This image shows a small ceremony for the dead as performed by Ojibway Indians in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The more common Westernized form of the tribal name is Chippewa.
The description states:
BURIAL HOUSE — FEAST OF THE DEAD
A memorial custom of the original Ojibway People, re-enacted annually by Chief White Wolf and family. Totem Village, 11 miles west of St. Ignace, Michigan.
— As noted here, Chief White Wolf was a woodcarver named Ralph McCarry of European descent who invited the local Ojibway people to contribute to the re-enactments. The Totem Village was established in the 1950s still exists as a museum after his untimely death at 56 in 1962.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Tag: 1950s
Cut River Bridge, Hendricks Township, Michigan
This image shows visitors viewing the span of the Cut River Bridge in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, using a viewing area constructed along with the bridge, as seen by the tunnel under the bridge abutment.
The description states:
No. 92 THE CUT RIVER BRIDGE
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
The Cut River Bridge on U. S. No. 2 was completed in 1946 and has since become a popular tourist attraction. The bridge has an overall length of 641 ft and a span of 551 ft. The Cut River is 147 feet below.
–Construction was begun in 1941, but was halted during World War 2 because of steel demands, so it took 5 years before being completed.
This card is dated 1951.
Fallasburg Covered Bridge, Lowell, Michigan
This image shows a historic covered bridge construction over the Flat River at the village of Fallasburg. The Fallasburg Bridge is now a part of the Fallasburg Historical District.
The description states:
COVERED BRIDGES NEAR LOWELL, MICHIGAN
This well preserved bridge is still in use near Fallasburg Park. The sign above the entrance reads, “$5.00 fine for riding or driving on this bridge faster than a walk” (not enforced).
–The bridge was originally constructed in 1871, and has had extensive maintenance about every 40 years, so it is still usable by automobile traffic today. It is one of three such covered bridges in Michigan still open to traffic.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Brockway Mountain Drive, Upper Peninsula, Michigan
This image shows a portion of a popular scenic rural highway in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan.
The description states:
645 BROCKWAY MOUNTAIN DRIVE
in the “Copper Country” of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
This drive is both beautiful and spectacular. Unfolded before your eyes are vast expanses of timberland dotted with jewel-like lakes. Each curve, each bend in the road is more beautiful than the last.
–While the car in the distance serves to give a sense of scale to the image, it is not clear why the photographer posed the woman standing on the stone railing.
This card is dated 1954.
Sand Dune Drive, Eagle Harbor, Michigan
This image shows a section of the road named Sand Dune Drive, for its route along the sandy shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The description states:
737 SAND DUNE DRIVE
In the Copper Country of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Sand Dune Drive follows the shore of Lake Superior between Eagle River and Eagle Harbor.
–These two locations are in the copper mining district of the Keweenaw peninsula (and Keweenaw County), the northernmost peninsula of Michigan, extending into Lake Superior above the rest of the Upper Peninsula.
The card is dated 1955.
Sister Rocks, Port Austin, Michigan
This is an image of a large rock formation off the coast of Michigan in Lake Huron. The formation is a single rock that has become separated into two large sections by erosion.
The description states:
183-S MICHIGAN THUMB SCENERY
Sister Rocks — off Broken Rocks, Port Austin, Michigan
–The Broken Rocks area of the lake refers to the off-shore formations of rock that have become separated from the shore and are now free-standing in the lake.
This postcard is dated 1957.
Abandoned Grind Stones, Grindstone City, Michigan
This image shows the unexpected fate of a large quantity of grind stones which had been manufactured nearby but found no owners. They are used for shoreline stabilization for which they are also eminently suitable, given their great size and hardness.
The description states:
2085 MICHIGAN THUMB SCENERY
Abandoned grindstones, once a thriving industry at Grindstone City, Michigan.
—Grindstone City is an unincorporated community at the eastern end of Port Austin Township, located at the northern tip of the ‘thumb’ of the Michigan peninsula. The shore shown here is part of Lake Huron.
This postcard is dated 1955.
Horseback Riding, Hart Michigan
This image shows a group of people, possibly a family, as they ride horses provided by the local stable owner. Such horse rentals were very common in mid-20th century United States, as it provided an experience which was fast disappearing for many urban families.
The description on the back of the card states simply:
CK-310 Greetings from Hart, Michigan
—Hart, Michigan is located in west central Michigan, and the county it is the seat of has a coastline of Lake Michigan. It is a small town in a rural county, and such entertainments as this were provided for summer tourists and visitors.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Bridge Street, Winnemucca, Nevada
This image shows a typical day on Bridge Street, looking towards the distant mountains near the town of Winnemucca, Nevada. Based on the location of the theater shown in the picture, this is a view of Bridge Street from about the same viewpoint as it looks ltoday.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The movie theater marquee on the right side of the street indicates that the current film is “Kill the Umpire” starring William Bendix. This film was released in mid-1950, which conclusively dates this photo to the early 1950s.
U. S. Highway 40 Along the Humboldt River, Nevada
This image shows a section of the old U. S. Highway 40 as it follows the route of the Humboldt River through central Nevada. This river drains much of the northern part of the state, but does not reach the ocean, ending in a lake at the western end.
The description states:
NEVADA
U.S. Highway 40 crossing Nevada presents ever-changing panoramas to the traveler. This view shows U. S. Highway 40 following along the banks of the lazy Humboldt River.
–The river is described as ‘lazy’ as its flow is very shallow and slow as it moves westward across Nevada.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.