Tag Archives: 1960s

Interstate 80 Rest Stop, Nebraska

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This image shows the typical shelters and parking area common to rest stops along the Interstate Highway system. These are in fact custom, and not nationally standard, as each state has its own contracts to build the rest areas.

Published by Pospeshil Photographers, Inc., 1517 West Second Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51103


The description states:
Interstate 80 in Nebraska has many beautiful rest areas for the comfort and convenience of travelers.
–The shelter in the foreground has a bench were travelers have apparently deposited some of their belongings, and there is a fire pit on a stand just to the left of the brick wall. The cars in the image indicate this card is from the 1960s.

Nebraska Alfalfa Dehydration Plant

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This is an agricultural facility that dehydrates alfalfa for use as an animal feed. This process was pioneered on an industrial scale by Charles Schnabel. There are similar facilities in considerable numbers throughout the grain growing regions of the United States.

Published by Pospeshil Photographers, 1517 West Second Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51103


The description states:
Nebraska produces nearly half of the total United States production of dehydrated alfalfa.
–California also produces a significant percentage of alfalfa grown in the United States. This postcard likely dates to the 1960s.

Nebraska Black Angus

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This card shows a typical cowherd with a small group of Black Angus cattle, a breed popular for the quality of their meat.

Published by Pospeshil Photographers, 1517 West Second Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51103


The description states:
Registered Black Angus cattle on Stanek Farms, were raised on lush irrigated pastures on the Platte River
–This breed is the most popular one in the United States, with over 300,000 head actively raised. There is even a large, successful restaurant chain named specifically for this breed of cattle.
This postcard likely dates from the 1960s.

Pine Bluffs Rest Area, Interstate 80, Wyoming

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This image is unusual in that it shows not a scenic, historic or cultural location, but the typical rest stop of the Interstate highway system. These were built for long distance travelers to have a place to stop, walk their pets, use a toilet, or eat a picnic meal while on their journey.

C25227 – Color Photo by Ruth Shroyer


The description states:
Rest Area along Interstate 80 at Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.
–This location is more elaborate than most, including such amenities as semi-private, covered tables and a children’s playground with equipment, as well as lighting for evening activities.
The automobiles indicate this card dates from the 1960s.

Bucking Horse Lodge, Rawlins, Wyoming

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This motel is located across the state from the previous two, which are in the state capitol, located in the southwest corner of the state. Rawlins is in the south center of the state, about halfway across Wyoming to the west.

Photo by George McLean


The description states:
BUCKING HORSE LODGE
Rawlins, Wyo. – Phone 324-4371
West Edge of Rawlins on Highway 30 and Interstate 80
Fifty Units
Phones, T.V., Family Units and Kitchenetts Available
The Heart of Antelope and Deer Country, Hunting and Fishing Guides and Information.
–This closeup image of the lobby hides the overall size of the establishment, better seen in this postcard. From further back it is obvious that the hotel has a large area for the fifty units in the establishment.
The neon sign with the Bucking Horse image has what appears to be an undecipherable tangle of material obscuring the image. In fact, this is an animated sign, and the tangle of material are the different lighted tubes that would outline horse and rider as the horse bucked up and down in the night. Such animated signs were common in this era.
The cars parked along the side of the building indicate this card dates from the 1960s.

Nolff’s Yankee Boy Trading Post, South Boardman, Michigan

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This establishment was an early forerunner of gas stations that included a market along with the refueling services, a commonplace arrangement in the current day. It still exists at this location.

Pub. by Professional Photographic Center, 324 Munson Ave., Traverse City, Mich. 49684


The description states:
NOLFF’S YANKEE BOY TRADING POST
and TRUCK STOP
Open 7 a.m. till Midnight
Box 151, South Boardman, Michigan 49633
PH. 1-616-369-7111
Located 9 miles south of Kalkaska on U.S. 131, overlooking the Old Boardman Mill Pond…
Cabins, Restaurant, Grocery, Beer and Wine, Pure Gas, Bottle Gas, Sport Shop, Live Bait, Fishing and Hunting Licenses.
–This kind of multi-purpose establishment was common in more rural areas where tourists or passers-by would have an opportunity to purchase supplies for their ongoing journey or for their sporting activity in the region.
This postcard was used, and is dated 1968.

Grand Motel, Sault Saint Marie, Michigan

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This second image shows the same motel, the Grand Motel, a few years later, as indicated by the later model cars in the image.

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


The description states:
GRAND MOTEL
Overlooking St. Mary’s River & Canada
1100 East Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Phone MElrose 2-2141
“Enjoy Your Vacation — See Us First”
Located a few blocks from Famous “Soo” Locks. 23 completely modern, spacious units. Ceramic tile baths – tub & shower combinations. Completely carpeted – individually controlled Electric Heat. Accommodates from 2 to 7 guests. 7 of the 23 units are equipped for housekeeping.
Owners — Harold and Pat Finnerty
–The last two lines are of special note: ‘equipped for housekeeping’ meant that there was a place to cook and wash dishes, what is now more commonly termed a kitchenette. The original owners names printed on the card have been printed over and the new owners names added below. Otherwise, the description on this card and the previous one is identical.
This motel has closed in recent years. This card dates to the 1960s.

Veldheer’s Tulip Gardens, Holland Michigan

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This image is of a working farm that raises tulips, owned by the Veldheer family. The Veldheer tulip farm now produces over 5 million bulbs each year.

Photo by & Pub. for Penrod Studio, Berrien Center, Mich. 49102


The description states:
TULIP FARMS
HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
Veldheer’s Tulip Gardens, four miles north on U.S. 31. The development of a tulip bulb into a flowering size Tulip takes several years of careful planting and cultivation. Visitors enjoy the many colorful varieties which bloom here in May.
–The postcard dates from the 1960s.

De Zwann Windmill, Holland Michigan

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This image shows the authentic Dutch windmill now located in Holland Michigan, called De Zwann, or The Swan. It was built in 1761 and arrived in Holland, Michigan in 1964.

Photo by & Pub. for Penrod Studio, Berrien Center, Mich. 49102


The description states:
“De Zwann” (The Swan) WINDMILL
HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
An original Dutch Windmill, with a 200 year history, operates with full sails in the wind, grinding whole wheat flour. At the left of the gallery can be seen the capstan (hand winch) which rotates the cap to direct the winds into the wind. Higher than a 12 story building, it stands on a 36 acre island surrounded by quaint gardens and authentic Dutch architecture.
–Since the windmill was installed in 1965, the card undoubtedly dates from near that time.

Jungle Island, Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California

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This is a view of the entrance to the now-demolished Jungle Island section of Knott’s Berry Farm. It was clearly inspired by the similar child-friendly theme playground called Tom Sawyer’s Island located at the nearby Disneyland.

Knott’s Berry Farm, Ghost Town, Calif.


The description states:
JUNGLE ISLAND
Knott’s Berry Farm and Ghost Town
Buena Park, California
Entrance to Jungle Island, filled with Woodimals for children to climb upon and trails to discover.
Color Photo by Ellis Sawyer
–The area was dismantled in the 1990’s and incorporated into the private picnic grounds. This card was used and is dated 1 May 1966.