This colorized image shows a palatial building used as a public hospital in Grand Rapids at the beginning of the 20th century.
There is no description on the back of this card. The U.B.A. is the Union Benevolent Association, previously the Ladies’ Union Benevolent Association, and this organization built the hospital in 1886. Visible on the porch is at least one nurse and likely some additional staff. By this time the building was also used as a nursing school.
In 1915 this building was replaced with a more purpose-built structure named Blodgett Memorial Hospital, on a nearby location in the city. It was in this new Blodgett Hospital Maternity Ward that my mother was born in 1932.
This postcard was used and is dated 2 January 1907.
Tag: used
Public Library, Knoxville, Iowa
This image shows the front entry to the apparently newly constructed Public Library building in Knoxville, Iowa.
There is no description on the back of the card.
This building was constructed in 1912 from funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, and still stands today in the same condition, but was expanded in 1988.
This image likely dates from the 1930s.
Hopi Indian Woman Riding Burro, Painted Desert, Arizona
This image is an artists rendition of the view one might expect to see of the so-called Painted Desert in Arizona. It is probable that the woman riding the burro was added to give a better sense of scale to the image.
The description states:
P.D. 27 HOPI INDIAN AND BURRO
AT PAINTED DESERT
The Hopi Indians, according to the traditions, are descendants of the Cliff Dwellers or the older tribes who have lived in this region for many centuries. Their lives have been adapted to the semi-arid and desert wastes… even their corn (Indian maize), squash and melons are acclimated and other grains do not thrive here. Within the Painted Desert proper no vegetation is found excepting a few scrubby varieties of sage and rabbit brush.
–The colors of this image are exaggerated from the true colors of the desert, though the effect is still obvious and impressive when viewed directly or through more faithful reproductions. The cliff dwellers mentioned above are now more commonly known as the Anasazi, though this term is not preferred by the Hopi.
Presidential Mountain Range, Vermont
This image is taken from a tourist stop in the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire. The Presidential Range is so called because several have been named for U.S. Presidents of the latter 19th and early 20th centuries.
The description states:
PRESIDENTIAL RANGE IN AUTUMN, FROM THE WHITEFIELD-JEFFERSON AREA OF THE WHITE MOUNTAIN REGION, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Snow on the highest peaks of the White Mountains provides magnificent beauty while fall lingers in the lower woodlands.
— The peaks are actually part of the Green Mountain Range in Vermont, though viewable from the White Mountain range and park near the border in New Hampshire
This postcard was used and is dated 2 September 1966
Brattleboro, Vermont View
This image shows the valley of the Connecticut River looking towards the town of Brattleboro, taken from Black Mountain Road.
There is no description on the back of the card.
Black Mountain Road extends from Brattleboro to the west, where it rises between the Connecticut River valley and the West River valley.
This card was used and is dated 18 August 1947.
Fish and Tackle Shops, Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California
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.
Chief Whitecalf and Family, Sioux Dancers, Ogallala, Nebraska
This image brings us back to the card presented two weeks ago which showed a cropped form of this same image, which is similar to yesterday’s photo, but there are slight posture differences indicating they were two separate photos.
The description states:
SIOUX INDIANS
Ogallala, Nebraska, “Land of the Sioux”
Sioux Chief Whitecalf and his troup of Indian dancers. These Sioux Indians return every summer to Ogallala, once the hunting ground of the Ogallala tribe. Visitors to Nebraska may see these Indians in native costume perform their ceremonial, “war, snake, buffalo, hoop,” and other dances.
–As there is a clear progression in age among the children, it appears that these are family members of Chief Whitecalf, and not merely members of the Ogallala band.
Dancing for tourists has fallen out of popularity with the rise of Indian self-determination in the 1970s, and such performances are now considered exploitative.
This card was used and is dated 13 June 1956.
Nebraska Promotional Postcard
This card is not about a specific place in Nebraska, but instead features two of the characteristics considered notable for the state: the presence of Native Americans and bison.
There is no description on the back of the card. The Native Americans are from the Ogallala band of the Lakota, which is one of two larger groups which make up the Sioux tribe.
The bison shown in the lower half are one of their most common food sources. There were millions of bison roaming throughout the Great Plains of the United States until unchecked predation by immigrants and tourists nearly drove them to extinction.
This card was used and is dated 13 June 1956.
Boeing B-17 Propaganda Card
This card is an image of an early version of the Boeing B-17 heavy bomber, nicknamed the Flying Fortress. This is recognizable as an early model as there are no apparent weapon installations, and several typical features of the warplane are missing, such as the turret above and behind the cockpit, the turret at the back of the tail section, the side gun ports near the rear of the fuselage, and no turret in the chin below the bomber’s viewing window. Specifically, this appears to be the YB-17 variant, a developmental design built before the beginning of hostilities.
There is no description on the back of the card. The phrase “Keep ‘Em Flying” printed at the top of the card was a common exhortation used to encourage the American public to support the war effort with monetary and other contributions.
This card was sent by an airman who was assigned to an airfield in Tennessee after the war, and by law did not require a stamp for the serviceman to mail. However, the card was cancelled anyway, and has a date of 24 September 1948
Park Place Hotel, Traverse City, Michigan
This substantial structure is the Park Place Hotel, with an annex attached to the front. It is a still operating business with the same name, location and building, and is now a historical site in Michigan as well.
There is no description on the back of this card. The cars shown are typical of the 1940s, and the card was used, with a date of 24 April, 1945.