Category: Postcards From Another Millennium

This view of the rocky cliffs shows the stratification typical of sandstone deposits. These cliffs are part of the Pictured Rock National Lakeshore, between Munising and Grand Marais, Michigan.

The description states:
This is a land of pictured rocks and beautiful waterfalls. The 200-foot-high colored, nature-carved Pictured Rocks are one of the scenic wonders of the world. An excellent view of the breath-taking grandeur of the Pictured Rocks are the Palisades.
–The vertical streaks of color on the cliff faces is caused by mineralized water leaching from the rock faces. This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This is another view of the waters edge at Black Rocks, a promontory of Presque Isle State Park north of Marquette, Michigan.

The description states:
No visit is complete without a drive around Presque Isle, Marquette’s beautiful park. The Huron Mountains and the evening sunset scene, the famous Black Rocks, Shiras Pool and the delightful picnic grounds, lure the visitor.
–Presque Isle is a common name around the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence seaway, indicating a large spit of land not fully detached from the nearby shore. This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows a rocky promontory called Black Rocks, a large outcropping of rocks on Presque Isle Park, on the Lake Superior shore of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The description states:
A herd of native deer rooms the primeval forests of this beautiful peninsula located north of Marquette, and the waves of Lake Superior, pounding against the picturesque crags and cliffs, extend on ever ready welcome to all the pleasure seekers who invade this region.
–These rocks are at times several meters above the lake surface, and many come to dive or jump from the cliffs into the deep lake.
This card is likely from the 1950s.

This colored illustration features the extreme end of Middle Island Point, a promontory of land near Marquette, Michigan.

The description states:
Attracting tourists from near and far the unusual and beautiful blue waters of Lake Superior, ever temperamental to cloud and wind; colorful rocks – red, lavender, green and black; virgin forests and abundant fishing, boating, swimming and camping facilities that make this region a sportsman’s paradise.
–The Point is now private property, so access is sometimes limited. The island in the background is Partridge Island. This card likely dates to the 1940s.

The focus now continues across the harbor and bay to feature the distant rocky bluffs. These dolomite deposits are part of the larger Niagara Escarpment, which extends across much of northeastern North America along the U.S. and Canadian border.

There is no description on the back of the card. The formation illustrated here extends to eastern New York, and is most notable for being the same formation that the world famous Niagara Falls flows over.
This card likely dates to the 1940s.

This image just along the road from the previous posting, approaching the water and small harbor where fishing boats were moored. The same rocky dolomite formation is again visible in the right background.

The description states:
FA.1 – Fayette Harbor, famed beauty spot on Michigan’s garden peninsula, locale of “The annual blessing of the Fleet”. The blessing ceremony is an ancient Catholic ritual for fishing vessels.
–There are a few small fishing boats pulled up on the far side of the harbor.
As noted in the comment below this image was ordered by  a vendor in late 1960, so the picture cannot be newer than that. As these have a production lifetime, it may be a year or more older than 1960.

We now move to the grounds of Fayette State Park and have a closer view of the old smelter complex buildings. The forest covered rocky point shows the large dolomite deposits, some of which appear to have been used in building construction.

The description on the back states:
FAYTETTE, MICHIGAN
Ghost Town of the old iron ore days. Parts of the fine old buildings still stand and make interesting camera studies. In the background may be seen the beautiful limestone bluffs. Located on the Garden Peninsula, this is also a commercial fishing community and each year in August is held the “Blessing of the Fleet.”
–The park has more than 20 restored buildings and there are tours daily throughout the warmer months. This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image is taken from almost the same location as the previous posting, showing the area of Fayette, Michigan, now Fayette State Park. Some of the buildings visible in the previous image have been demolished or are obscured by trees.

The description states:
FA-2 Fayette State Park, famed beauty spot of Michigan’s garden peninsula. Limestone cliffs and rocky shores, the ruins of the old smelters and the other buildings of the once-busy furnace town create unusual scenic and historical interest.
–The white object in the middle of the image appears to be an egret in flight.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

The image here shows the buildings and surroundings of the iron smelting complex that operated at Fayette, Michigan. The body of water in the foreground is Snail Shell Harbor, a protected cove on the northern side of Lake Michigan.

There is no description on the back of the card. The main smelter buildings are at the left. Beyond the town is Big Bay De Noc, which is connected to Lake Michigan.

This image begins a series of views highlighting the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, an area promoted as the Land of Hiawatha. This photo is of a diver and assistant preparing to dive the waters of Big Bay De Noc.

The description states:
340-V
A deep sea diver ready to hunt for the alleged hidden treasure in Big Bay De Noc at Fayette, Michigan.
 
–It is not clear what the diver has in his hand. The tank and suit are not typical of a deep sea diver, but more of the shallow diver that used SCUBA gear, which was a fairly new invention at the time of this image.
The postcard is dated 1958.