This image shows a typical mid-20th Century fishing dock and processing shed. The causeway and pilings are simple wood construction, intended for light usage.
The L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, WI
This image shows the small car and passenger ferry known as the Voyageur, after the French name for the early explorers of this region.
The L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, WI
This image shows a family group standing atop the point of rocks known as Cave Point, on the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan.
Curteich Color 3-D Natural Color Reproduction
This image shows, according to the caption on the card itself, a Scenic Vacation Wonderland, believed to be in Wisconsin, as the card was published there.
E.C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee, Wis.
This image shows the tour boat dock with what is likely the ‘Josephine’ underway in the middle of the image. In the distance is a dam, and a building above a waterway, possibly the turbines used to generate electricity from the flowing water. This structure still stands.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The design of this card is unusual in that it is not simply a photo with a legend marked on it. In addition, a photo of Herb Droste, captain of the tour boat ‘Josephine’, has been superimposed on the image with his name, presumably to further market his tours.
The boat dock still exists, having been updated over the decades, and still services tour boats for the Dells.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
This image is a closeup of the tour boat “Josephine” and it’s owner/pilot, Captain Herb Droste. He promoted his boat and tour services extensively though postcards such as this.
There is no description on the back of this card.
Such cards as the ones shown in the past two weeks were originally photos, which were stamped on the back with postcard markings for stamps, addresses and messages. It was an inexpensive way to take advantage of the postcard craze common among tourists of this era.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
This image shows a few of the rock formations which have, through erosion, become islands in the Lower Dells. As wind and water continue to erode the formations extending into the water, the peninsulas ‘break off’ and become free standing.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The boat “Josephine” was certainly stopped and posed for this photo, as the captain is outside the pilot house and standing on the forecastle.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
This image of the tour boat Josephine shows a rock formation behind and above it called the Hawk’s Bill. This can refer to either the top most portion of the outcrop or the entire outcrop, depending on one’s imagination.
There is no description on the back of the card.
This image is intended to advertise the tour boat service as much as it does the sights visible from the water throughout the Dells.
This image likely dates from the 1940s.
This image shows both a rock formation and a well-known tourist boat of the era. The rock formation is called Lone Rock, as it is found at some great distance from other formations in and around the lake.
There is no description on the back of this card.
The boat shown is named Josephine (it can be viewed more easily by clicking on the image to get the full sized picture). It was one of a small fleet of such vessels available for tourists to cruise the Lower Dells.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.
This image shows the rock outcrop in the Lower Wisconsin Dells known as Pulpit Rock, with an adjacent formation called Baby Grand Piano.
There is no description on the back of the card.
The Pulpit Rock is so-called because it provides a convenient platform for people to stand on and overlook the lake. It is large enough to hold a half-dozen people at the same time. To the lower right, and leaning at an angle, is a darker formation which looks generally like a piano lying at an angle against one side, with the leg resting against Pulpit Rock.
This card likely dates from the 1940s.