This image shows the train at its final destination for the tour, the otherwise inaccessible Agawa Canyon. To this date the canyon is accessible only to hikers and the train. The exceptional length of the train is clearly visible from this image.
The description states:
View from the Lookout of beautiful Agawa Canyon, final destination of the Algoma Central Railway Wilderness Tour.
–What appear to be small lakes are the meanders of the Agawa River, which carved the valley after the last Ice Age. This postcard dates from the 1960s.
Tag: postcard
Montreal River Trestle, Algoma Central Railway, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
This image shows the rear of the train as it completes the transit of the Montreal River trestle during the Wilderness tours.
The description on the back of the card states:
The Algoma Central Railway Wilderness Tour crossing the Montreal River Trestle at Mileage 92, north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
–Clearly visible at the right below the trestle is the dam on the Montreal River and the associated hydroelectric station. This card dates from the 1960’s when the service began.
Algoma Central Passenger Cars Crossing the Montreal River Trestle, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
This is another view of an Algoma Central Railway train on the scenic Montreal River trestle, highlighting the passenger cars used in the trains tourist service.
The description states:
The Algoma Central Railway Wilderness Tour, out of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, takes the traveller through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America.
–The presence of at least eight passenger coaches for the scheduled train indicates a very popular attraction. In fact, the trains can be between 20 and 24 cars long.
The Wilderness tourist service was started in the 1960s, so this postcard likely dates from that time.
Montreal River Trestle, Algoma Central Railway, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
This image shows four engines pulling a tourist train across the high trestle over the Montreal River near Sault Sainte Marie, Canada.
The description states:
The Montreal River trestle, a breathtaking crossing at Mileage 92 north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. – Algoma Central Railway, Agawa Canyon Tour
–Such tours through forested areas are common even today, particularly during the Autumn when the trees change color. Also visible in the background is a dam and hydroelectric plant built on the Montreal River. The four engines in use indicate a very long train of passenger coaches.
This image likely dates from the 1960s, when the tourist service started.
Women’s and Men’s Dormitories, Western State Teacher’s College, Kalamazoo, Michigan
This dual image shows the two main residential buildings which housed students at the Teacher’s College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. By this time the name had been changed to a more explicit description of the school’s purpose. Two buildings were essential as it was not acceptable to have men and women living in the same buildings while students.
There is no description on the back of this card.
These buildings have been renovated and repurposed over the century, and the Women’s Dormitory, erected in 1938 is now an administration building, after a 1992 renovation. The Hall of Men appears to now be called Spindler Hall.
Since the school was renamed the Western State Teacher’s College in 1927 until 1941, this image likely dates from 1938 or 1939.
Western State Normal School Admin Building and Science Hall, Kalamazoo, Michigan
This card has images of both the main Administration building, top, and the Science Hall, bottom, which served to train teachers for the public school system in this area of Michigan.
There is no description on the back of this card.
Of particular interest is the object and sloping pathway to the right of the Administration building. This was a funicular railway, and the passenger car is shown at the bottom waiting to take passengers up the steep slope from the lower to the upper campus. The railway was built in 1907 and operated until 1949.
The Administration building was erected in 1905, and the Science Hall in 1915. They are also known as East and West Hall, on the original eastern campus.
This image likely dates from the 1920s.
Western State Normal School Gymnasium, Kalamazoo, Michigan
This image is of the college gymnasium building on the original campus of the Western State Normal School, now the campus of Western Michigan University.
There is no description on the back of the card.
These Normal Schools were established to provide training for public school teachers throughout the state. As time passed, they either closed, or in the case of Western, evolved into more comprehensive training and research institutions.
As this building was erected in 1925, and the institution was known as a Normal School only until 1927, it is certain this card dates from the mid-1920s.
Kalamazoo Public Library, Michigan
This illustration shows the front entrance and street corner display box of the original Kalamazoo Public Library, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The box appears to feature a patriotic display of United States images and publications, along with a small Uncle Sam doll.
There is no description on the back of the card.
This Romanesque building was erected in 1893 and served as the city library until 1957, when it was demolished and replaced with the current structure, along with four additional branch libraries.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
Kalamazoo Court House, Michigan
This image shows the second court house for the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The first, built in 1835, was much smaller and made of wood. This building was erected as a replacement in 1882, and was a three story brick structure. It in turn was replaced by a six-story building in 1937.
There is no description on the back of the card.
This building was erected to house the county courtroom and related offices for the county of Kalamazoo. This image likely dates from the 1930s.
Bear Exhibit, Milham Park Zoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan
This image is of a bear moving around inside the enclosure provided for bears at the Milham Park Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The stone structure is not at all representative of the habitat for such bears, but was likely easy to clean.
There is no description on the back.
This zoo no longer operates, having been closed in 1974, and no new institution was opened in its place in Kalamazoo.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.