This image is an artist’s rendition of the Motel Avalon as it looked in its heyday.
The description states:
MOTEL AVALON
50 MODERN UNITS
KITCHENETTES — GARAGES
Reasonable Rates
—A view of the site today shows that the buildings still exist, and were added to over the years, but the site is now fenced off and unused.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
Tag: postcard
Docked Fishing Boats, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California
This image shows some of the commercial fishing boats at rest in the marina near the famous Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, California.
The description states:
1616–FISHING FLEET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
San Francisco has a large commercial fishing fleet which makes Fisherman’s Wharf its home harbor. Here the bright painted boats and sun-browned fishermen are reminiscent of an Old World Port.
—This area around Fisherman’s Wharf has remained much the same over the decades, as evidenced by the continuing presence of both the restaurants visible in the background. This picture appears to be taken from the windows of the Castagnola’s Restaurant.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Golden Gate TravelLodge, San Francisco, California
This image shows the Golden Gate TraveLodge Motel in San Francisco, California as it looked at night.
The description states:
GOLDEN GATE TRAVELODGE
2230 Lombard Street, San Francisco 23, California
Walnut 1-0664
28 units — on Highway 101
11/2 miles from Golden Gate Bridge
10 minutes from downtown San Francisco
5 minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf
Restaurants — Complete Shopping Area — walking distance
Recommended by Duncan Hines
AAA Approved
—A view of the location today shows that the building is still there and in use as a motel, but the TraveLodge has moved to another location.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Interior of Pan Am 747
This image is an unusual view of the interior of the then-new Boeing 747, as configured by Pan Am.
The description states simply:
PAN AM’S NEW 747
The plane with all the room in the world.
—The first Pan Am 747 was christened by Pat Nixon, the President’s wife on January 15, 1970, and the new planes were flown to various locations around the country to promote them.
This postcard was used, and is dated 5 August 1970.
San Francisco International Airport Tower
This image shows the original tower of the main international airport for the San Francisco Bay Area, known by the assigned letters SFO.
The description states:
1665 — SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Situated on Bayshore Highway 14 miles south of San Francisco. One of the world’s newest and finest airports. Costing more than $15,000,000 it is equipped with all latest motivational and safety devices. Its many facilities include restaurant, coffee shop, newsstand, book shop, souvenier [sic] and gift shops.
–The two planes in the image are both propeller driven aircraft common in that era. The one on the left is most likely a Lockheed Constellation, based on its unusual three part tail design. The one in the foreground is possibly a Douglas DC-6, as this was a common aircraft for Pan Am in this era and location.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.
Aerial View of Los Angeles International Airport
This view shows an early version of the layout of the main international airport for Los Angeles, known by the assigned letters LAX.
The description states:
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Los Angeles, Calif.
Aerial view of Main Concourse. Destined to be the largest and most modern air terminal in the world.
–The look of the field is far different from the current appearance, as there have been several expansions and modifications. As this was before jetways, the planes do not park adjacent to any walking path. Instead, the passengers would walk out into the weather and up a rolling stairway. In addition, the planes visible are all propellor driven, indicating this image is from the 1950s.
C.W. Post Cereal Factories, Battle Creek, Michigan
This elevated image, taken from atop one of the Post Cereal factories, shows the extent of the Post Company presence in Battle Creek, Michigan at the time.
There is no description on the back of this card.
–The small sign on the building in the center of the image (click image to see larger version) states: It Makes Red Blood. In this time, processed cereal was touted as having many various health benefits, including improving blood quality and suppressing sexual appetite. It would be some time before boxed cereal would be considered primarily a children’s food.
This card was used and is dated 5 January 1912.
Library, Belding, Michigan
This image features the newly constructed Alvah N. Belding Library in the town of Belding, Michigan.
There is no description on the back of this card.
–As seen in the link above, the building still stands and is still in use as the city library. It was constructed in 1918 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
Given the pristine look of the grounds around the building, this image likely dates to the 1910s, shortly after the building was completed.
Methodist Church, Ithaca, Michigan
This image shows the Methodist Episcopal Church, as they were then called, located in Ithaca, Michigan.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The church is still active at the same location, now known as the Ithaca United Methodist Church, and the building still stands, expanded in size but retaining much of the original construction.
This postcard was used and is dated 7 August 1945.
Epworth Laboratory, Albion, Michigan
This image shows the recently built Epworth Physical Laboratory, on the campus of Albion College in Albion, Michigan.
There is no description on the back of this card.
This building was constructed in 1926 and still exists in almost original external appearance today, though it has found several different purposes over the past century. It is currently threatened with demolition.
This postcard was used and is dated 25 September 1923.