Category: Postcards From Another Millennium

This image is composed in the typical tourist fashion: by leaning out of the passenger side window during the drive across the bridge. An empty ore freighter is clearly visible about to pass under the bridge.

The description states:
THE MACKINAC BRIDGE
In Michigan — The Water Wonderland
A view on the Mackinac Bridge from car with window rolled down. This is typical of bridge view taken by motorists who are fortunate enough to have someone else at the driver’s seat. The every steady stream of freighters passing underneath add to the spectacular beauty to be seen from the bridge. Such an experience is one of ‘life’s little extras.”
–The transcription is correct. The errors are in the original. This card, as indicated by the visible cars, dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the Mackinac Bridge illuminated along the roadway and cabling in a night setting. The streaks of light below are an effect of the lights reflecting off the water of Lake Michigan during a long exposure.

The description states:
THE MACKINAC BRIDGE
State of Michigan
Gaily lighted during the hours of darkness. The roadway lights are a sparkling blue-green color, the bale lights a deep amber, the navigation lights on top of towers are red and flash constantly. Two green lights mark the midpoint of the center span, and two red lights near the towers of the center span mark the channel for the lake boat traffic. On evenings when the water is calm, beautiful reflections are the joy of camera enthusiasts. This multi-million dollar bridge, dedicated in June of 1958, spans the Straits of Mackinac, joining the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan.
–This card dates from the 1950s.

This image is taken closer to the roadway approach to the bridge, still from the Michigan shore, showing how much of the bridge is truss and how much is suspension.

The description is a collection of fact about the bridge:
MACKINAC BRIDGE
Longest Suspension Bridge, anchorage to anchorage, in the World — connecting Michigan’s two peninsulas — opened to traffic Nov. 1, 1957.
FACTS:
Total Length of Superstructure — 19,205 ft.
Total Length of Suspension Bridge — 8614 ft.
Length of Main Span — 3,800 ft.
Length of Bridge and Approaches — 26,444 ft.
Height of Towers above Water — 552 ft.
Depth of Tower Piers Below Water — 206 ft.
Clearance for Ships at Center — 148 ft.
Width of Roadway – 48 ft.
Main Cables — 2, Diameter — 24 1/2 in.
Estimated Weight of Superstructure — 76,300 tons
Cost — $96,4000.033.33
DESIGNER: DR. D. B STEINMAN
FATHER OF THE BRIDGE: FORMER SEN. P. M. BROWN
–This card dates from the 1950s.

This image shows a  view of the Mackinac Bridge from a beach nearby. The people in the photo are using the public telescopes that are mounted on stands and required a small payment for a short time of viewing. These devices were common throughout the country in this era, and some still remain in various popular sightseeing locations.

The description states:
33 — MACKINAC BIRDGE AS SEEN FROM
SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN
MACKINAW CITY, MICHIGAN
–This image dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the truss beam section of the Mackinaw Bridge, under construction with the main suspension towers in the background.

The description states:
MACINAC BRIDGE
(Pronounced Mackinaw)
Showing approaches and Center Span under construction. The Mackinac Bridge is a structure across the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Michigan’s two Peninsulas at Mackinaw City in the Lower and St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula. The Length overall will be more than five miles and will take about ten minutes to cross. The Towers are 752 feet high, 552 feet of which are above water. Clearance at the center will be 150 feet. Bridge will carry four lanes of traffic. Construction was started in May, 1954 and is scheduled to be open for traffic in November 1957. Engineered to withstand many times any possible weight, ice pressure or wind velocity, this masterpiece of overwater structurer was disjoined by Dr. D. B. Steinman.
–As indicated in the description, this card dates from the 1950s, during the construction.

This second image shows the same motel, the Grand Motel, a few years later, as indicated by the later model cars in the image.

The description states:
GRAND MOTEL
Overlooking St. Mary’s River & Canada
1100 East Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Phone MElrose 2-2141
“Enjoy Your Vacation — See Us First”
Located a few blocks from Famous “Soo” Locks. 23 completely modern, spacious units. Ceramic tile baths – tub & shower combinations. Completely carpeted – individually controlled Electric Heat. Accommodates from 2 to 7 guests. 7 of the 23 units are equipped for housekeeping.
Owners — Harold and Pat Finnerty
–The last two lines are of special note: ‘equipped for housekeeping’ meant that there was a place to cook and wash dishes, what is now more commonly termed a kitchenette. The original owners names printed on the card have been printed over and the new owners names added below. Otherwise, the description on this card and the previous one is identical.
This motel has closed in recent years. This card dates to the 1960s.

This is one of two postcards, the next tomorrow, which shows the Grand Motel at slightly different times. The first shows the hotel from two different perspectives at either side of the parking lot enclosed by the U-shaped motel.

The description states:
GRAND MOTEL
Overlooking St. Mary’s River & Canada
1100 East Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Phone MElrose 2-2141
“Enjoy Your Vacation — See Us First”
Located a few blocks from Famous “Soo” Locks. 23 completely Modern — spacious units. Ceramic Tile Baths — Tub & Shower combinations. Completely Carpeted — Individually controlled Electric Heat. Accommodates from 2 to 7 guests.
7 of the 23 Units are equipped for housekeeping.
Owner – FRED BYE — Manager – ELMA ARMSTRONG
— The vehicles in the image indicate this postcard dates to the 1950s.

This image is of a working farm that raises tulips, owned by the Veldheer family. The Veldheer tulip farm now produces over 5 million bulbs each year.

The description states:
TULIP FARMS
HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
Veldheer’s Tulip Gardens, four miles north on U.S. 31. The development of a tulip bulb into a flowering size Tulip takes several years of careful planting and cultivation. Visitors enjoy the many colorful varieties which bloom here in May.
–The postcard dates from the 1960s.

This image shows the authentic Dutch windmill now located in Holland Michigan, called De Zwann, or The Swan. It was built in 1761 and arrived in Holland, Michigan in 1964.

The description states:
“De Zwann” (The Swan) WINDMILL
HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
An original Dutch Windmill, with a 200 year history, operates with full sails in the wind, grinding whole wheat flour. At the left of the gallery can be seen the capstan (hand winch) which rotates the cap to direct the winds into the wind. Higher than a 12 story building, it stands on a 36 acre island surrounded by quaint gardens and authentic Dutch architecture.
–Since the windmill was installed in 1965, the card undoubtedly dates from near that time.

This image is of costumed performers posing amidst the tulip blossoms at the Nelis Tulip Farm.

The description states:
IT’S TULIP TIME IN HOLLAND EVERY YEAR IN MAY
Holland, Michigan
Here a few of Holland’s sweethearts add to the color at the Nelis Tulip Farm.
–The farm has expanded to become a modest theme park known as Nelis’ Dutch Village. The village was established in 1958. This image is dated 1951.