This image shows the rare and beautiful blossom of the desert finger cactus, apparently more commonly known today as the Lady Finger Cactus, common in the desert areas northeastern Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley.
There is no description on the back of the card. The colors of the flower can vary somewhat but the shape and pattern of flower and colors is consistent.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Tag: 1950s
Donner Monument, Donner Lake, California
This image shows the large memorial erected to the Donner Party, a group of emigrants from Illinois who were trapped by snow and forced into cannibalism to survive.
The description states:
C875 – DONNER MONUMENT
DONNER LAKE, CALIFORNIA
Near the eastern end of Donner Lake, this monument marks the location where the Donner Party was snowbound during the winter of 1846-47. Of the 81 persons in the party, few survived that terrible winter.
–More recent research has determined that there were 87 people in the party, and 48 survived.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Donner Lake, California
This image shows Donner Lake from high above the lake level. The picture is likely taken from the popular photo spot known as McGlashan Point.
The description states:
DONNER LAKE
Located in California near the Nevada line, the serene beauty of Donner Lake makes it hard to realize that men once suffered here. The Donner party left Springfield, Illinois, in April, 1846, and were hemmed in at the lake by early snows. The sculptured figures of a man, woman, and child memorialize the Donner tragedy.
–The lake is not far from the much larger Lake Tahoe, on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Lake Tahoe and Cal-Neva, California
This image shows an elevated view of the north end of Lake Tahoe, and in the lower left corner the Cal-Neva Resort and Casino is just visible.
The description states simply:
LAKE TAHOE
and Cal-Neva, lower left, on the Nevada side of the Lake.
–The Cal-Neva has closed for renovation, as it was losing business due to competition from newly opened Indian Casinos.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California
This image shows the protected anchorage on Lake Tahoe called Emerald Bay. It is a popular stop for tour boats.
The description states:
EMERALD BAY – LAKE TAHOE
“Breathtakingly Blue” well describes this jewel of Lake Tahoe. In its pine-fringed setting. Emerald Bay on the southern shores of Lake Tahoe is a popular vacationland. The Nevada shores and mountains rise in the distance.
–Lake Tahoe lies at the bottom of a mountain-ringed basin, and the mountains behind the photographer in this view are the much taller Sierra Nevada range.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Highway 40, Yuba River, California
This image shows the route of the original two-lane highway through the Sierras, U.S. Highway 40, and its location along the Yuba River. There are three watercourses carrying the name, and this one appears to be the South Fork.
The description states:
HIGHWAY 40 runs through the canyon of the south Fork of the Yuba River, past a string of vacation caps, inns, and public camp grounds. The stream cascades down broken granite slopes; deep among the bording conifers are piles of grey-white granite, ground from the mountain flanks by ancient glaciers. Here and there are mountain meadows where deer are often seen.
–The word bording above is probably bordering. This highway was expanded and improved to a four-lane and renamed Interstate 80, following along almost the identical course. The Yuba River was a prime source of placer gold during the California Gold Rush.
This card likely dates to the 1950s.
Jackson Motel, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
This card shows an aerial view of the Jackson Motel, an establishment named for Andrew Jackson in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The description states:
JACKSON MOTEL AND RESTAURANT
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Intersection U. S. Hi-ways 41, 70-S & 231 in city limits. Accommodations for 200 guests. Swimming Pool, Air Conditioned, Electric Heat, Circulating Ice Water and Telephones. Beautyrest Mattresses. Nice Restaurant serving good food from 6:00 A. M. until 9:00 P. M. TV Lounge, Gift Shop, Shuffleboard, and large Convention Room. Phone TW3-5290. Fountain Service till 10:30 P.M.
“The Waldorf of Motels”
–There is still an establishment in Murfreesboro by the same name, but it is not the same buildings, so it is probably a new business with a similar name.
This postcard is unusual because of its extra long format with images rotated 90 degrees to fit on the postcard. Click on the image to see the card full size. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Rachel Robards Jackson, wife of General Andrew Jackson
This image is a late life portrait of General Andrew Jackson’s wife, Rachel Robards Jackson, who was born Rachel Donelson and married Captain Lewis Robards, only to divorce and marry Andrew Jackson.
The description states:
Portrait of Rachel Donelson Jackson
–by Earl
THE HERMITAGE
Home of General Andrew Jackson
Seventh President of the United States
Nashville, Tennessee
–She married Jackson at the age of 27 and lived with him 34 years, until her death of an apparent heart attack at the age of 61. This occurred shortly after Jackson’s first election to the Presidency, and he never recovered from the loss.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Andrew Jackson aboard Sam Patch, Hermitage, Tennessee
This image shows General Andrew Jackson riding his horse Sam Patch, named for a widely famous daredevil of the era.
The description states:
Portrait of Andrew Jackson on Sam Patch, white horse presented to him by the citizens of Pennsylvania in 1833. Portrait by Earl. THE HERMITAGE, home of General Andrew Jackson, Seventh President of the United States, Nashville, Tennessee.
–The real Sam Patch died in a 125 foot jump over the Genesee River in November of 1929.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Military Portrait of Andrew Jackson
This image shows the work of Ralph Eleaser Whiteside Earl, who painted this portrait of Jackson along with many others during a long association with the General.
The description states:
Military portrait of General Andrew Jackson done by the artist, Ralph E. W. Earl, who married one of Mrs. Jackson’s nieces and way, for 20 years, a member of the Hermitage household. Earl was known during the Jackson administration as “Portrait Painter to the King.” THE HERMITAGE, home of General Andrew Jackson, Seventh President of the United States, Nashville, Tennessee.
–After marrying Jackson’s niece, who died in childbirth only a year later, Earl moved into the Hermitage and remained with Jackson for the rest of his life.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.