This image shows a few of the typical businesses along the wharf: fish sellers, tackle shops supporting the charter fishing businesses, and restaurants selling various fish and shellfish dishes.
The description states simply:
Picturesque Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California
–Charter fishing was a popular attraction for visitors with a bit of time to spend, as the fishing in the area was quite good, and customers would often come home with a catch and lots of stories.
This postcard was used and is dated 26 July 1956.
Tag: postcard
Fisherman’s Wharf, Middle Section, Monterey, California
This image shows the left side of the wharf walkway, with the view reversed from the previous card, as Anastasia’s can now be seen on the right side of the road, but the candy store is not visible in the distance.
The description states:
FISHERMAN’S WHARF, MONTEREY CALIFORNIA
Colorful shops and seafood restaurants abound on the pier. While nearby, the picturesque fishing boats are to be seen riding at anchor.
–The large building in the center was once the Central Fish Co., a processing and wholesale fish seller, but the building was purchased by another owner and is shown as the Chowder House restaurant. Such changes of ownership and purpose are common and ongoing on the wharf.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.
Fisherman’s Wharf, Middle Section, Monterey, California
This image has proceeded down the wharf towards the small white entrance on the right, previously seen in the middle distance. On both sides of the walkway are open air fresh fish markets, as well as a local candy store.
The description states:
FISHERMAN’S WHARF
Monterey, California
is a tourist center with numerous good restaurants, gift shops and headquarters for charter fishing boats.
–The list on the building shows the range of fish available to the visitor for purchase, though likely not all at the same time.
This postcard was used and is dated 18 June 1979.
Fisherman’s Wharf Pedestrian Entrance, Monterey, California
This image follows on from the previous one, from a vantage point on the ground instead of elevated as before. The same Harbor House entrance is visible on the left, and the edge of the Tarantino’s sign on the right.
The description states:
FISHERMAN’S WHARF – MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Entrance to one of Monterey’s most popular and interesting attractions. A quiet and colorful cluster of fine seafood restaurants, fresh fish stalls, and numerous souvenir shops. Here bases the commercial and sport fishing fleet and playful sea lions cavort around the pilings.
–Clothing in this era is considerably more formal for the visitor, as there are men and boys in suits, women in fancy dresses, and only a few dressed in more casual styles. This image likely dates from the 1960s.
Fisherman’s Wharf Entrance, Monterey, California
This image shows an elevated view of the pedestrian entrance to the public wharf, known as Fisherman’s Wharf, In Monterey, Calfornia. The view extends almost to the end of the wharf.
The description states:
FISHERMAN’S WHARF
Monterey, California
This picturesque old wharf is a must for the Monterey Peninsula visitor. Here are many gift shops, markets, restaurants, fishing party boards, a wharf theatre and the Wharf Aquarium with pet seals and sea lions.
–The wharf was originally intended for both auto and pedestrian traffic, as indicated by the paved road down the middle of the wharf. Tourist activity increased to the point where autos became a liability and were prohibited during normal business hours, as indicated on the white sign on the right of the entrance.
Many of the buildings have changed ownership, but the Harbor House on the left is still operating as a gift shop, the theatre is still active, but the Aquarium has long been closed.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.
Greetings from Monterey, California
This postcard is an colorized versions of several important sites in the Monterey, California area.
The description states:
KEY TO VIEWS ON THE OTHER SIDE:
Upper left — Fishing Fleet
Upper right — First California Theater
Lower left — Royal Presidio Chapel
Lower right — Old Customs House
–The fishing fleet will be featured in postcards later in the week.
The First Theater was a site for melodrama performances of 19th Century plays and Olios, a musical performance after the play.
The Royal Presidio Chapel is also known as the Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo, and was the original site for Father Serra’s mission, but he moved the mission to Carmel, leaving this chapel for the soldiers of the Presidio of Monterey.
The Old Customs House is the historical center of Monterey, and houses a museum of mid-1800s Monterey during Mexican rule.
This postcard likely dates from the 1940s.
Wolf Road Tourist Camp, La Grange, Illinois
This is an image of a very early ‘motel’ concept, called tourist camps at the time, which provided transient lodging for travelers visiting the area. Often these were like small apartments, with kitchens and living areas along with the more typical bedroom. Given it’s age, it may not have had private toilets and showers.
There is no description on the back of the card. The large building in the right foreground is likely the management offices, while the cabins are shown in a row on the left and across the background. It is unlikely this establishment still exists.
This image likely dates from the 1920s.
Eastern Star and Masonic Home, Rockford, Illinois
The building shown in this image was a retirement and convalescent center for members of the Masonic order and certain family.
The description states:
Rockford…Founded in 1834…Now has third largest population in Illinois…Seat of Winnebago County…Served by four railroads, hub of bus routes, 140 airport four miles north of city.
–The postcard description does not provide any further information on the building or its purpose. Typically such establishments were for members of the organization that built it.
It is believed that this building was razed and replaced by new structures on the same site.
This card likes dates from the 1930s.
Masonic Temple, Rockford, Illinois
This building housed the Tebala Shrine Temple for the Masonic Order, including several related organizations.
The description states:
This building is known as the Tebala Shrine Temple which houses the local A. A. O. N. M. S., Star in the East Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Crusader Commandery, White Shrine and other Masonic Orders. The auditorium seats 1735 persons. This temple is used for many musical and theatrical productions and civic gatherings.
–The lengthy abbreviations refer to the full names of the respective Shrine organizations. This building appears to be no longer in use, as the Tebala Shrine website points to a much newer building to the east of downtown Rockford.
This postcard likely dates from the 1930s.
Grant House Kitchen, Galena, Illinois
This image shows the kitchen of the Grant home where he and the family lived between the end of the Civil War and his election to the Presidency in 1868.
The description states:
KITCHEN, GENERAL U. S. GRANT HOME
GALENA, ILLINOIS
This room is furnished with typical furnishings of the 1865 period. The stove, table and four chairs are original furniture used by the Grant family.
–Note that there is no running water, as evidenced by the presence of the porcelain pitcher and washbasin in the left background, and the absence of plumbing fixtures over the wood framed sink in the center background. The railing again is installed to control visitor movement in the museum.
This image likely dates to the 1960s.