This image shows two children dressed in traditional Dutch clothing and props, standing in the midst of a tulip flower bed planted on the median of a city street in Holland, Michigan.
The description on the back states:
IT’S TULIP TIME IN HOLLAND EVERY YEAR IN MAY
Holland, Michigan
This scene on Tulip Boulevard is typical of the many delightful views that hold the visitor’s interest in Holland.
–The city of Holland was founded and is currently populated in large numbers by descendants of Dutch immigrants. They have made considerable efforts to recreate some of the original Dutch structures, activities and traditions of the Netherlands here in western Michigan.
This card is dated 1951.
Tag: 1950s
Steam Train, Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
This image shows the wood-fired narrow gauge steam locomotive that provided tourists an opportunity to travel around the park by train. The operation is called the Ghost Town and Calico Railway.
The description on the back is written in the form of a personal message:
THE GHOST TOWN AND CALICO RAILROAD
MEETING THE STAGE COACH
Ghost Town, Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park, California
As an extra treat during out memorable visit in Ghost Town we enjoyed a ride on this famous old narrow-gauge Train, formerly noted as the Denver Rio Grande. Talking about excitement – during the trip two hold-up men boarded the train and nearly scared the wits out of the passengers. We also rode in an authentic Stage Coach through the shady grounds surrounding Ghost Town.
–The locomotive has a passing resemblance to the famous 4-4-0 American type, but in this case the engine is a 2-8-0 Consolidation. The train service began in 1951, and the card likely dates from a short time after that.
Handsome Brady and Whiskey “Bill”, Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
The two male figures are concrete statues that serve as a bit of decoration and as a popular photography point, as indicated here with the three women cast members and a park photographer.
The description on the back of the card is written in the style of a personal message:
HANDSOME BRADY AND WHISKEY BILL
Knott’s Berry Ghost Town
Buena Park, California
These two old timers are the most photographed characters in Ghost Town, or in any town in the world for that matter. The sign on the wall reads: This Bench is reserved for Handsome Brady and Whiskey Bill & their friends, signed “The Gold Trail Hotel.” The three pretty Calico Saloon Girls are evidently company with a high priority.
— This video explains that the sign, and the postcard, are in error, as the second figure’s name was actually Whiskey Jim, but the park owner never made the effort to correct the sign. This card likely dates from the 1950s.
General Store, Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
This image shows a group of costumed performers posed in the Knott’s Berry Farm General Merchandise Store as it looked in an early incarnation.
The description is written in the style of a personal message:
GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE
Ghost Town, Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park, California
One of the places we enjoyed most was this authentic old store where we bought real hard rock candy, drank sarsaparilla and sat around the pot-bellied stove swopping stories with the general storekeeper and watching the old emitter’s checker game. Tonight we may go to the Wagon Camp to enjoy western entertainment and square dancing.
–There is another view of this building from a few days ago here. This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Castle Hahatonka Ruins, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Here is another view of Hahatonka, after the devastating fire that destroyed the entire house, leaving only the shell of the building standing in some places.
The description states:
HA HA TONKA (Laughing Waters)
CASTLE RUINS
overlooking The Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.
–More information is available at a previous post here. This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Palisades, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Directly south of the Bagnell Dam, across a small stretch of land where the Lake of the Ozarks curves back on itself, the rock formations above the lake are known as the Palisades, as though the rocks formed a fence along the river.
The desctription simply states: PALISADES In the Ozarks
Nearby are extensive developments of vacation and permanent homes along the lake. This photo likely dates from the 1950s.
Bagnell Dam, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
This image shows a closer view of the Bagnell Dam, featuring the power generation section in the foreground, and the spillways in the background. In addition, like many of these larger dams, it has a highway built across it to allow access to both sides of the lake.
The description states:
BAGNELL DAM, LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO.
This engineering masterpiece forming the beautiful Lake extending 150 miles with 1300 miles of shoreline.
–Additional views of this dam are available here. This card likely dates to the 1950s.
Bagnell Dam Aerial View, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
This image shows a high aerial view of the dam used to create the Lake of the Ozarks, Bagnell Dam. It is located on the Osage River. It is named after the neaby town of Bagnell, which in turn was named after the man who founded the town.
The description states:
AERIAL VIEW OF BAGNELL DAM AND THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS
Serving the useful purpose of supplying the midwest with both power and recreation.
–The dam was completed in 1931, its construction providing essential employment during the early days of the Great Depression. More views of this dam were posted here. This card likely dates to the 1950s.
Devil’s Sugar Bowl, Devil’s Elbow, Missouri
Not far from Fort Leonard Wood and Waynesville is the small community of Devil’s Elbow, Missouri. This rock formation overlooks the Big Piney River, which flows through the community, and a bend of which is called Devil’s Elbow.
The description states:
An interesting rock formation overlooking the Big Piney River at Devil’s Elbow, Mo. About 7 miles east on U. S. 66 from Waynesville, Mo.
–This card has been colorized to create a more dramatic appearance. The card likely dates from the 1950s.
Post Chapel, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
This is a typical multi-denominational structure provided for the soldiers and their families to worship. All faiths held their services in such buildings, at different days and times according to the tenets of the respective religion. Buildings of this design were constructed widely throughout the United States on military bases.
There is no description on the back of this card. The building is notable in that it has no iconography or other marks that would identify it as a church for a specific religion or denomination. This was done intentionally to allow many different faiths to use the structure without risk of inappropriate symbols being present.
This card likely dates to the 1950s.