This postcard is simply an image of the classic camellia flower blossom known as a symbol of the southern United States.
The description states:
The Purple Dawn (Mathotiana Rubra) varies of the CAMELLIA JAPONICA is extremely beautiful and very popular in the Deep South.
–This image is noted as being from Alabama, since the photo is credited to the Bellingrath Gardens, located there. Along with other cards in this series, it is from the 1960s.
Tag: 1960s
Mississippi River Traffic
The image on this card shows typical commercial river traffic along a southern section of the Mississippi River. There is a tug pushing 12 loaded barges while a cargo ship passes by. Along the shore appears to be a car ferry in the process of loading and unloading vehicles.
The description states only “The Mighty Mississippi”
This card is part of a much larger series of cards that likely date from the 1960s.
John Smolak, Legs Inn, Cross Village, Michigan
This image shows the brother of the founder, John Smolak, during his brief tenure as operator of the Legs Inn. He came to the US after being a symphony conductor in Poland, and took over the business from his brother Stanley in 1968. John died after only four years in this position, leaving the business to his sons.
The description states:
LEGS INN
CROSS VILLAGE, MICHIGAN 49721
John Smolak, former symphony orchestra leader in Poland, now operator of Legs Inn.
— The short tenure John Smolak had as the operator of the business allows this card and others in the series to be dated to the 1960s.
Stanley Smolak, Legs Inn, Cross Village, Michigan
This card starts a series featuring the unique Legs Inn in Cross Village, Michigan. It is called this because of the stove legs used to create the crenellations on the top of the building. This photo features the founder standing in front of an earlier photo of himself when he first built the inn.
The description states:
LEGS INN CROSS VILLAGE, MICHIGAN 49723
Stanley Smolak, originator of this famous landmark, also known as Chief Whitecloud of this Chippewa settlement.
–One can safely assume that the Native American title was self-assumed, as Stanley was born and raised in Poland. This postcard dates from the 1960s.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This week’s folio is images of various civic and commercial structures in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Historically contentious because of competing claims between the French, English and colonists, this area was primarily a military base for much of its early years. A settlement grew in the fork of the river which became the city.
The indication on one of the photos that the Civic Auditorium is new points to this folio dating from the 1960s. That building, with its retractable roof, was demolished in 2012.
Country Motel, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
This card features the modest but well tended Country Motel, a typical accommodation for the era. Lake Geneva gained some fame for being the city where the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game was invented and the company, TSR, which operated out of there until 1997.
The description is a long one, typical of these marketing post cards:
COUNTRY MOTEL
R.R.2 — Box 117
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147
Phone Area Code 414 CIrcle 5-6115
On Highway 50, 3 Mi. West of Lake Geneva
11 Beautiful Units — Free Coffee — TV, FM Radio — Individual Heating and Air Conditioning — Heated Outdoor Pool. Moderate Rates — in heart of Lake region.
— The pool has a diving board, which have pretty universally disappeared from hotel and motel pools due to liability issues. It’s hard to see the board itself, but you can clearly see the rectangular reflection in the water at the far end of the pool.
The hotel no longer exists, but there appear to be others which have taken its place. The photo likely dates from the 1960s, based on the use of ZIP codes but the retention of the older phone numbering system.
The Lake Superior Route, Ontario, Canada
This folio features a number of views along the scenic Highway 17 in Canada, which follows the Canadian shoreline of Lake Superior for nearly the entire distance. It is one major section of the Trans-Canada Highway, which runs from coast to coast in Canada. The map included also shows the US highways present along the southern shore.
The folio has no additional description beyond the map and the legends on the photos. Unlike most other photo collections, this one shows two industrial scenes as well as the more typical natural settings.
The cars in a few of the pictures indicate these photos date from the 1960s.
Parthenon Replica, Nashville, Tennessee
This folio highlights the central feature of Centennial Park in Nashville, Tennessee. The Parthenon replica is a faithful reconstruction of the original on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Because it is complete, it is possible to see and appreciate some of the features of the original which no longer exist.
While the Parthenon replica is the showpiece of Centennial Park, the park contains many more features and sites, as indicated by a few of the pictures here.
The photos from this folio date from the 1960s.
Inner Patio, Bellingrath Home, Mobile Alabama
This image features a flower filled sunny patio within the walls of the Bellingrath home.
The description on the back states:
BELLINGRATH GARDENS, MOBILE, ALABAMA…Looking down on the patio from one of the iron lacework balconies of the Bellingrath home.
These images are part of a much larger collection, marked on the back “A Deep South Card”, and which date from the 1960’s.
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, Azalea Trail, Mobile, Alabama
This monument stands in Mobile along a garden pathway known as the Azalea Trail. The young ladies, dressed in an interpretation of antebellum dress, are members of a group of high school seniors selected every year as ambassadors for Mobile. The group is called the Azalea Trail Maids.
The description on the back states:
AZALEA TRAIL, MOBILE, ALABAMA…The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park is on of the most photographed spots along the Azalea Trail.
The card is part of a series that dates from the 1960s.