This interior image of the palace shows the elaborate decorations of the supper room. Among the more notable details are the pedimented door and the crown molding.
The description states:
Supper Room, Governor’s Palace
Williamsburg, Virginia
The ballroom wing of the Palace, containing ballroom and supper room, was added about 1751 when extensive repairs were undertaken.
–The numerous, seemingly superfluous chairs lining the walls were likely called into service when there was a larger table installed. The card likely dates from the 1950s.
Tag: 1950s
Ballroom Gardens, Governor’s Palace, Williamsburg, Virginia
This picture follows on the previous image, showing much more detail of the ballroom gardens from an elevation, presumably a taller building in the vicinity.
The description states:
Ballroom Garden, Governor’s Palace
Williamsburg, Virginia
In 1724, the Reverend Hugh Jones wrote of the Govern’s Palace <a magnificent Structure, built at the public Expense, finished and beautified with Gates, fine Garrdens, Offices, Walks a fine Canal, Orchards &c> The Palace, its dependencies and gardens have been reconstructed to their original appearance.
–The gardens are of the more geometric tradition common in gardens throughout Europe at the time. The card likely dates to the 1950s.
Governor’s Palace Garden, Williamsburg, Virginia
This begins a two week visit to Virginia focussing on the historical sites of colonial Williamsburg. The first image is of the entrance to the Palace Garden
The description states:
Governor’s Palace Garden
Williamsburg, Virginia
A view of the formal ballroom garden and the ballroom wing, added in 1751, of the Goverrnor’s Palace.
–As indicated in the caption, the postcard was made in Switzerland and imported for sale as a souvenir at the Williamsburg site. The style of the card indicates a likely date of the 1950s.
Water Reservoir, Arcadian Copper Mine, Hancock, Michigan
This final image of the mine shows the face of the blocked tunnel where a water reservoir was located. The open pipes and valves present in the wall face indicate the water is no longer stored here.
The description states:
ARCADIAN COPPER MINE TOURS — End of tour at Water Reservoir. Original Arcadian Mine established 1864 in Ripley, Michigan, on M26 one mile from Hancock, Michigan. Believe it or not it is the only underground Copper Mine in the world open to the public.
–The term M26 refers to the Michigan state highway that was constructed near the mine. The mine long predates the highway. The card is dated 1955.
Stope Chute and Winze, Arcadian Copper Mine, Hancock, Michigan
This image of the Arcadian copper mine shows a miner in a chamber occupied by a miner. Such chambers are called stopes, and the chutes which allow movement of ore from one level to another are seen at the left. The winze is the vertical shaft at right which penetrates between levels of excavation.
The description reads:
ARCADIAN COPPER MINE TOURS — Stope Chute and Winze. Original Arcadian Mine established in 1864 in Ripley, Michigan, on M26 one mile from Hancock. Believe it or not it is the only underground Copper Mine in the world open to the public.
–There is some flare from lights at the far end of the tunnel that give the miner the appearance of light emerging from his eyes. This unlikely ability would have been quite useful in a professional miner. The card is dated 1955.
Mining Drill, Arcadia Mini, Hancock, Michigan
This next image of the Arcadia Copper Mine shows a miner holding a drill in position to bore a deep, narrow hole. Such holes were typically filled with some high explosive, such as dynamite or TNT, and large masses of rock would be freed for the miners to collect and transport to the surface. The drill is so heavy that the metal column next to it is attached to the drill to hold most of the weight while the drilling progresses.
The description states:
ARCADIAN COPPER MINE TOURS – Air Drilling Machine. Original Arcadian Mine established in 1864 in Ripley, Michigan, on M26 one mile from Hancock. Believe it or not it is the only underground Copper Mine in the world open to the public.
–The term ‘air drilling’ means that the drill operated by compressed air, which allowed it to operate in the closed atmosphere of the mine without creating toxic fumes. The card is dated 1955.
Arcadian Copper Mine, Hancock, Michigan
This image begins a series of cards showing the interior of what was the only copper mine open to the public, the Arcadian Copper Mine. This first image shows two miners in a chamber leading down a tunnel, lined with a rail for ore cars. The picture is blurry in the original, and it probably was not well lit when photographed. The resulting retouching and colorization has created the effect seen here.
The description states:
ARCADIAN COPPER MINE
Ripley, Hancock, Michigan.
Guided tours underground thru a real Copper Mine. Open June thru October 15th.
–The three rails on the ground are actually two rails, left and inner right, which carried the ore cars. The furthest right rail is in fact a pipe, likely used for ventilation. This card dates from the 1950s.
Great Lake shoreline highway, Michigan
While this card is not marked as such, it is likely it is also from the northern lower peninsula. The waves present on the water point to the shoreline of either Lake Michigan or Lake Huron, both of which are close by the Iron River area.
The description states:
G26 A SCENIC HIGHWAY
No vacation is complete without a drive over one of the many beautiful and scenic highways of this area.
Vacationland Scene
–The large flattened grey area near the distant car is a turnout, both to allow other, faster cars to pass safely and to allow travelers an opportunity to get out, take pictures, or even collect rock souvenirs. The cars present in the scene confirm the date on the card: 1954.
Lakeshore Road and Bridge, Iron River, Michigan
This more general image is of the relatively basic roadways common to rural areas in the mid-20th Century. The main roads would all be paved with asphalt, but such roads as shown here would be mostly dirt and crushed rock which made it possible to forego more expensive materials and construction.
The description states:
Greetings from Iron River, Michigan
G-150
The breath-taking beauty of a drive off the main highway is ample reward for a few hours time.
Vacationland Scene
–The background of the picture appears to show a significant structure among the trees, possibly a camping site or trailer parking.
Picnic area near lake, Indian River, Michigan
This photo follows along the previous post and shows some more of the basic amenities available in the 1950s for folks spending time near the lakes of Indian River, MI.
The description states:
Greetings from Indian River, Michigan
G-247
White Birches & Blue Water make the Northland superbly scenic.
Vacationland Scene
–This view of the lake near Indian River reinforces the Impression that it was a location where families would have second, summer homes which combined with some additional public access areas. This card is dated 1959.