This folio illustrates a number of scenic areas in the region known as the Wisconsin Dells, the word derived from the French ‘dalles’, or narrows. The more formal name is the Dells of the Wisconsin River. There is also a nearby city that uses the same name. This folio design emphasizes the historical presence of the Native Americans in the area.
A tour boat is available to view the scenes displayed from the best vantage points.
The photos were printed with an offset process which has had some registration problems resulting in odd color banding, present in a few of the photos.
As is indicated on the folio front by the original purchaser, this collection is from the 1950s.
Category: Postcards From Another Millennium
Postcards from various decades of the 20th century.
Main Bar, Legs Inn, Cross Village, Michigan
The final view of the Legs Inn is a 90 degree rotation from the previous view, showing the main bar with the operator and his son tending. This image shows how extensive the woodwork is throughout the structure, including both structural details as well as functional and decorative ones, including the tables and benches for the guests.
The description states:
LEGS INN, CROSS VILLAGE, MICHIGAN 49723
Tel. (616) 526-5087
View of the main bar with intricate woodcraft created by Stanley Smolak (Chief Whitecloud of Chippewas) presently operated by brother John and sons Alex and George.
The postcard can be dated from the description as being from the early 1970s.
Main Lounge, Legs Inn, Cross Village, Michigan
This image shows the large open space called the main lounge, with operator John Smolak in the left rear and his son Alex on the right. Prominently displayed are more of the founder’s elaborate woodwork, both ornamental and functional.
The description states:
LEGS INN, CROSS VILLAGE, MICHIGAN 49723
Tel. (616) 526-5087
View of the main lounge showing ornate woodcraft created by the late Stanley Smolak (Chief Whitecloud of Chippewas) presently operated by brother John and sons Alex and George.
–This card is a 90 degree rotation of the card that featured John with his violin, as the wooden serpent and circular table on the left are present in both photos. This picture dates from the early 1970s.
West Lounge, Legs Inn, Cross Village, Michigan
We move into the more architectural views of the Legs Inn. The ornate woodwork was a hallmark of the founder’s efforts at decor for the entire facility. Note the Polish Imperial eagle proudly displayed over the hallway.
The description states:
LEGS INN, CROSS VILLAGE, MICHIGAN 49723
View of the west lounge with John & Alex Smolak, operators of famous Legs Inn, which was hand crafted by Stanley Smolak (Chief Whitecloud of Chippewas) over a period of 47 years.
–The description, stating that the sons of John Smolak (and nephews of Stanley, the founder) are now the operators, places this postcard in the 1970s, as they took over after their father’s death in 1972.
John Smolak, Legs Inn, Cross Village, Michigan
This image shows the brother of the founder, John Smolak, during his brief tenure as operator of the Legs Inn. He came to the US after being a symphony conductor in Poland, and took over the business from his brother Stanley in 1968. John died after only four years in this position, leaving the business to his sons.
The description states:
LEGS INN
CROSS VILLAGE, MICHIGAN 49721
John Smolak, former symphony orchestra leader in Poland, now operator of Legs Inn.
— The short tenure John Smolak had as the operator of the business allows this card and others in the series to be dated to the 1960s.
Stanley Smolak, Legs Inn, Cross Village, Michigan
This card starts a series featuring the unique Legs Inn in Cross Village, Michigan. It is called this because of the stove legs used to create the crenellations on the top of the building. This photo features the founder standing in front of an earlier photo of himself when he first built the inn.
The description states:
LEGS INN CROSS VILLAGE, MICHIGAN 49723
Stanley Smolak, originator of this famous landmark, also known as Chief Whitecloud of this Chippewa settlement.
–One can safely assume that the Native American title was self-assumed, as Stanley was born and raised in Poland. This postcard dates from the 1960s.
Kitch-iti-ki-pi Spring, Manistique, Michigan
A final view of visitors on the raft that floats over Kitch-iti-ki-pi as they gaze down through the transparent waters to the churning sand shapes forming constantly on the bottom. There is a submerged viewing port in the center of the raft all the visitors are gathered around which allows viewing without reflections. The raft itself is moved by a cable which the riders operate themselves.
The description states:
KITCH-ITI-KI-PI
The “Big Spring”
Manistique, Michigan
Known to the Indians as “The Mirror of Heaven”, the Big Spring is one of the seven wonders of Michigan. Located in the Palms-Book State Park near Manistique, there is no charge to see this magnificent phenomenon of Upper Michigan.
–This card was dates from the 1950s.
Kitch-iti-ki-pi Spring, Manistique, Michigan
This folio displays many of the interesting and unusual views from the natural spring now called Kitch-iti-ki-pi. As shown, visitors board a simple raft which floats on the waters of the spring while they look down into the depths. The spring is about 40 feet deep, but because of the fast flowing water, is completely clear to the bottom.
There is a connection from the spring to a nearby lake, and from there different types of trout frequently swim into the spring. However, there is little food because of the fast flowing mineralized water, so the spring is essentially barren and the fish rarely remain there.
The images were likely taken in black and white and manually colored. The folio most likely dates from the 1950s.
Kitch-iti-ki-pi Spring Old Boat Launch, Manistique, Michigan
We start a weekend of views of the unique fresh water spring near Manistique, Michigan called Kitch-iti-ki-pi. It is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
This view shows the old raft launch viewing area and the raft slowly moving away in the distance as the passengers view the bottom of the spring. The water flows so fast and clear that it is possible to see the bottom quite easily, and among other views are constantly shifting sands that form shapes for interpretation much like clouds.
The description states:
KITCH-ITI-KI-PI SPRING
Near Manistique, Michigan
In a land of intensely cold winters the crystal-clear waters of the “Big Spring” never freeze over. Legend has it that an Indian maiden, spurning the attentions of an unwanted suitor, fell into the spring and was changed by the magic properties of the water into a white deer.
–As can be seen by the mechanical postmarking in the sky area of the card, the postcard was used and is dated 19 July 1956.
1917 Stutz Bearcat
This is an image of the legendary Stutz Bearcat, a model built, with interruptions, from 1911 until 1934. This example appears to be from 1917, based on the step-over sides, the external gearing, and the right hand drive.
The name was considered so valuable and iconic that it was reused in other completely different designs and by other manufacturers several times over later decades. It became a car that other sporty roadsters were compared to even into the 1950s and 1960s.
This image is on a card used as a marketing promotion for the Gezon Motor Sales Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to remind customers to have their current cars serviced. This card was used, and is dated 3 January 1957.