This image shows a notable Native American of the 1930s eastern Cherokee Nation, by the name of Chief Standing Deer. His clothing is a mix of Cherokee design and manufacture, specifically the headdress, vest and pants, while the shirt and shoes appear to be more typical of American manufacture.
Since the man shown is a champion archer, it is likely the bow and arrows were constructed by him, using target points instead of the more well known arrow heads. Where he stands is a place where archery demonstrations and training took place for visitors to the reservation.
There is no description on the back, but the card is dated in the lower right corner to 1938.
Category: Postcards From Another Millennium
Postcards from various decades of the 20th century.
Cherokee Bead Worker, North Carolina
This is another photo of the woman shown in the lower left of the previous image. She still holds the bead making device she had in the previous picture, and sits on the same steps with much of the same pottery as shown before. It is easier to see the beaded headband she wears, presumably an example of her own work.
While the head band and shawl drape she wears appear to be of Native design and production, the dress and necklace is more typical of clothing worn widely throughout the United States during this time.
The legend on the front says: Cherokee Pottery and Bead Worker, Cherokee Indian Reservation, N.C.
This card also has no description on the back. Unlike the others in this series, this one has a date printed on the front, so it can be definitely dated to 1937.
Cherokee Potters, North Carolina
This image is ostensibly of three Cherokee women potters, although the woman in the lower left is working on a bead board, making a beaded band while the others hold completed pots. Such bands would be applied to other objects or clothing.
This is one of the converted photos that have no description on the back, but it is consistent with other cards indicating that it dates from the 1930s.
Maude Welch, Cherokee Pottery Maker, North Carolina
This is an image of the noted Cherokee pottery maker Maude Welch, shown with an unidentified girl. This was undoubtedly taken on the North Carolina Cherokee reservation.
There is no caption on the back of this card, as it was a photograph converted to a postcard by stamping the back with simple markings to allow it to be mailed.
The legend on the front says: Maude Welch Making Cherokee Pottery, Cherokee, NC
This image likely dates from the 1930s.
Cherokee Woman with Infant at home, North Carolina
This image is a colorized version of a photograph, intended to look rustic and primitive. The language used on the card front is now considered pejorative, particularly the word squaw. The child, or papoose, was commonly carried on the mother’s back when unable to walk.
The description states:
Immediately south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Parrk will be found the Cherokee Reservation where the remnants of the eastern branch of the Cherokee Indians live. Although the government has instituted a comprehensive system of education and modern methods of living, ancient ceremonies and sports are still preserved as tribal customs. The Indians still play the Cherokee game of ball, one of the world’s most strenuous sports. Many are expert in archer and in the use of the blowgun.
–The Cherokee and other Native American nations were ordered out of much of their original lands and made to march to the west, all the way to the Oklahoma territory, on a journey now famous as the Trail of Tears. This led to a split in the Cherokee nation, now identified as the eastern and western branches.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.
Cherokee Mother and Child, North Carolina
This image is the first of the week featuring Cherokee Native Americans from North Carolina. This first shows a mother with a child bundled to her back.
There is no description on the back of this card. The card style and coloring are typical of cards made in the 1940s.
Sutton’s Wagon Wheel Motel, St. Ignace, Michigan
Much like the previous motel, this is also located in St. Ignace, Michigan, near the Mackinac Bridge. The original buildings were constructed in 1947, just after World War 2 to anticipate the new mobility and urge to travel of the era.
The description states:
SUTTON’S WAGON WHEEL
Motel – Restaurant – Cabins
On U.S. 2 – 4 Miles West of St. Ignace, Michigan
Overlooking Straits and Lake Michigan
Our Motto
“Recommended by Our Patrons”
Completely Modern Motel & Cabins. Wall to Wall Carpeting. Electric Heat – T.V. – Tubs & Showers in Motel-Showers in Cabins. Restaurant specializing in Chicken – Steaks – Chops and Fish Dinners.
Home Made Pies. Marie and Austin Sutton Owner-Operators
–This construction is unusual in that it includes both free standing cabins of the early phase of motel construction, and the more typical contiguous room construction that followed shortly thereafter. The buildings still stand, though the establishment has changed hands and changed names to Pointe La Barbe Inn. This photo was taken in the 1960s.
Sunset Motel, St. Ignace, Michigan
This motel was located close to the Mackinac Bridge, which was built in the late 1950s.
The description states:
SUNSET MOTEL
1 1/2 Miles West on US-2
from Mackinac Bridge
St. Ignace, Michigan
In Michigan’s Vacationland 1/2 mile from Golf Course. Showers & Tubs – TV – Hot Water Heat – Inn-Room Coffee – Separate Bedrooms. Restaurant next door.
Bud and Sheila Winters Phone (906) 643-8377
–Unlike many other establishments of this era, this motel still exists in its original location and with the same construction as shown in the picture. The most notable change from the image is the new sign at the road.
This card dates from the 1960s.
Sagamore Hotel Courts, Royal Oak, Michigan
This is another example of a more suburban motel, as the location of Royal Oak is a city on the border with Detroit, Michigan.
The description states:
SAGAMORE HOTEL COURTS
Michigan’s Finest
Royal Oak – Woodward at Coolidge
Pontiac – Woodward at South Blvd.
On U. S. 10 – North Suburban Detroit
Excellent Accommodations
Telephone in each room
50 Rooms and Tiled Baths
“Travel First Class – It Costs No More”
–Even though this is a more urban location, the amenities are still quite limited according to the description, but this would be typical of the earlier motel designs. Since it is called a Hotel and not a Motel, it is likely that it was constructed in the 1940s. A check of maps of this area indicates the motel has long been demolished.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Rip Van Motel, Sault Saint Marie, Michigan
This oddly named motel is on the northern tip of the Upper Peninsula very close to the locks which connect Lake Superior and Lake Huron. It would appear the name is derived from the fictional character Rip Van Winkle, who slept for many decades before waking.
The description states:
RIP – VAN MOTEL
Across the street from famous “Soo” Locks
351 West Portage Ave.
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Built in 1959 Phone: MElrose 2-2571
Singles to Suites – Family Units
Ceramic Tile Showers – Completely Carpeted – Spacious Lobby with T.V. – Excellent Restaurant in connection.
Frarnk Baccari – Owner-Manager
–This card shows some of the very typical mid-century accommodations and furniture widely used not only in motels but often in private homes. These pieces are now collector’s items in some cases.
The motel apparently has changed hands over the years, and there is a Lockview Motel in this location instead. The old buildings are gone and the new motel has new structures. The auto shown in the photo indicates this card dates from the 1960s.