This image shows the parking lot and a portion of the municipal pier in Bar Harbor providing transportation for visitors to and from Mt. Desert Island, Maine.
The description states:
Mt. Desert Island Information Booth on the Municipal Pier at Bar Harbor, Maine.
–Prior to 1947 Bar Harbor was a summer destination for the extremely wealthy, who built palatial summer homes in the town. During the disastrous fire of that year, 67 of these mansions were destroyed along with over 100 other homes and 5 grand hotels.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Month: January 2017
Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, Maine
This image shows a group of tourists observing the water and sound phenomenon known as Thunder Hole, in Acadia National Park, on Mt. Desert Island, Maine.
The description states:
THUNDER HOLE
Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, near Bar Harbor, Maine
–This natural feature, known as a blowhole, is found in some coastal areas where the rocky cliffs have been eroded from underneath and a channel created in the rock which is exposed to the surface some small distance inland. The wave action forces the water into the narrow channel and upwards with considerable force and noise at the surface eruption point.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Scenic Drive, Mt. Desert Island, Maine
This image shows the course of the ‘new’ scenic drive which winds inland towards Mt. Cadillac in the distance.
The description states:
New Scenic Drive to Summit of Mt. Cadillac – Mt. Desert Island
—Cadillac Mountain at 1,528 feet is the highest peak within 25 miles of the coast from the Canadian border to well south of the Mexican border.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Vista from Mt. Desert Island, Maine
This image shows the view of the Atlantic from Ocean Drive near the town of Mt. Desert Island, Maine.
The description states:
View from scenic turnout on Ocean Drive, Mt. Desert Island, Maine.
–Mt. Desert Island is the largest island off the coast of Maine, and is the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States (which excludes the large Hawaiian Islands and Alaskan Islands).
This card was used and is dated 24 September 1963, which is consistent with the cars visible in the photo.
Lighthouse, Portland Harbor, Maine
This image is of the lighthouse and associated buildings on Portland Head near Portland Harbor, Maine.
The description states simply:
PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT
PORTLAND HARBOR, MAINE
–The area is known more widely as Cape Elizabeth, and the lighthouse was built in 1791. There has been little change to the buildings themselves, but the lighthouse itself has been upgraded several times from its original whale oil lamps, as well as shortened 20 feet. It is the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine.
This card was used and is dated 18 August 1947
Buffalo, New York State Teacher’s College
This illustration shows the entrance and main building of what was then called the Buffalo Teacher’s College in Buffalo, New York.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The institution has gone through a number of name changes, and has been greatly expanded. It is now known as the State University College at Buffalo, or Buffalo State College.
This particular building is now known as Rockwell Hall.
The name shown on the card was used from 1929 to 1946, so that constrains the date of the card. This card was used, and is dated 27 July 1945
Sylvan Gorge, Watkins Glen, New York
This illustration shows the falls at Sylvan Gorge, one of many such features in the Watkins Glen State Park in New York.
There is no description on the back of this card.
This is a black and white photo that has been manually colored for reproduction according to the illustrator’s tastes. While it is overall an image of wild nature, the low wall on the lower right is clearly man-made.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
New York City Teacher’s College
This illustration shows the main entrance and buildings of the New York City Teacher’s College.
There is no description on the back of this card.
A brief search identified this building as the Teacher’s College at Columbia University, located on 120th Street.
This card was used and is dated 8 July 1953.
Tourist Camp, Watkins Glen, New York
This image is of Westlake’s White City Tourist Camp, once located in close proximity to Watkins Glen and the adjacent park.
There is no description on the back of this card.
Such cabin-style camping facilities have been almost completely replaced around popular tourist locations with modern motel facilities, so this establishment is likely long gone.
The automobiles visible in the image indicate this card is likely from the 1920s.
Franciscan Sisters Chapel, Quebec, Canada
This image shows nuns of the Franciscan Order in their chapel of Quebec City, Canada.
There is no description on the back of this card.
This is a typical black and white photo which has been hand colored to enhance it’s value in a time when color postcards were becoming more common and affordable.
With the decline in membership in such orders, this structure was no longer actively used and was abandoned in 1987. With the passing of time the chapel and adjoining convent building became less desirable, and in 2008 was under threat of demolition.
A recent photo of the location shows the building is intact in its current location, though adjacent land has indeed been developed as a condo complex.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.