Another formation near the previously mentioned Wildcat Hills are Jail and Courthouse Rock, butte formations from the same eroded escarpment. They are located near the town of Bridgeport, Nebraska.
The description states:
JAIL AND COURTHOUSE ROCKS – were the first imposing landmarks seen by pioneers in their trek along the Oregon and Mormon trails. Located near Bridgeport, theses wind carved sentinels were named by travelers for their similarity to a jail and court-house they remembered near their eastern homes.
–It is more likely that the bulk of the erosion was by water over the course of millions of years. The attributions are just as likely to be the product of vivid imagination as having any particular structure as a reference.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Category: Postcards From Another Millennium
Postcards from various decades of the 20th century.
Nebraska’s Wildcat Hills
This image shows a portion of the escarpment named the Wildcat Hills, found in the western Nebraska panhandle between the North Platte River and Pumpkin Creek. They are part of a large area with such forested buttes and mesas, including Scotts Bluff.
The description states:
“Nebraska’s beautiful Wild-Cat Hills” near Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Deer, buffalo and other animals live here protected on the game reserve.
–The buffalo referred to are in fact American Bison, and not mentioned is the significant mountain lion population that populates this area of Nebraska and no other.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Pony Express Station, Gothenburg, Nebraska
This card features one of the many stops along the Pony Express, a means of transporting messages from St. Joseph, Missouri on the Missouri-Kansas border to Sacramento, California just before the American Civil War.
The description states:
Greetings from the ORIGINAL PONY EXPRESS STATION, City Park, Gothenburg, Nebraska.
Thousands of tourists traveling U. S. 30 make a very interesting stop in Gothenburg and visit the famous Original Pony Express Station, used from 1860 to 1861 and dedicated to all the Pioneer who passed this way to win and hold the West.
Free picnic area.
–The Pony Express has a reputation much larger than its impact on communications in the American west, as it was only in operation for 18 months. While the reduction in time cross-country to 10 days was significant, the concurrent construction of the trans-continental telegraph line, completed in October, 1861, made the service unviable immediately.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Nebraska Alfalfa Dehydration Plant
This is an agricultural facility that dehydrates alfalfa for use as an animal feed. This process was pioneered on an industrial scale by Charles Schnabel. There are similar facilities in considerable numbers throughout the grain growing regions of the United States.
The description states:
Nebraska produces nearly half of the total United States production of dehydrated alfalfa.
–California also produces a significant percentage of alfalfa grown in the United States. This postcard likely dates to the 1960s.
Nebraska Black Angus
This card shows a typical cowherd with a small group of Black Angus cattle, a breed popular for the quality of their meat.
The description states:
Registered Black Angus cattle on Stanek Farms, were raised on lush irrigated pastures on the Platte River
–This breed is the most popular one in the United States, with over 300,000 head actively raised. There is even a large, successful restaurant chain named specifically for this breed of cattle.
This postcard likely dates from the 1960s.
Nebraska Promotional Postcard
This card is not about a specific place in Nebraska, but instead features two of the characteristics considered notable for the state: the presence of Native Americans and bison.
There is no description on the back of the card. The Native Americans are from the Ogallala band of the Lakota, which is one of two larger groups which make up the Sioux tribe.
The bison shown in the lower half are one of their most common food sources. There were millions of bison roaming throughout the Great Plains of the United States until unchecked predation by immigrants and tourists nearly drove them to extinction.
This card was used and is dated 13 June 1956.
Boeing B-17 Propaganda Card
This card is an image of an early version of the Boeing B-17 heavy bomber, nicknamed the Flying Fortress. This is recognizable as an early model as there are no apparent weapon installations, and several typical features of the warplane are missing, such as the turret above and behind the cockpit, the turret at the back of the tail section, the side gun ports near the rear of the fuselage, and no turret in the chin below the bomber’s viewing window. Specifically, this appears to be the YB-17 variant, a developmental design built before the beginning of hostilities.
There is no description on the back of the card. The phrase “Keep ‘Em Flying” printed at the top of the card was a common exhortation used to encourage the American public to support the war effort with monetary and other contributions.
This card was sent by an airman who was assigned to an airfield in Tennessee after the war, and by law did not require a stamp for the serviceman to mail. However, the card was cancelled anyway, and has a date of 24 September 1948
Park Place Hotel, Traverse City, Michigan
This substantial structure is the Park Place Hotel, with an annex attached to the front. It is a still operating business with the same name, location and building, and is now a historical site in Michigan as well.
There is no description on the back of this card. The cars shown are typical of the 1940s, and the card was used, with a date of 24 April, 1945.
Tunnel between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario
This image shows an idealized view of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, shortly after construction was completed in 1930, and is the third major international crossing between Detroit and Windsor.
The description states:
The Detroit and Canada Tunnel, connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is the first vehicular subway ever built between two nations. It is approximately a mile long from portal to portal. The American portal is but a few hundred feet from the center of the financial and shopping districts of Detroit, which the Canadian end is located in the very heart of Windsor’s rapidly expanding business center.
–The cars shown indicate this image is from the 1920s. The postcard was used, and is dated 18 August 1932.
Detroit News and WWJ Building, Detroit, Michigan
This image shows the massive building that housed both the Detroit News newspaper company, but also the broadcast facilities of radio station WWJ. The building was constructed in 1917 and occupied until 2014. The company has since moved to another much smaller building it shares with a former competitor, the Detroit Free Press.
The description states:
The Home of the Detroit News, fronting for more than 300 feet on Lafayette Boulevard and Second Street. This is considered one of the most complete and ideal newspaper plants in the world. — Visitors are always welcome and extended every courtesy.
–The radio station began operating with the call letters WWJ in 1922, and the cars shown indicate this image dates from the 20’s as well. The card was used, and is dated 18 August 1932.