This is a promotional postcard available from the restaurant chain known as the Chicken Shack. This is a common name for restaurants in the United States, but this one, subtitled Leslie’s Fried Chicken, was founded in Waco, Texas.
The description states:
THE CHICKEN SHACK
Specializing in Famous Leslie’s Fried Chicken
Since 1933
Famous for large, tender prices of chicken, fired to a crunchy, golden brown and served piping hot. Every one is welcome. Come as you are traveling and enjoy a meal of Leslie’s Fried Chicken in our large air-conditioned dining rooms, or take it with you, packed in a neat box.
–The Waco establishment was closed in 1996. The cars in the picture indicate it dates from the 1950s.
Tag: 1950s
Sunset Over a Texas Lake
This image has no identified location, but the publisher is from Texas, so it is believed this lake is in that state.
The description states simply:
DROWSY WATERS
–It is likely this card dates from the 1950s.
Cathedral of San Fernando, San Antonio, Texas
This cathedral, located in San Antonio, is the oldest cathedral in North America, and is an active site, acting as the seat of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
The description states:
SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL
San Antonio, Texas
Built in 1738. It was the old cathedral that Santa Anna made his headquarters during the siege of the Alamo. The church is in daily use.
–This building is part of the larger San Antonio Historic district in the middle of the city which also includes the Alamo. The car in the picture indicates this image dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Juan de Capistrano, San Antonio, Texas
This is the fourth of four missions featured these past several days. The Mission San Juan de Capistrano is often confused with the more famous mission of the same name located in Southern California, and which is famous for its swallow migrations. This was the smallest and least successful of the San Antonio missions.
The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN DE CAPISTRANO
San Antonio, Texas
Established on its present site in 1731. The architecture is completely different from the other missions.
–This mission was extensively renovated in 2012. The foundation was reconstructed to prevent further damage to the walls, and the buttresses that were added in the 20th century have been removed. The walls were also covered in white plaster.
The absence of the large, dark buttresses in this picture indicates it dates to the 1950s.
Mission San Francisco de la Espada, San Antonio, Texas
This modest structure is the main chapel of the Mission San Francisco de la Espada. This mission is noted for its aqueduct, which brings water from the San Antonio river to the mission grounds.
The description states:
MISSION SAN FRANCISCO DE LA ESPADA
San Antonio, Texas
Established in 1931, Espada has what is said to be the only intact mission fort. Nearby is an aqueduct constructed by the early missionaries and which is still in use today.
–This is one of four missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. They are all located along the San Antonio River south of the city. The Alamo is not part of this Park, but is owned by the state of Texas.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission Concepcion Main Facade, San Antonio, Texas
This image shows the main entrance to the Mission Concepcion chapel as it exists today. The dual towers are a notable feature of this building, as many such missions erected only one tower for a bell.
The description states:
MISSION CONCEPCION
San Antonio, Texas
It was here that the “Battle of Concepcion” was fought on October 29, 1835.
–The Battle of Concepcion was a short pitched battle between a few hundred Mexican soldiers and two small companies of Texian soldiers numbering fewer than 100. The Mexicans hoped to destroy the smaller force before the Texian forces could reunite, but were driven off with many more casualties than the Texians suffered.
–This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission Concepcion, San Antonio, Texas
This image shows a bit of the grounds and the main facade of the Mission Concepcion, one of several missions in and around San Antonio, Texas.
The description states simply:
SA #47 Mission Concepcion
San Antonio, Texas
-This mission was originally founded in East Texas to help in conversion of the local natives, but was moved to the San Antonio area. It is the best preserved of all the missions around San Antonio.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Cloister Arches, Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas
This image moves away from the monk’s immediate rooms into an area of the mission where there were two stories constructed, as shown here by the upper level rounded and gothic pointed arches in the upper level. The missing elements of the structure would likely have been wood of some sort, and likely rotted away and collapsed.
The description simply states:
MONK’S QUARTERS
SAN JOSE MISSION
San Antonio, Texas
–The card likely dates from the 1950s.
Cloister Arches, Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas
This image shows the brick and stone construction of arches and doorways that provided accommodations for the monks who lived at the mission. These portions of the building fell into disrepair after the mission was secularized and sold off to local landowners.
The description simply states:
MONK’S QUARTERS
SAN JOSE MISSION
San Antonio, Texas
–Secularization resulted in the abandonment and destruction of many mission structures throughout the United States. Others fell to neglect or abuse over the course of more than a century.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Rose Window, Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas
This image is a detailed closeup of the window itself, carved by Pedro Huizar. It is called the Rose Window, and the name is attributed to a woman Huizar had once known. This window opens on to the sacristy to provide illumination during services.
The description states:
THE ROSE WINDOW, MISSION SAN JOSE
San Antonio, Texas
According to legend, these stones were carved by Pedro Huizar in memory of his Spanish sweetheart Rosa — hence the name “Rosa’s Window” or Rose Window.
–This romantic legend is unlikely. The term rose window is common in Gothic architecture to describe a window in the south facade, such as this one, which provides light to the sacristy.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.