bunny character was seasonal, so the building behind him was labelled but unused most of the year.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
North Pole Exhibit, Santa’s Village, California
This image shows the ‘official’ North Pole location in the Santa’s Village amusement park, attended by colorfully dressed employees acting as Santa’s Helpers.
The description states:
SANTA’S VILLAGE CALIFORNIA
The ever-frozen North Pole, topped by its pixie, is a cool retreat for Santa’s friends and helpers.
–The reindeer visible in the image is labelled Comet, presumably to allow easier identification by visitors. The elven helpers would normally be young people from the nearby cities who would work during the summer and fall weekends.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Santa Train, Santa’s Village, California
This image shows the narrow gauge train used at Santa’s Village to transport visitors around the grounds. Santa is currently acting as engineer.
The description states:
SANTA’S VILLAGE CALIFORNIA
All aboard for Santa’s train, which makes an exciting trip through the Enchanted forest and Lollypop Land.
–The two sites mentioned were decorated features for the tourists to view as they rode along. Such narrow gauge engines, typically powered by diesel and not steam, were common in these small amusement parks.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Santa Village Entrance, Santa Cruz, California
This image shows the main entry gate to the amusement park called Santa’s Village. It was touted as being in Santa Cruz, but while it was in Santa Cruz County, it was several miles from the city of Santa Cruz, in the area known as Scott’s Valley.
The description states:
SANTA’S VILLAGE CALIFORNIA
Welcome House is the entrance to a child’s paradise in a fairyland forest setting.
–Unlike most other amusement parks of the mid-20th Century, Santa’s Village was deliberately built in a mature forest, preserving the trees (some seen here) as an integral part of the park experience.
Santa’s Village opened in 1957, two years after the much more famous and popular Disneyland, and closed in 1979, the victim of the rapid expansion of amusement parks with expensive and high quality thrill rides.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Gateway Lodge Motel, Seaside, California
This image shows the Fremont Street side of the Gateway Lodge Motel, located at the northern end of Seaside, California.
The description states:
GATEWAY LODGE MOTEL
1909 Fremont Blvd.
Seaside, California 93955
Phone (408) 394-6606
Color Cable T.V. — Queen Size Beds – Direct Dial Phones – Free Coffee
“The Gateway to the Monterey Peninsula”
— This motel still stands in its original configuration and location, as seen on the Gateway Lodge website. Unlike other older establishments, this one appears to have prospered and the rooms are modernized.
This image likely dates from the 1970s.
Lettuce Field, Salinas, California
This image shows an expansive field of lettuce located in the fertile Salinas River valley, where much of the U. S. domestic lettuce crop is grown.
The description states:
VALUABLE ACRES
Of crisp head lettuce being readied to uphold Salinas legendary reputation as “The Salad Bowl of the Nation.”
—Salinas is a city as well as a river and associated valley, and is the seat of government for Monterey County.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.