This image is an illustration of a small motel at the time they were still called tourist courts. The buildings are still individual structures instead of a single building with multiple rental rooms.
The description states:
BEST TOURIST COURT
(In the heart of Hot Springs, Ark.)
“America’s Finest Tourist Court”
Free Garage Shady Lawn
HILL WHEATLEY, Owner-Manager
Simmons Steel Furniture, Beauty Rest Mattress. Twin Beds, Tile Tub and Shower Baths, Ceiling Fans, Gas Range, Electrical Refrigerator. Tile Kitchen Cabinets. Cottages all Insulated. Maid Service – I furnish everything
Strictly modern. Furnace Heat. Hot and Cold Water.
Rates by Day, Week or Month
Look for sign on U. S. 70
Hot Springs, Ark. 638 Ouachita Ave. Phone 58.
–The detailed description points out a fact of the era. Many tourist cabins were little more than sheds with some upgrades and furniture, and developed reputations as being unsuitable as motel rooms. The owner here goes to great length to illustrate how many features of a normal home are included in these rentals.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.
Category: Postcards From Another Millennium
Postcards from various decades of the 20th century.
State Capitol Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This image shows the unique and dramatic architecture of the State Capitol Bank in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It’s mid-century modern design earned it the name Bank of the Future.
The description states:
SCC-150 STATE CAPITOL BANK
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
This beautiful and unusual modernistic styled bank, located at 3900 N. Lincoln Blvd., is called the “Bank of the Future”. It is equipped with a floating air lobby from the main floor to the lower floor, and a cashier to customer TV drive-in banking window.
–The building still stands and operates as a bank, but is now owned by Arvest Bank. The building was constructed in 1964, so this card likely dates from that time.
Surrey House Antiques, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This image shows a section of the Surrey House Antiques and Gift Shop, which is in the Hummel Holiday Village near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The description states:
SURREY HOUSE ANTIQUES AND GIFT SHOP
IN QUAINT HUMMEL HOLLIDAY VILLAGE
1 mile West of Turner Turnpike Gate on U. S. 66, Box 9732, Okla. City, Okla. Phone Victor 2-1939 – Visit the Annex, Calico Corner on the walk.
— A Friendly Place to Stop —
–Most of what can be seen here is likely for sale, including some of the furniture and light fixtures. It does not appear to still exist.
This card was used but the stamp was not cancelled and there is no date on the message. It likely dates from the 1950s.
Broiler Room, Glass House Restaurant, Vinita, Oklahoma
This image shows the vast dining area, and in the background, a cooking station and chef, which was known as the Broiler Room of the Glass House Restaurant.
The description states:
BROILER ROOM
This beautiful dining room in the Glass House offers the traveler the finest in eating accommodations and an unsurpassed view of the Will Rogers Turnpike as it passes underneath the Glass House. Adjoining the Broiler Room is a private dining room for private parties.
–The restaurant changed hands at least twice, most recently becoming home to a McDonald’s franchise. It was renovated in 2014.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Chief Martin Teehee, Glass House Restaurant, Vinita, Oklahoma
This image shows Chief Martin Teehee, Native American in traditional clothing, with the Glass House Restaurant on the Will Rogers Turnpike in the background.
The description states:
Martin Teehee, Cherokee Indian of Miami, Oklahoma, welcomes you to visit the famous ‘over the road’ Glass House Restaurant on the Will Rogers Turnpike, Vinita, Oklahoma. The Cherokee settled in the Eastern port of Oklahoma, having come from Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.
–The Cherokee migration alluded to above, known now as the Trail of Tears, was in fact a series of forced relocations of the Cherokee and other tribes from their homelands, beginning in 1830 by President Andrew Jackson.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Glass House Restaurant with Native American, Vinita, Oklahoma
This image shows a local Native American in traditional costume before the Glass House Restaurant, which crosses over the Will Rogers Turnpike at Vinita, Oklahoma.
The description states:
THE GLASS HOUSE
WILL ROGERS TURNPIKE
This unusual structure is a favorite stopping place for travelers on the Will Rogers Turnpike. Travelers will find an excellent restaurant with several dining rooms, a snack bar and a gift shop for their convenience.
–The Native American is not otherwise identified, but is very possibly Cherokee.
The cars in the lot indicate this card is likely from the 1960s.
Glass House Turnpike Restaurant, Oklahoma
This image shows the unique over-the-road restaurant known as the Glass House Restaurant from its walls made predominantly of glass to allow diners to look out over the turnpike.
The description states:
Famous over the road Glass House Restaurant on the Will Rogers Turnpike at Vinita, Oklahoma.
–This building is located at the Vinita service plaza, and still houses a restaurant, though it is a McDonalds franchise. The Conoco station is still operated, but now by Phillips 66.
This image likely dates from the 1950s, just after the building was opened in 1957.
Turner Falls, Oklahoma
This image shows the cascade known as Turner Falls in south-central Oklahoma.
The description states:
TURNER FALLS
A clear mountain stream tumbling down sheer rock cliff forms a miniature Niagara in southern Oklahoma.
–This is considered to be the tallest waterfall in Oklahoma, at 77 feet. It is located in Turner Falls Park, part of the Arbuckle Mountains.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Arbuckle Mountain Cross Section Sign, Oklahoma
This image is a sign showing the geologic formation in cross section, to allow visitors to better understand the reason for the unusual rock formations they see along Highway 77 in Oklahoma.
The description states:
Geological sign on summit of Arbuckle Mountains on U.S. 77.
–The mountains are situated in south-central Oklahoma. Because the formation sits atop an aquifer, and drains readily into it through the tilted limestone strata, it is home to over 1000 caves and springs.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Arbuckle Formation, Oklahoma
This image shows a section of exposed, eroded rock formations in unusual, tilted positions. This is a visible part of the Arbuckle formation, a set of rock layers that was tilted over the eons until they are almost vertical.
The description states:
UNUSUAL ROCK FORMATIONS
Along highway 77 in the Arbuckle Mountains between Pauls Valley and Ardmore are many interesting geologic rock formations that can be seen from the highway. Many college geology classes come to this area to study at the unusual formations. Turner Falls is located in the area.
–The Arbuckle Mountains are the oldest known formations in the United States between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. They contain considerable mineral resources, including oil and gas.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.