This image features some sense of scale as provided by the tourists in the foreground and the stairway leading past the solid sheet of stone called The Falls.
The description states:
THE “FALLS” — FROZEN NIAGARA IN MAMMOTH CAVE
Mammoth Cave National Park, Ky.
Fluted stalactites form massive draperies, simulating a pipe organ at the “Foot of the Falls”
–The description of the formation varies unexpectedly from the typical waterfall to the pipes of a large organ, to drapes, so it seems there is a lack of consensus about how best to identify this feature. It is clear the cave bottom is far below where the viewers are standing.
The styles of clothing indicate the image dates from the 1950s.
Tag: 1950s
Onyx Collonade, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
This image is a view inside the large cave complex, featuring an assortment of stalagmites and some smaller stalactites. Several have merged over the eons into continuous columns of stone.
The description states:
ONYX COLLONADE IN MAMMOTH CAVE
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Stalagmites, stalactites, and columns are among the varied and interesting features of Mammoth Cave.
–These images can often make it difficult to identify up and down, but the ‘melted ice cream’ effect on the central column clearly indicates the downward flow of the mineralized water. This card dates from the 1950s.
Mammoth Cave Souvenir Shop, Cave City, Kentucky
This card begins a series of images of Kentucky, beginning with several of the Mammoth Cave complex. It is part of the Mammoth Cave National Park, located in central Kentucky.
The description states:
MAMMOTH CAVE SOUVENIR SHOP
On Highway 70 At The National Park Boundary Line. The largest Souvenir Shop in Kentucky. Displays the largest and best collection of Cave Formations in the world. A full line of Curios and Gifts, featuring: Post Cards, Folders, Pennants, Pillows, Leather, Wood, China, Pottery, Indian Relics, Hand Carved Onyx, Natural Cave Formations, Cave and Indian Jewelry and Kentucky Baskets. Mail orders given special attention. When touring Kentucky, visit the Mammoth Cave Souvenir Shop, Mammoth Cave Road at Park Entrance.
Address: Mrs. L. A. Ferguson
Cave City, Kentucky
–The car shown in this image inidcates this card is from the 1950s.
Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands, San Francisco, CA
This image of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge is taken from a popular tourist viewing area on the north side of the narrows, an area called the Marin Headlands.
The description states:
216 – GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
The longest and highest single-span suspension bridge in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge measures 4,200 feet between the two towers and 8,940 feet overall and its towers rise 746 feet above high tide. Completed in 1937 at a cost of $35,000,000, it connects San Francisco with Marin County and the Redwood Empire.
–The bridge is no longer the longest in the world, having been surpassed decades ago by several bridges elsewhere in the United States and the world. This card was used and is dated 26 June 1955.
Bay Bridge at Sunset, San Francisco, CA
This image of the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, taken at sunset, gives an indication of the double-decked structure of the bridge. All the cars visible in the picture are headed in the same direction. Cars heading towards San Francisco are in the box truss section below the upper deck.
The description states:
SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE AT SUNSET
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is beautifully silhouetted, looking west from Yerba Buena island as the sun sets behind San Francisco, the city by the Golden Gate.
–The style of cars present on the bridge indicate this card dates to the 1950s.
Night in Chinatown, San Francisco, CA
This image is of the block of Stockton Street just before the intersection at Jackson Ave.
The description states:
A NIGHT IN EXOTIC CHINATOWN
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Here in the largest settlement of Chinese outside of the Orient, one may browse in fascinating shops, taste exotic foods and enjoy a truly unique atmosphere, ticked away in the heart of the bustling, modern city.
–The signs for the Tai Chong Co. and the Shanghai Low give an accurate location of the photo, though the Tai Choing is now closed. The cars indicate the photo is from the 1950s.
Grant Street, Chinatown, San Francisco, CA
This is another view of the Grant Street and California Ave. intersection in San Francisco’s Chinatown, featuring the unique light posts and the Cathay House building on the corner.
The description states:
UNION OIL COMPANY’S
Natural Color Scenes of the West
Chinatown, San Francisco, has the largest settlement of Chinese in the world outside of China. Grant Street with its ornamental lamp posts is the main thoroughfare.
–This card is unusual in this collection as it was printed and sold by the Union Oil Company from their refueling stations, rather than sold by stores and other vendors.
This card was used and is dated 12 March 1956.
Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
This is the monumental entrance to the famous Japanese Tea Garden located in Golden Gate Park.
The description states:
ENTRANCE TO THE JAPANESE TEAGARDEN
In famed Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. This tea garden is an actual duplication of an authentic Japanese garden. With its granite shrine and arched bridge it is truly an exciting part of San Francisco.
–The picture shows that the gate has suffered some neglect, as tiles are shifting from their place on the roof. This has been repaired along with extensive renovations throughout the garden in the intervening years. This care likely dates to the 1950s.
Ore Ship, Marquette, Michigan
This image shows a typical ore ship as it loads at an ore transfer terminal in the harbor at Marquette, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. This dock was used for loading iron ore mined in the area of Michigan known as the Iron Range.
There is no description on the back of this card. As indicated in the link above, this dock is still in use. This photo likely dates to the 1950s.
Miners River Falls, Pictured Rocks, Michigan
This waterfall is the most notable scenic view of the Miners River, which flows through the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to empty into Lake Superior.
There is no description on the back of the card. This card likely dates from the 1950s.