This is an image showing a small group of Texas longhorn cattle in a corral.
The description states simply:
Longhorn Steers famed the world over.
–These cattle are descended from the first cattle herds brought by Spanish explorers and settlers.
This image likely dates from the 1960s.
Month: March 2017
Garner State Park Entrance, Texas
This image shows the pillars and gates that mark the entrance to Garner State Park in Concan Texas.
The description states:
FW-340 Entrance to Garner State Park between Concan and Laekey, Texas. 640 acres of scenic grandeur in Frio Canyon with its tree-headed camping and picnicking area along the crystal-clear Frio River.
–In 1976 the parks size more than doubled when an additional 760 acres were added.
This card was used and is dated 23 July 1961
Four Lane Highway, Western United States
This image shows the early form of the multi-lane highway as they were first built before the establishment of the Interstate system.
The description states:
A DESERT HIGHWAY
In sharp contrast to early-day travel, crossing the deserts of the west today on broad, smooth highways is an enjoyable experience.
–This highway is interesting to compare to current designs. This road has no median divider separating the opposite flows of traffic. Even more unusual is the dotted line in the center, indicating that it was permitted to cross into oncoming traffic to pass vehicles in the left lane in your direction. Both of these conventions were deemed too hazardous to maintain with the increase in traffic speed and frequency.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Shepherd and Flock, Western United States
This image shows a horse-mounted shepherd and a modest flock of sheep as they make their way along a country road, following a river canyon in the western United States.
The description states:
A WESTERN CANYON
Western canyons with their verdant foliage and shrubs are a welcome sight to the traveler and a paradise for sheep and cattle, a major industry in the west.
–Such sights are less common now that automobile traffic has increased even in rural areas, but much of the intermountain west is still very sparsely settled.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Cattle Ranch, Western United States
This image shows a common sight throughout the western United States: a whiteface cattle ranch.
The description states simply: Cattle Ranch
–This is likely a herd of Hereford cattle.
This card was used and is dated 27 June 1955.
“A Drink of Water” by L. H. ‘Dude’ Larsen
This image is a reproduction of the painting by the prolific Western artist known as Dude Larsen, who created postcards for the tourist trade along U. S. 66.
The description states:
A DRINK OF WATER
Taken form an original oil painting by the noted cowboy artist and poet, L. H. “Dude” Larsen.
—Dude Larsen worked during the 1930s and 1940s making postcards from original paintings such as this one.
This postcard is dated 1939.
Appaloosa Stallion “Charlie’s Pride”, Cascade, Colorado
This is a painting of an award-winning horse named Charlie’s Pride raised on a ranch in Cascade, Colorado.
The description states:
1318
GRAND CHAMPION APPALOOSA STALLION —
“Charlie’s Pride” owned by the Appaloosa Four Bit Ranch of Cascade, Colorado. The Appaloosas are booming well known throughout the west for their Conformation, Color and Ability.
The painting is by Western Artist Darol Dickinson of Calhan, Colorado.
— A basic search for the ranch does not show any current indications it still exists.
The Appaloosa is distinctive for its coloring as clearly shown in the painting. Some examples are completely covered in spots, though spotted hindquarters are more common. The word appaloosa is derived from the region where these horses were first common, the Palouse, where they were called ‘a palouse horse”.
This particular coloring pattern is known as ‘blanket with spots’.
One website indicates that this horse was born in 1958, so this image likely dates from a few years after that.
Freeway and City Hall, Los Angeles, California
This image shows the recently completed Hollywood Freeway in Los Angeles, California, with a view of the iconic city hall in the background.
The description states:
NEW HOLLYWOOD FREEWAY linking Civic Center with Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley.
–The Hollywood Freeway was completed in three parts, the first in 1940, the second in 1954, and the third in 1968. The cars shown here indicate this image is from the 1950s.
Orthodox Native American Graves, Eklutna, Alaska
This image shows a few of the enclosures built by Native Americans who have converted to the Orthodox Christian faith.
The description states:
INDIAN BURIAL GROUND AT EKLUTNA ON THE PALMER — ANCHORAGE HIGHWAY, ALASKA
These colorful miniature houses were erected on the graves of Alaskan Indians and in them were placed some of their most precious possessions.
–Such practices are often the result of melding of two different cultural traditions in unique ways when religious conversions take place in societies with well developed and complex religious rituals.
This card was used and is dated 28 August 1969.
Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, Hawaii
This image shows the Polynesian Cultural Center theme park and living museum located on the north shore of the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
The description states:
POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER, LAIE, OAHU
This aerial photograph also shows a portion of the Church College of Hawaii’s campus and athletic fields.
–The facility was opened in 1973 and is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). The Church College has been renamed Brigham Young University – Hawaii.
This card was used and is dated 11 September 1973.