Tag Archives: 1950s

John Ball Statue, Grand Rapids, Michigan

This image shows the life-sized statue of John Ball, located at the entrance to John Ball Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. John Ball was an early pioneer in Grand Rapids and donated the first 40 acres for the park to be established.

Genuine Natural Color Made by Dexter Press, Inc., West Nyack, N.Y.


The description states:
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
The John Ball Park is one of the favorite recreational areas within the city. A fine zoo, gardens and theater are some of the may interesting features that attract visitors of all ages. The bronze statue generates a special magnetism for all of the children, who cannot pass by without climbing up on the broad shoulders and pondering the lined face of the kindly figure of John Ball.
–The park was established in 1884 and acquired animals for exhibit shortly thereafter. Now known as John Ball Zoological Garden, it has been expanded and modernized extensively in the intervening century plus, and is now operated as a regional asset by Kent County.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Kent County Airport, Michigan

This image shows the main tower and one of the contemporary aircraft serving the Kent County, Michigan airport.

Mirro-Krome by H. S. Crocker Co., Inc.


The description states:
KENT COUNTY AIRPORT…Serving Grand Rapids and Western Michigan. First airport in the United States to pioneer the single runway landing strip. Michigan’s most complete airport.
–The airport has since been extensively upgraded with the increase in air travel and is now called the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The plane being serviced appears to be a Douglas DC-4 operated by the now-defunct National Airlines. It was acquired by Pan Am Airlines in 1980, which itself ceased operations in 1991.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Gibson Refrigerator Company, Greenville, Michigan

This image shows the Gibson Refrigerator Company plant and the Flat River as it flows through Greenville, Michigan. The company started life as the Belding-Hall Company in Belding, Michigan until its purchase by Frank Gibson.

The L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, WI


The description states simply:
Gibson Refrigerator Company
Greenville, Michigan
–The company was known for inventing the refrigerator light, the upright refrigerator, and for building Waco gliders during World War 2.
This image likely dates from the 1950s, before the company was acquired by Hupp in 1956.

Metropolitan Church, Detroit, Michigan

This image shows the net-gothic building housing the Metropolitan Church in Detroit, Michigan. It is operated by United Methodist Church.

mwm color-litho ‘buryheen’ by mwm co., Aurora, Mo.


The description on the back is comprised of a map showing the building location in Detroit, and hours of worship:
CHURCH SCHOOL – 10:00 A.M.
SUNDAY WORSHIP – 11:00 A.M.
–The building was erected in 1926.
The cars visible in the picture indicate the image dates from the 1950s. Oddly, the card was still in use and was mailed in the 1970s.

Cattle in Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico

This image shows a small herd of Hereford cattle being moved along a rural road through Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico.

Kodachrome Reproduction by Mike Roberts Studios Berkeley 2, Calif.


The description states:
K64 — PALISADES IN CIMARRON CANYON, NEW MEXICO
Between Raton and Taos we find some of the most beautiful views in this section of the Rockies.
–In 1979 the area was set aside as Cimarron Canyon State Park
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

Hereford Cattle Grazing, New Mexico

This image shows a small group of Hereford cattle, likely part of a larger herd, grazing on open range in the American Southwest.

Baxtone, Box 175, Amarillo, Texas


The description states simply:
HEREFORDS AT HOME ON THE RANGE
–The description alludes to a popular folk song titled “Home on the Range” which references cattle in the lyrics.
This card was used and is dated 12 July 1953. 

Cattle Herd, New Mexico

This image is an artist’s rendition of a typical Hereford cattle herd on the range in the southwest United States, likely New Mexico.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


The description states:
188 CATTLE ON THE RANGE IN THE SOUTHWEST
The western cattle ranges feed most of the U. S. There were no cattle in America when the Spaniards cam (only buffalo). The brought a breed of “Long Horn” cattle which had their origin in Portugal. By the time Texas was annexed to the U. S. the Southwest was over-run by “Long Horns”. Thousands were driven to northern markets. They are now replaced by better stock, great herds of which supply our finest beef steaks.
–This herd is the common white-faced Hereford common throughout cattle areas in the United States.
This card was used and is dated 11 July 1953.

Veterans Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska

This is an artist’s rendition of the Omaha, Nebraska Veterans Hospital as it looked shortly after construction.

“ShiniColor” by Colourpicture., Boston 15, Mass., U.S.A.


There is no description on the back of this card. The legend states simply:
Veterans Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska.
–The facility still exists and provides 100 acute care beds for Veterans as well as outpatient treatment facilities.
This card was used and is dated 13 June 1955.

Tower Lodge Motel, Holdrege, Nebraska

This image shows the Tower Lodge Motel, which had a rare combination motel design, with the older cabin style in the center and long single building rooms on either side. It was located in Holdrege, Nebraska.

Card by Al Achterberg, Nelson Studios, Holdredge, Nebr.


The description states:
TOWER LODGE MOTEL
U. S. 6-34 West – Holdrege, Nebr.
Phone 995-4488
40 Modern Units individually heated and air conditioned. room Phones and TV. Shaded Grounds. Play Area. Fine Restaurant nearby.
–This establishment appears to have been recently demolished, as there are a few listings for it but the site is an empty lot.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

Pony Express Station, Gothenburg, Nebraska

This image shows an original cabin of the Pony Express system, which was initiated in 1860 and operated for only 19 months before being discontinued when the transcontinental telegraph was completed.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Photo-Cote”


There is no description on the back of the card. The legend on the front states:
The Original Pony Express Station, and an Old “Fire Engine”, Gothenburg, Nebraska.
–The Pony Express became legendary, but was never a financial success, losing $200,000 during its time of operation.
This postcard was used and is dated 3 June 1955.