This is a few small examples of the rock known as chert. It is a sedimentary rock, and sometimes contains small fossils, as shown in the sample on the left.
The description states:
CHERT
Banded and mottled Chert (embedded fossils). Usually occur with limestone or dolomites, and found throughout Michigan in glacial drift. Chemically the same as Japer and Flint. Can be tumbled or cut for lapidary work.
–As it has properties similar to flint, it was also used in making bladed implements and weapons. The card is dated 1962.
Author: desteede
Arcadian Copper Mine, Hancock, Michigan
This image begins a series of cards showing the interior of what was the only copper mine open to the public, the Arcadian Copper Mine. This first image shows two miners in a chamber leading down a tunnel, lined with a rail for ore cars. The picture is blurry in the original, and it probably was not well lit when photographed. The resulting retouching and colorization has created the effect seen here.
The description states:
ARCADIAN COPPER MINE
Ripley, Hancock, Michigan.
Guided tours underground thru a real Copper Mine. Open June thru October 15th.
–The three rails on the ground are actually two rails, left and inner right, which carried the ore cars. The furthest right rail is in fact a pipe, likely used for ventilation. This card dates from the 1950s.
Great Lake shoreline highway, Michigan
While this card is not marked as such, it is likely it is also from the northern lower peninsula. The waves present on the water point to the shoreline of either Lake Michigan or Lake Huron, both of which are close by the Iron River area.
The description states:
G26 A SCENIC HIGHWAY
No vacation is complete without a drive over one of the many beautiful and scenic highways of this area.
Vacationland Scene
–The large flattened grey area near the distant car is a turnout, both to allow other, faster cars to pass safely and to allow travelers an opportunity to get out, take pictures, or even collect rock souvenirs. The cars present in the scene confirm the date on the card: 1954.
Lakeshore Road and Bridge, Iron River, Michigan
This more general image is of the relatively basic roadways common to rural areas in the mid-20th Century. The main roads would all be paved with asphalt, but such roads as shown here would be mostly dirt and crushed rock which made it possible to forego more expensive materials and construction.
The description states:
Greetings from Iron River, Michigan
G-150
The breath-taking beauty of a drive off the main highway is ample reward for a few hours time.
Vacationland Scene
–The background of the picture appears to show a significant structure among the trees, possibly a camping site or trailer parking.
Picnic area near lake, Indian River, Michigan
This photo follows along the previous post and shows some more of the basic amenities available in the 1950s for folks spending time near the lakes of Indian River, MI.
The description states:
Greetings from Indian River, Michigan
G-247
White Birches & Blue Water make the Northland superbly scenic.
Vacationland Scene
–This view of the lake near Indian River reinforces the Impression that it was a location where families would have second, summer homes which combined with some additional public access areas. This card is dated 1959.
Lake near Iron River, Michigan
This image is a recreational lake, common throughout the eastern and central United States. While the lake is not identified specifically, it would appear to be associated with summer homes and cabins that were prevalent around such lakes, as indicated by the simple boat launches spaced regularly around the lake shore.
The description states:
Greetings from Indian River, Michigan
G-245
A quiet spot in the land of enchantment for resting or fishing.
Vacationland Scene
—Indian River, Michigan is located at the northernmost end of the lower peninsula of Michigan, and is adjacent to Burt and Mullet Lakes, of which this is likely one or the other. The card is dated 1959.
Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox, Ossineke, MI
This is the second of two photos of the same scene, this one in landscape format, showing the legendary Paul Bunyan and his companion, Babe the Blue Ox. Here they are situated on a hill overlooking a nearby highway. They have since been moved to a town park and restored.
The description states:
MICHIGAN’S PAUL BUNYAN LOOKOUT on U.S. 23. Of steel and concrete construction. Paul – 25.5 ft. weighs 11.5 ton. Babe – 10.5 ft. weighs 4.5 ton.
–This photo is very similar to the previous one, and the shadows on the fave of Babe are in the exact locations, indicating that the photos were taken only a few seconds apart. However, they are not the same and simply reformatted, as the position of the tree branch behind Paul’s head is different in each photo.
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Ossineke, Michigan
This is the first of two postcards depicting the legendary Paul Bunyan and his companion Babe, the Blue Ox. This particular statue pair is located in Ossineke, MI, near the old US Highway 23. Originally, Babe was constructed alone in 1938, without any legendary attribution, as a white bull overlooking the town as a symbol of good luck. In 1950 a new owner of the property painted the statue blue, and in 1953 added the Paul Bunyan statue. In 2006, the statues were moved from the hill to a town park and restored a year later.
The description states:
MICHIGAN’S PAUL BUNYAN LOOKOUT on U.S. 23. Of steel and concrete construction, Paul – 25.5 ft. weighs 11.5 ton. Babe – 10.5 ft. weighs 4.5 ton.
–The hillside location is obvious from the view and the presence of the highway in the lower right. This postcard is dated 1957.
Bingham Canyon Copper Mine, Utah
This image shows the narrow canyon leading to the Bingham Canyon Mine, an open pit mine that covers the entire background of the photo.
The description states:
BINGHAM CANYON AND COPPER MINE, UTAH
The most unusual town in the world, Bingham Canyon is one street wide and three miles long. Its single street leads up the floor of the canyon and the homes and business buildings hug the steep mountain sides. In the background tower the terraces of Bingham Copper Mine, largest open-pit copper mine in the world.
–This card has a small pouch of copper ore attached to the side, much the same as the salt samples commonly attached to similar postcards. This card is believed to date from the 1960s.
Pioneer Monument, Salt Lake City, Utah
Shown here is a view of the Pioneer Monument erected just outside the Temple Square precinct, with an unusual souvenir attached.
The description states:
SL-109 — PIONEER MONUMENT AND “MORMON” TEMPLE
This impressive monument to Brigham Young and the “Mormon” Pioneers, stands at the intersection of Main and South Temple Street. On one side is the statue of the famous scout Jim Bridger, and on the other, Washakie, a friendly Ute Indian Chief. In the background is the magnificent “Mormon” Temple, the most imposing structure in Temple Square, and perhaps the most famed building in the west.
–This is an example of an intact card with the small pouch of salt from the Great Salt Lake, which once would be mailed without issue, but today would not be allowed because it would foul the address reading machines. It was an extra penny to mail such cards when they were new. This card dates from the 1960s.