Pictured is an accidental performance by some bear cubs that once lived at the Clinch Park Zoo in Traverse City, MI. This is in past tense both because the bears likely died of old age long ago, but also because the zoo closed September 6, 2010, victim of budget cuts and the outdated and restricted habitats available to the animals. It had been in operation for over 75 years.
These three young entertainers were probably drinking milk or some similar formulation, and the fact they all reared up at the same moment upon receiving their meal made for the memorable photo.
This postcard was mailed and postmarked, the date being June 19, 1939, so the picture dates from the 1930’s.
Author: desteede
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
This is a delightful reflecting photo of the Seminary Chapel and Pond on the grounds of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. It is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church.
The description on the back of the card states:
At the south end of the campus stands the Seminary complex of classrooms, offices, an auditorium and a beautiful chapel shown here on the edge of the campus pond. The first unit of the Seminary was completed in 1960. An addition was dedicated in 1975.
North Park College and Theological Seminary, Illinois
This weekend features a postcard folio of the educational institution where my great uncle C A Jacokes taught as a Math professor most of his professional life. I don’t list his full name since he didn’t have one. He was named C A on his birth certificate and was always referred to by the family as C A.
This folio is dated 1960, which was just after North Park renamed itself as a College. in 1997 it was retitled again to North Park University, while remaining in its original location in the Chicago suburbs and its original function as the sole seminary for the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Mentioned in the descriptive text is North Park Academy, a high school program operated by the College. It was closed after graduation ceremonies in 1969.
Curiously, the captions on the portrait format photos are along the long edge intstead of the bottom of the photos, which would match the other photos in this collection. Presumably, the manual layout techniques of this era did not allow for the publisher to put captions on the short edges, something that would be trivial today.
These photos also show some interesting historical details of the technology and lifestyles of that time, particularly in the campus store, the language lab and the medical clinic.
Mini Cards: Hotels and Mark Twain House
Among the other pictorial souvenirs available were these business card sized ones, which were not meant to be mailed (being too small). They were usually given as promotional advertising reminders or as small collectibles.
First is a business card from a boarding house in Watkins Glen, NY.
The card appears to be from the 1940’s, since the phone number is a local branch office type which were widely replaced in the 1940s and 1950s. Also, an online search shows a multi-family structure at this address built in 1940, which would fit the type of business described.
Next is a two sided color photo business card from a motel in Willamsburg, VA.
Again, this card is likely from the 1940s, as indicated from the obsolete four digit phone number. An online search (via Trulia) shows the buildings in the photograph still standing, but boarded up and blocked by a fence. More recent satellite imagery indicates the old buildings were torn down recently and replaced with a condo/apartment building on the site.
Next are three souvenir photo cards from the Mark Twain birthplace in Hannibal, MO. They have descriptions on the back transcribed after each photo.
The Dining Room in Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home, Hannibal, Missouri. On the table is Mark Twain’s own lap writing desk, and a knife-and-fork basket. In the “Adventures of Tom Sawyer” Peter the Cat jumped out the window of this room, squalling and breathing fire, after Tom gave him a dose of Pain-killer, a patent medicine.
The Kitchen in Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home, the Tom Sawyer House, in Hannibal, Missouri. A charcoal foot-warmer sits before the ancient rocker. On the table is a candle-lantern, and a fluter (device for putting ruffles in dresses and curtains) with a crank. Brass and iron kettles gleam on the “Geneva No. 7” stove
Stature of Mark Twain in Riverview Park, Hannibal, Missouri. Erected by the State of Missouri in 1913, the sculptor was Frederick Hibbard. The inscription reads: “His religion was humanity, and a whole world mourned for him when he died.” The heroic bronze figure looks out from a three-hundred foor bluff over the river that he played on as a boy and navigated as a pilot. On a clear day places twenty miles and more away may be seen from here.
These photos are also likely from the 1940’s.
Chillon Castle, Lake Geneva, Switzerland
The last postcard in this series is a photo of the Château de Chillon, built on a promontory extending into Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It is much larger than it appears from the angle of the photo, as most of it extends back from the current point of view.
There is no description on the back except for the printing company, noted above. This is marked as 1495 in the series. It is not the date of the castle, which has existed at least since the 12th century.
Reuss River Bridge, Train Station and Alps, Lucerne Switzerland
This postcard is an elevated view of the bridge across the outflow of the Reuss River (at right) as it enters Lake Lucerne. In the near background is the Lucerne Train Station, and the far background is lined with Alps.
The photo likely dates from the late 1920’s, as the card was purchased during a holiday visit in 1930.
It is number 1517 in the series.
The Lion of Lucerne, Switzerland
This postcard is a closeup of the famous memorial to the Swiss Guards who defended the French Monarchy against the revolutionary mobs in France in 1792. The card has as its only legend the Swiss name Löwendenkmal.
The inscription below the lion is much longer than shown here, and includes the names of many of those who died in the defense. The postcard was likely purchased in 1930, though the artwork has not changed meaningfully since its creation.
It is number 1624 in the series.
Chapel Brigde, Lucerne Switzerland
The scenery changes to Switzerland this week, and begins with a view of the Kappelbrücke and Pilatus, the mountain in the background. As indicated on the image, the mountain is 2132m high. More recent measurements indicate a hight of 2128m. This appears to be a painted photo.
The picture is undated and the card unused, so the era of the photo is uncertain. Given that it was likely purchased the same time as the German postcards shown earlier, it would indicate a date in the late 1920s or 1930.
Rhine Tour, 1930’s – Lorelei Rock 2
The postcard tour of the Rhine river concludes with another view of the Lorelei rock.
The description is again an excerpt from a poem, crudely translated as follows:
The Loreley waved from treacherous rock –
Power flooded down her veil
And contributes to the listening land into
The gold flowers enamel of their songs.
She has sung in my lonely hour
Of home and hope and love –
There are the words out of her mouth
Forever remain in our hearts.
From the epic “Defiance Cat” by Jörg Ritzel
It is number 136 in the series.
The Lakehead – Kakabeka Falls, Ontario Canada
This folio presents images of the area around Kakabeka Falls, Ontario, which is just west of Thunder Bay, Ontario and a bit north of the eastern tip of Minnesota as it runs along Lake Superior.
The folio is unused and undated, but the indications from the few cars and clothing styles shown point to the 1950’s.