This image shows a much more sturdy looking and better maintained dock than the previous image. Also, this one is much more popular among the California Gull population. A quick review of the population shown indicates these are all adult males.
There is a net drying frame in the left rear of the picture, so this is likely also a fishing dock.
The caption states:
Sea Gulls Northport, Mich. 52
This picture likely dates from the 1930s.
Tag: Michigan
Fishing Dock, Northport Point, Michigan
This image is an interesting look into the mid-20th century way of living and fishing. This image is one that might have been familiar to the writer John Steinbeck as he composed his book Cannery Row.
The racks on the right are loaded with fishing nets left out to dry in the sun. They are built on pivots that allow the nets to be rolled on and off as required. The two children are both too young for school, and may in fact live in the building at the end of the dock. The container in front of them appears to be full of floats for the nets. It is not clear what the rails are used for, but it is possible it is for off-loading the catch and moving it more easily.
The caption states:
A Scene at the Fishing Docks – Northport Mich. -61-
This card likely dates from the 1930s.
Dryden’s Beach Gardens, Northport Point, Michigan
These lakefront gardens existed during the WW 2 era and likely before and after, but there is no indication that they survive today.
The caption states:
Drydens Beach Gardens Northport Point Mich. P6
Other cards showing this same scene are postmarked in the 1940s, but it is likely the images date from before that time, as such pictures were used continuously for many years.
This card was used, and is postmarked 1943, but like the others it is most likely that this image dates from the 1930s
Beach Scene, Northport Point, Michigan
This series of cards are from the earlier days of postcards, where photographs were printed on heavier stock and stamped on the back with a generic Post Card imprint, showing where to write the address and personal note.
The next few cards show a remote area of northern Michigan’s lower peninsula called Northport Point. The area is at the extreme north end of the Leelanau Peninsula so it is usually visited deliberately and not on the way somewhere else.
The caption states:
Sandy Beach & Drive at Northport Point – com b
The last few letters in the caption are probably sequence numbers for the postcard collection.
This postcard was used, and is postmarked June 1939.
Sutton’s Wagon Wheel Motel, St. Ignace, Michigan
Much like the previous motel, this is also located in St. Ignace, Michigan, near the Mackinac Bridge. The original buildings were constructed in 1947, just after World War 2 to anticipate the new mobility and urge to travel of the era.
The description states:
SUTTON’S WAGON WHEEL
Motel – Restaurant – Cabins
On U.S. 2 – 4 Miles West of St. Ignace, Michigan
Overlooking Straits and Lake Michigan
Our Motto
“Recommended by Our Patrons”
Completely Modern Motel & Cabins. Wall to Wall Carpeting. Electric Heat – T.V. – Tubs & Showers in Motel-Showers in Cabins. Restaurant specializing in Chicken – Steaks – Chops and Fish Dinners.
Home Made Pies. Marie and Austin Sutton Owner-Operators
–This construction is unusual in that it includes both free standing cabins of the early phase of motel construction, and the more typical contiguous room construction that followed shortly thereafter. The buildings still stand, though the establishment has changed hands and changed names to Pointe La Barbe Inn. This photo was taken in the 1960s.
Sunset Motel, St. Ignace, Michigan
This motel was located close to the Mackinac Bridge, which was built in the late 1950s.
The description states:
SUNSET MOTEL
1 1/2 Miles West on US-2
from Mackinac Bridge
St. Ignace, Michigan
In Michigan’s Vacationland 1/2 mile from Golf Course. Showers & Tubs – TV – Hot Water Heat – Inn-Room Coffee – Separate Bedrooms. Restaurant next door.
Bud and Sheila Winters Phone (906) 643-8377
–Unlike many other establishments of this era, this motel still exists in its original location and with the same construction as shown in the picture. The most notable change from the image is the new sign at the road.
This card dates from the 1960s.
Sagamore Hotel Courts, Royal Oak, Michigan
This is another example of a more suburban motel, as the location of Royal Oak is a city on the border with Detroit, Michigan.
The description states:
SAGAMORE HOTEL COURTS
Michigan’s Finest
Royal Oak – Woodward at Coolidge
Pontiac – Woodward at South Blvd.
On U. S. 10 – North Suburban Detroit
Excellent Accommodations
Telephone in each room
50 Rooms and Tiled Baths
“Travel First Class – It Costs No More”
–Even though this is a more urban location, the amenities are still quite limited according to the description, but this would be typical of the earlier motel designs. Since it is called a Hotel and not a Motel, it is likely that it was constructed in the 1940s. A check of maps of this area indicates the motel has long been demolished.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Rip Van Motel, Sault Saint Marie, Michigan
This oddly named motel is on the northern tip of the Upper Peninsula very close to the locks which connect Lake Superior and Lake Huron. It would appear the name is derived from the fictional character Rip Van Winkle, who slept for many decades before waking.
The description states:
RIP – VAN MOTEL
Across the street from famous “Soo” Locks
351 West Portage Ave.
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Built in 1959 Phone: MElrose 2-2571
Singles to Suites – Family Units
Ceramic Tile Showers – Completely Carpeted – Spacious Lobby with T.V. – Excellent Restaurant in connection.
Frarnk Baccari – Owner-Manager
–This card shows some of the very typical mid-century accommodations and furniture widely used not only in motels but often in private homes. These pieces are now collector’s items in some cases.
The motel apparently has changed hands over the years, and there is a Lockview Motel in this location instead. The old buildings are gone and the new motel has new structures. The auto shown in the photo indicates this card dates from the 1960s.
North Star Motel, Mackinaw City, Michigan
This motel was situated to overlook the Straits of Mackinac and near the Mackinac Bridge. It was located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The description states:
NORTH STAR MOTEL
Mackinaw City, Mich. 49701
Welcome to Mackinaw City’s Most Modern Motel. 33 Units – Coffee Shop – Sandy Beach – Playground. Located on Beautiful Lake Huron, with Nice Island view – 1 Mile from Mackinac Bridge on U. S. 23 and U. S. 27.
Phone Area 616 – HE 6-5565 P. O. Box 705
–The original establishment no longer exists, but the buildings apparently remain, under a new ownership, now called the Waterfront Inn, which has the same building layout with extensive modifications.
The cars and presence of zip codes on the card indicate this card is from the 1960s.
Munson Motor Inn, Traverse City, Michigan
This typical motel was built in Traverse City, Michigan but apparently no longer exists.
The description states:
MUNSON MOTOR INN
Traverse City, Michigan. On U.S. 31 North, in city. One of Michigan’s finest, close to restaurants and good beaches. Shopping centers nearby. Motel located on spacious grounds, away from highway noises. Air-Conditioned; Hot Water Heat; Direct Dial Phones; Large Televisions.
–Early motels did not have much in the way of amenities, and one of the most popular later additions was televisions. So important were these that they were advertised permanently on the road sign as shown in this picture. Later, color was also highlighted, and in the 1970s and beyond, cable services such as HBO also listed to attract the passing traveller.
Of special note is the automobile in the foreground of the photo, which is a rare and highly prized model today: a Jaguar XK E-type. The car indicates that this photo is from the 1960s.