Tag: Michigan

Shown here is a slightly less well developed path through the pines, with a greater number of newer growth trees visible along the way.

The Hartwick Pines State Park totals 9,672 acres, but only 49 of the original 85 acres of old growth forest remains. The park was established by Karen Hartwick with a donation of the land to the state in memory of her late husband, Major Edward Hartwick, who died in World War I.
This image likely dates from the 1930s.

This is a small section of a typical walking path through the Hartwick Pines State Park.

It is likely this path leads through the old growth forest section, with trees aged over 300 years. A large portion of the trees were destroyed in a storm on Veteran’s Day, 1940, but over 49 acres of old growth still stand.
This image likely dates from the 1930s.

This rustic chapel is made from the same pine wood as the trees that surround it. It is located in Hartwick Pines State Park.

This is still a popular location for weddings. The park was established in the 1920s, and this image likely dates from the 1930s.
Like the rest of this series, there is no description on the back of the card.

This image shows objects immediately to the right of the beds in the previous photo, as the two items on the left of the image here match the items on the right in the ‘bedroom’ picture.
This stump was carved open and hinged, then some additional materials were put on top to provide a display case for the shotguns. The antlers act as traps for the barrels while on the bottom there are pits carved for the gun butts.

The bottom of the stump has been carved like a refrigerator and hinged on one side to allow closable storage for ammunition, shown displayed both in boxes in front of the stump, but also individual cartridges on the shelves and the door trays.
This image dates from the 1940s.

This image shows two modest beds nicely handcrafted from natural wood shapes and a stump presumably usable as a nightstand.

In the center of the image is a window with a unique framing form, and there are some hunting implements on the wall to the right.
This card dates from the 1940s.

This image shows the extent of decoration and furnishing typical of the Shrine of the Pines. The table in the center is for gaming, and there are additional table/chair combinations lining the walls. Decorating the walls themselves are hunting trophies of various sorts.

Pretty much everything visible in the picture is crafted from local wood by the man who created the Shrine.
This card dates from the 1940s.

The furniture here in the dining area consists of a candelabra, table and six chairs, three of which are just visible on the far side of the table.

The table is made from a single 700 pound stump with over 600 inlays on the surface. Presumably the two more unusual chairs are meant for the head and foot of the table. In the background is an elaborately framed opening to another part of the cabin, possibly the kitchen.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.

This image begins the exhibition inside the cabin by showing off a large sideboard and two ladder-back chairs inside the Shrine of the Pines.

There is no description on the back of this card. Like others of this era, it is a photograph that has had postcard markings on the back to indicate where the message, address and stamp should be placed.
The sideboard has shelves above and drawers below the main surface. The odd shaped object above the right chair is a custom window frame surrounding a nonstandard window, primarily in the shape of a ship porthole.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.

This image gives an overview of the main building where most of the exhibits are displayed, showing its location on a nearby river.

There is no description on the back of this card.
The cabin was built by Overholzer and friends to house the growing collection of woodwork he had created. This indicates the image is from the 1940s.

This image begins a series of views of the tourist attraction called the Shrine of the Pines. This consists primarily of a main building with extensive woodwork decorations and furniture.

There are no descriptions on the back of these cards, just the ones in white on the front. The opening dates and hours have changed since this card was created.
The man pictured is believed to be the founder and creative force behind the entire project, Raymond W. Overholzer, who worked on this project from the 1920s until his death in 1952.
This card most likely dates from the 1940s.