This image shows a view of the Pacific Coast Highway from a vantage point along the road. Since the coastline is on the left, this is a south-looking view.
The description states:
CALIFORNIA’S SCENIC STATE HIGHWAY NO. 1
This picturesque highway is safe to drive, though for over 66 miles there isn’t a straight or level stretch of road more than 100 yards long.
–This condition of the road as described above was a result of having built this section along the cliff edges that descend directly into the ocean. At times there are drops of several hundred feet from the road edge, which is only a few feet from the lane of traffic and often without guard rails.
This card was used and is dated 27 June 1955.
Tag: 1950s
Will Rogers Museum and Tomb, Claremore, Oklahoma
This card is an artist’s illustration of the Will Rogers memorial complex in Claremore, Oklahoma, where the man is buried and a museum is open to the public. The museum was built in 1938, three years after his death.
There is no description on the back of this card. The basic facility has not changed over the years, and even the landscaping is still very similar. This card was used and is dated 11 November 1954.
Turner Turnpike Gate, Route 66, Oklahoma
Just six miles from the Clock Inn Motel featured yesterday was the entrance to the Turner Turnpike, which connects the two largest cities in Oklahoma, those being Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
The description states:
MAIN ENTRANCE TO TURNER TURNPIKE
This 88-mile turnpike running directly between Oklahoma City and Tulsa was opened to traffic in 1957, and connects with the Will Rogers Turnpike at Tulsa which extends into Joplin, Missouri.
–Turnpikes are toll roads which use the charges from travelers to pay for maintenance and construction of the road. In Oklahoma, this road has been fully paid off, but revenue from the tolls are used to build additional turnpikes elsewhere in the state.
The card likely dates from the 1950s.
Clock Inn Motel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This image shows the main road sign, the driveway at the registration lobby, and a typical room for the Clock Inn Motel.
The description states:
Clock Inn Motel
On N.E. Expressway at North Eastern
6 Miles West of Turner Turnpike Gate — U.S. 66
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
33 Beautiful Units with tile baths, wall-to-wall carpets, vented heat, refrigerated air conditioning, foam rubber mattresses, radios and television. For reservations phone Victor 3-6232 or write P. O. Box 3064, Oklahoma City.
“As we travel through Life
let us Live by the Way”
–As seen by the lower part of the card image, heat was from a wall furnace, common in the 1950s, air conditioning was electric and cooled by compression. The TV below the air conditioner is very modest in size, more commonly seen on kitchen tables or spare rooms than in the main living area.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Lake View through Trees, Michigan
This image shows a moderate sized lake as seen through the upper branches of a pine tree along the shore.
The description states:
G-188
A gnarled pine frames the blue waters of a Northland lake.
Vacationland Scene
–This card does not clearly identify its location other than in Michigan, most likely on the upper peninsula, but possibly in the upper half of the lower peninsula. This card is dated 1958.
Fawn and Doe, Beulah, Michigan
This image is a an artwork depicting a whitetail doe with its fawn as they stand in a meadow.
There is no description on the back of this card. Beulah, Michigan is on the lower peninsula of Michigan, near the Lake Michigan shoreline, a short distance southwest of Traverse City.
This card was used and is dated 16 Aug 1956.
Whitetail Buck, Ontonagon, Michigan
This image shows a whitetail buck paying close attention to the photographer, while having his head turned to track an apparent scent.
The description states:
SENSING DANGER
Moving silently through the woods, pausing now and then for a cautious backward glance, this buck is keenly aware that something is amiss.
Vacationland Scene
–The image has the legend on the front “Greetings from Ontonagon, Mich. This city is in the extreme western part of the upper peninsula of Michigan, overlooking Lake Superior.
This card was dated 1952.
Whitetail Buck, Upper Peninsula, Michigan
This image shows a typical whitetail buck drinking from a lake in the wilds of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Such scenes are still common, as deer are carefully managed and hunting is restricted to permit holders at limited times of the year.
The description states:
“The Stag at eve had drunk his fill.”
Vacationland Scene
–This card is dated 1953.
Black Bear, Upper Peninsula, Michigan
This image of a wild black bear is much less easy to come by now, many decades later. Loss of habitat and hunting have reduced the numbers of black bears in the Upper Peninsula.
The description states:
G-169
Black Bears such as this one are often seen by vacationists; and while they seem harmless, it is best not to get too friendly.
Vacationland Scene
–In more recent years vacationers are cautioned to avoid any encounters with bears, and to discourage them from scavenging food from human campgrounds.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Indian Lake and Birch Trees, Michigan
This is an image of a few birch trees growing close to the shore of Indian Lake in the state park of the same name.
The description states:
Indian Lake State Park, Manistique, Michigan.
G83
BIRCHES ON THE BEACH
In this picture the White Birches and the White Caps blend to make an interesting nature study.
Vacationland Scene
–The park is on the Lake Michigan shore of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and area commonly referred to in this time as Michigan’s Vacationland.
The card is dated 1955.