This postcard is the first of a week of images featuring the Pioneer Village historic collection and site in Minden, Nebraska.
The description on the back states:
20,000 Historic items in 20 buildings. Covers 2 city blocks. On US 6 and US 34 at Minden Nebraska, 130 Miles West of Lincoln.
This postcard, most likely printed in the 1960s, is a little out of date regarding the collection. According to the website, there are now 28 buildings and 50,000 items.
Tag: 1960s
Olive Tree, Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Israel
This is an image of an ancient olive tree in the famous pilgrimage site the Garden of Gethsemane.
The caption states the photo was taken in Jordan, which controlled this area until the 1967 war and subsequent annexation by the state of Israel. The card was used, and has the simple description:
Olive tree in the garden of Gethsemane
The sender noted that the guides claimed these trees were three thousand years old, but recent investigation indicates these are more accurately dated to about one thousand years.
Since the postcard uses Jordanian stamps which were issued in the late 1950’s, it is likely this postcard dates from the early 1960s.
Norway Embroidered Postcard
This card is unique in design from the others in this collection. The image of a woman has embroidery on the skirt, sleeves, and bodice.
There is no true description on the back, just the words Gudbrandsdal and Norge. This indicates the clothing is representative of the style once worn in the town of Gudbrandsdal, Norway.
A search for this and other similar cards indicate this is from the 1960s.
Kris Dance, Bali
This is a performance by Balinese dancers of a traditional dance sequence.
The description is quite short:
Kris Dance, climax of the Barong Dance, Bali.
This postcard was used, but was not mailed from Bali. It was instead postmarked Manila, Philippines with Philippine stamps. It is dated August 26, 1968.
Lucerne, Switzerland Collage
This card shows four views of Lucene, at the top, two views of the city from an elevated vantage point.
The lower two views show the Kappellbrücke and the Löwendenkmal, previously featured. There is no further description on the card.
The postcard was used, but the date mark was placed on a stamp which was removed. The address indicates that the postcard likely dates from the late 1960s.
Monroe Avenue Nighttime, Grand Rapids, MI
This photo, taken from the identical spot as the one posted previously, shows the downtown intersection at night under the lights.
The description states:
GRAND RAPIDS AT NIGHT – A bustling, industrious Michigan city by day, Grand Rapids by night is exciting and inviting. A welcoming glow of hospitality is extended to all by the brightly lighted streets and store fronts. Top-flight entertainment, fine restaurants, clubs, theaters and music to suit all tastes is part of the city scene.
This photo was likely taken in the late 1960s.
Monroe Avenue Daytime, Grand Rapids, MI
The first of two images, taken from a street level vantage point at the intersection of Division and Fulton, looking across Monument Park in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
The description states:
MONROE AVENUE – By day or by night, Grand Rapids is a throbbing, exciting city. Fine hotels and motels, stores, specialty shops, service functions and entertainment make it a favorite center for conventions. Superior educational and recreational facilities make this an outstanding city in which to work and live.
The park is now filled with trees which obscure the building behind, but the Herpolsheimer’s was demolished and replaced with smaller buildings in the 1990’s. The cars in this photo indicate that it was taken in the late 1960s.
Calder’s La Grande Vitesse, Grand Rapids, MI
Once in the heart of the city, you’ll see this oversized outdoor sculpture which has become the symbol of the city. Like many such works, including the Eiffel Tower, it was not so well received originally.
The description states:
CALDER SCULPTURE, LA GRANDE VITESSE – Dedicated June 14, 1969 in Vandenberg Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan, this lovely sculpture, “The Grand Rapids”, is the first such civic venture financed jointly by federal and public funds. Sculpted by the famous Alexander Calder, the La Grande Vitesse was built in France. Immediately behind the impressive creation is the City-County Building.
— As the description indicates, this card dates to no earlier than 1969, and was probably made shorty after the dedication.
Grand River Bridge, Grand Rapids, MI
Once off the plane and into land transport, one important sight in the midst of the city is the namesake river, with a bit of rapids showing at the bottom right of the photo. The Grand River has salmon runs, and a ladder was built for the salmon to ease their progress upstream.
The description states:
THE GRAND RIVER – Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded along the banks of the Grand River by early Dutch settlers, is now the leading city in West Michigan. The river provides many scenic and recreational areas for residents and visitors alike.
— This photo is part of a collection that appears to date from the late 1960s.
Kent County Airport, near Grand Rapids, MI
Having seen the city from the air, the place to descend back to earth is the Kent County Airport.
Known now as the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, after the man who represented this area in the US Congress and became president after the resignation of Richard Nixon in 1974. The description states:
KENT COUNTY AIRPORT – Located just southwest of Grand Rapids, Michigan, this full-service airport serves the area with scheduled airline flights and supporting air service functions. The US Weather Bureau radar station at the airport watches over all of Western Michigan, with forecasts of weather conditions and flight information.
This card is part of a series that appears to date from the late 1960s.