This image is of a portion of the Ohio Turnpike, a toll road built between 1949 and 1955. It specifically features the Maumee River Bridge crossing, showing the separation of traffic.
The description states:
OTP-9 — THE MAUMEE RIVER BRIDGE ON OHIO’S 326,000,000 TURNPIKE
This mammoth bridge is 1,394 feet long. Twin bridges carry the roadways wherever the Turnpike crosses over other highways, rivers or railroads, to preserve the minimum separation between the east and west bound lanes.
–This postcard was used and is dated April 27, 1956. The black streaks on the sky are cancellation marks.
Tag: 1950s
Wickiup Motel, Holbrook, AZ
This is a typical specialty motel of the 1940s, with unusual construction designed to replicate the tipi style tent construction of the Native American tribes of the Great Plains. It is misnamed the wickiup likely because the owner did not understand the distinction between the two construction styles. However, the wickiup was used extensively in the southwest, though it was hemispherical in shape and not a truncated cone.
The motel was built in 1950 and has since been renamed the Wigwam Motel, a variant of the term wickiup, but still incorrect regarding the structures’ shape.
The white patches on the image are from where the card became wet and the emulsion was detached after being stuck to another card. This card clearly dates from the 1950s, shortly after the motel was constructed.
Ambassador Bridge, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
The Ambassador Bridge is unusual in that it is privately owned and controls the most important international crossing from Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan.
The description states:
THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Motor traffic on the largest international bridge in the world (approximately two miles long and five lanes wide), joining Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and spanning the busiest waterway in the world, the Detroit River.
–This near monopoly on traffic between Michigan and Ontario has led to significant legal battles between the bridge owner and various Michigan governmental agencies. Because of the intransigence of the owner, a new bridge is planned and will be in operation a short distance away, called the New International Trade Crossing.
This card has significant markings from the cancellation machine when it was originally mailed. It even appears that the card was run through the machine backwards before being cancelled correctly. While the postmark is for May 21, 1961, the age of the cars shown indicates this photo is from the 1950s.
Admin Building, U of Western Ontario, London, Canada
This image is of the Romanesque revival University of Western Ontario Administration Building. The campus is located in London, Ontario, Canada.
The description states:
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA
— This is probably a colorized version of a black and white original. The marks in the upper left are from the cancellation machine. This card was used, and postmarked July 30, 1952.
Highway Switchbacks, Zion National Park
This image of Zion Canyon shows the steep ascent vehicles must take to exit the valley floor. The switchbacks on the road at center left allow slow progression up the steep slopes without creating too much challenge for larger vehicles.
The description states:
SWITCHBACKS ON
ZION-MT. CARMEL HIGHWAY
ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
Starting from the floor of Zion Canyon and zig-zagging up the talus slopes of Pine Canyon in a series of six switchbacks, the Zion-Mt. Carmel highway plunges into a 5,607-foot tunnel, from which galleries have been broken out at six selected intervals.
–This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Virgin River, Zion National Park, Utah
This view features a portion of the Virgin River as it flows along the canyon floor in Zion National Park.
The description states:
VIRGIN RIVER
ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
Carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River, which the early Indians called Mukuntuweap, Zion Canyon is an ears of vertical gorges, towering colorful walls and cliffs.
–The Virgin River is a tributary of the Colorado, which is also known for carving the world-famous Grand Canyon in Arizona. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Zion Park Drive, Zion National Park, Utah
This view shows some of the red rock formations along the canyon as the visitor drives the canyon road.
The description states:
ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
Located in Souther Utah and easily reached by rail, bus and private automobile over modern paved highways, Zion National Park with its sheer canyon walls, scenic drives, bridle paths, and easy trails offers unsurpassed sight-seeing and outdoor vacation pleasures.
–This card likely dates from the 1950s
Court of the Patriarchs, Zion National Park, Utah
The Court of the Patriarchs is featured in the center background of this image, which views it from the canyon floor.
The description states:
COURT OF THE PATRIARCHS,
ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
A trio of lofty peaks, the Three Patriarchs, tower above the meandering North Fork of the Virgin River (which the Indians called Mukuntuweap) deep in the heart of Zion Canyon.
–This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Great White Throne, Zion National Park, Utah
This is another image of the Great White Throne, more close up and from an aerial perspective to show the massive bulk of the tower and its base.
The description states:
GREAT WHITE THRONE
ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
The Great White Throne, the most famous point in Zion national Park, is the largest monolith in the world. The sheer stone walls of this spectacular mountain rise 2447 feet above the floor of the canyon.
–This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Virgin River, Zion National Park, Utah
This image shows Angel’s Landing again in the center background, but features the Virgin River which formed the canyon seen today.
The description states:
ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
Through a strangely-colored land of sand, shale and limestone in Southwestern Utah, the Virgin River has cut a deep, narrow, vertically walled canyon whose walls blaze with color.
–The image likely dates from the 1950s.