This image shows the reverse side of the Castro house, which faces the gardens. The balcony on this side appears to be a later addition, as it is not in the same construction style as the front, with support provided by vertical posts reaching to the porch below. There also appears to be an addition at the left, as the construction is also quite different from the main building.
The description states:
COURT YARD AT CASTRO HOUSE
San Juan Bautista
Erected in 1840-41 by General Jose Castro to house Secretary of Monterey District of Upper California House. Sold in 1848 to Patrick Breen of Donner Party.
–As indicated in the link, the Donner Party has it’s own unique place in California and Emigrant history. This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Tag: postcard
Castro House, San Juan Bautista, California
Shown here is the front of the Castro house, a typical adobe structure of the 19th Century Mission era. The long balcony is suspended primarily by roof beams from the first floor which extend out past the inner walls.
The description states:
CASTRO HOUSE
San Juan Bautista, California
This historical house, dating from times when California was a part of Mexico, is restored and open to the public.
–The postcard likely dates from the 1960s.
Mission San Juan Bautista Kitchen
This image is of the original kitchen built at the founding of the Mission. The metal tools were used to remove pots from the oven and the fires, as the metal pots would be dangerously hot when used for cooking and often had no handles.
The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797 – San Juan Bautista, California
The Mission kitchen is the original, containing ancient cooking utensils, fire irons and the original bake oven. The walls feature built-in cupboards. Once completely plastered, now brick and adobe construction is in evidence.
–The presence of a ZIP code on the card indicates it is likely from the 1960s.
Mission San Juan Bautista Sanctuary Side
Further illustrating the exceptional width of the main chapel at Mission San Juan Bautista, this image shows one side aisle with its own altarpiece in the right foreground, and another aisle altar in the left background, along with the main altar through the arch in the center. Most Mission sanctuaries are barely wide enough for one center walkway.
The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797, San Juan Bautista, California
Glimpse of a few of the historic art treasures in California’s largest old Mission church. Today 31 original paintings still adorn its walls and 7 wooden statues stand in its niches, all dating from about 1800. Above them, floating beams 40 feet long support the ceiling; in the tile floor beneath, wild animal tracks can still be seen.
–This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Mission San Juan Bautista Altar
This image shows the extraordinary width of the chapel at San Juan Bautista as well as the monumental altar structure and painted arches.
The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797, San Juan Bautista, California
This is the largest California Mission church, and by many considered the most beautiful. Original painting hear pictured was done by the first American who, in 1816, settled in California — Thomas W. Doak, a sailor from Boston. With the help of the indians and their paints he created this superb artistic effect.
–This postcard most likely dates from the 1970s.
Mission San Juan Bautista, California
This begins a two week showing of several more missions in the original chain founded in the 18th Century by Father Junipero Serra and others. This specific image is of the convento wing of the Mission San Juan Bautista (Baptist) quadrangle and the main church building in the distance. The rest of the quadrangle was demolished or destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, but there are hopes to restore it now the foundations have been determined.
The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797, San Juan Bautista, California
Other missions are restored, but what is here is original. This is the largest of all Mission churches, and the only one built with three aisles. Other buildings facing the old Spanish Plaza and contemporary with the mission are preserved separately as a State Historical Monument.
–This postcard most likely dates from the 1970s.
Jenson’s Motel, Providence Ford, Virginia
This establishment, unlike the previous one shown, is not a simple row of identical rooms, but actual individual buildings of various sizes for the anticipated larger or smaller traveling groups. These ranged from small cottages to small homes for rent on the grounds of the business.
The description states:
JENSON’S MOTEL AND DINING ROOM
Completely furnished 1-2 & 3 room cottages with private baths, also rooms in private home. Telephone Providence Forge 591 or write for reservations.
Mr. and Mrs. V. E. JENSON, Owners
On U.S. 60, Halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg at PROVIDENCE FORGE, VA.
–Featured on the card is a well appointed dining room managed by the motel owners, still a rarity in this era. Unfortunately, such establishments proved to be expensive to maintain and uncompetitive in the coming era of standardized rooms and services. The business no longer exists.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.
Payne’s Motor Court, Fredricksburg, Virginia
This is an image of a very typical motel from the early 1950s. Simple, continuous structures with doors which open onto a common parking area and the business office at the front near the road. This one appears to have very few additional amenities beyond the room itself.
The description on the back closely follows that printed on the front:
Payne’s Motor Court
Located on U.S. #1–2–17–Built in 1950
Modern with hot water heat.
In Virginia’s most historical city,
FREDRICKSBURG, VIRGINIA
Telephone 687-J
Owned and Operated by Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Payne
–They highlight the presence of heated cabins, as the earlier establishments of the 1940’s were often little more than actual cabins, relying on heavy blankets or wood fireplaces for heat, often without electricity in more remote areas. This establishment was the second wave of construction that provided a more modern and complete accommodation, but additional amenities, such as TV, pool or air conditioning, would come later.
The structure still exists in nearly original condition, but the business has changed hands over the years and is now closed.
The card clearly dates from the 1950s based on the description.
Passenger Coach, Williamsburg, Virginia
On display in this image is a ‘coach and four’ with both driver and footman present in their normal places. This elaborate transportation was obviously only for the wealthy, since maintaining the coach, the horses and the servants would be far beyond the reach of families of modest means. Such private coaches normally had seats only on the inside. More common public coaches, even partially enclosed ones, would usually have seats on the top as well.
There is no description on the back of this card other than that indicated in the caption above. This card is a hand-colored version of a black and white image, and likely dates from the 1950s.
Bruton Parish Church Sanctuary, Williamsburg, Virgina
This is the interior of the Bruton Parish Church which dates from the late 17th Century. Shown is the altar at the far end, the pulpit where the sermon was preached and other announcements made. On the side walls are boards where numbers would be hung to indicate which songs were to be sung from the standard hymnals provided in the pews, the benches for the congregation to sit on.
There is no description on the back of this card. However, by clicking on the image to enlarge, one can see that the original purchaser of the card has marked the seating locations of four famous men from the era. Most difficult to discern is the note for Patrick Henry, on the far right under the hymnal board.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.