South Haven

THE SOUTH HAVEN APARTMENTS

725 Bayshore Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

15 units on the Intercoastal Waterway. One hundred feet dock space, 3 blocks from ocean, elevator and maid service, shuffleboard court. Tel. Logan4-5256.

February 12, 1957

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

“We are thoroughly enjoying the lovely Florida sunshine and I for one will be sorry when our vacation ends. Weather has been ideal so far. Bill and I are about to start out and look for a golf course. See you in the near future.”

Emily and Bill

This building appears to have been replaced by a 12 story behemoth. The neighboring buildings are very much like this one.

The Waldorf Astoria

“The Unofficial Palace of New York”

January 15, 1937

New York, New York

“I hope you are all well. There has been rain every day and visibility is poor but have seen many interesting things. Saw Hudson River and Grant’s Tomb today. Pipe organ playing now in this hotel.”

A.J.R.

Mirror Lake

Magnificient view of St. Petersburg's skyline reflected from the quiet surface of Mirror Lake. One of Florida's most exotic scenes.

July 17, 1962
Saint Petersburg, Florida

Dear Al
"Arrived here Thursday July 12th. Had a nice trip the weather was fine we are 1 st from mirror lake on card. Drop a line let me know any news."
Jessie Joe

Big Room, Carlsbad Caverns

BIG ROOM
CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
NEW MEXICO
These formations are along the trail in the famous Big Room.

September 6, 1988
Whites City, New Mexico

Hello All-
"So far it has been a good vacation, but New Orleans had rain for 3 days & I got a minor head cold- Texas was dry & now I head for the Pacific-"
Robert

Valley of the Monuments

VALLEY OF THE MONUMENTS
Northern Arizona
"Unbelievable" is the word for this awe-inspiring land of nature's colorful and startling sculptures.

September 11, 1955
Whittier, California

"Well how are you all to day. I got back Sat after noon it took 8 hr to drive through monument valley boy they sure have bad road. I got my car clean up this morning and load up my tool will work on them tomorrow. Well guess we'll close"

Ma

Patricia Murphy's Candelight Restaurants

PATRICIA MURPHY'S CANDELIGHT RESTAURANTS
Since 1930
THE CASCADES, U.S. 1
Deerfield-Boca Raton, Florida
ALSO AT
Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
One Fifth Avenue, New York City
260 Madison Avenue, New York City
12 E. 49th Street, New York City
1703 Central Park Avenue, Westchester, N.Y.
OPEN EVERY DAY ALL YEAR

Hi Dears,
"Why can't we have a restaurant like this at home? We were so happy to see dear Art and Marge. They certainly rolled out the 'Red Carpet' for us all the way! They are just great. We arrived in Florida last Thursday and weather is 84-85 everyday. They are praying for rain. Water temp at pool is 84 too! Have good weather when we get home May 6!!!!"
Love to each of you,
Rene and Marge

Patricia Murphy is a restaurant success story from the Depression era. Here's an 1956 excerpt from the Charter, a Nova Scotia newspaper:

" A Newfoundland girl who left her home in Placentia during the Depression to seek her fortune in New York and with a few breaks from Lady Luck, together with boundless enthusiasm and energy, Patricia Murphy has found success.Patricia entered the restaurant business and later owned highly successful eating places in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Manhasset, L. I. and Yonkers."

She left for the great American metropolis with only a small allowance in her pocket and a self unpolished piano-playing talent. In New York she earned one meal a day by playing during luncheon at a small cafeteria. On the same street was a small tearoom where she often ate a "budget meal". One evening she found her favourite retreat closed. She pounded on the door and brought out the cook, who was packing up to leave. She heard the place was closing down because business was so poor, people were really hard hit for "eating out money", she recalled.

She offered the cook a job, made a deal with the landlord to pay $25.00 a week for the use of his equipment and space and then retired to her room with a thick American cookbook. At that time she knew nothing about the tastes of Americans, except they too seem to like hot bread and such mysterious things as "apple brown bells and prune whip". She decided on "popovers" as the hot bread because they could be made quickly and required inexpensive ingredients. Her business started to grow, slowly but surely, now her Yonkers restaurant on Central Ave. New York distributes 10,000 popovers a day, along with tiny loaves of hot bread, muffins, sweet rolls and biscuits. In 1938, Patricia moved into a second restaurant in Manhattan. She occupied herself with the two until she opened another, a suburban place in Manhasset in 1946."

Safety Harbor

SAFETY HARBOR SPA
Safety Harbor, Florida
Oldest Natural Mineral Spring Spa in America
Safety Harbor Spa combines the fun and relaxation of a gracious vacation with a sound, sensible health improving program under Professional supervision. Fifteen minutes from Tampa and St. Petersburg International Airports.

December 20, 1967
Safety Harbor, Florida

Dear Maurice,
"All's well here. Not a hard life to take. Many New York friends to golf with. Weather has been mostly good and warm. Hope all is normal with estates. Looks like we will stay here 'till Feb. then to Sarasota (Far Horizons) for a month."
Best from the Mrs. and Happy New Year.

Milton

From the Catskills

Nature at its best, Catskill Mts, N.Y.

August 17, 1956
Hunter, New York

Hi Dad,
Having fun here. Hope you can come up on a weekend. Today, we went to Haines Falls and saw Mommy's Grandfather's and Grandmother's grave. Did I get any mail? From whom? Please write.

Love, Eleanor

The Wagon Wheel

THE WAGON WHEEL

ROCKTON, ILLINOIS

Located at the intersection of Routes 2 and 75

Serving quality food that we believe you particularly desire. Only women are employed in the kitchen of THE WAGON WHEEL because women, through their innate sense of taste and daintiness excel in the fine arts of cookery. These enjoyable meals served in the quaint atmosphere of THE WAGON WHEEL will appeal to the most exacting appetite.

Un-mailed post card.

This caption cracks me up. As I recall, this place burned to the ground several years ago. I guess there were no men around to extinguish it.

Seaport Motor Inn, Mystic, Connecticut

SEAPORT MOTOR INN
Int. 95, Seaport Exit, Conn. Rte. 27, Mystic CT. On a hillside overlooking scenic Mystic River, Olde Mistick Village and Mystic Marinelete Aquarium. 1/4 mile from famous historic Mystic Seaport Museum. Open all year. Swimming Pool, A.C. Color T.V. Seafarer Restaurant and Captain's Lounge.

Card not mailed, but there is a note...

"This is where Amos was the other week, & then he was in Michigan & then he went to Boston & tomorrow he goes to N.Y. & then next week he goes to New England States again."

Earl-Carroll Theatre-Restaurant, Hollywood

The Earl Carroll Theatre-Restaurant in the heart of Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard near Vine, is a favorite Nite Spot in the Film Capital of the World. Seating arrangements are terraced so all guests may enjoy an unobstructed view of the lavish stage production with "Sixty of the Most Beautiful Girls in the World."

February 28, 1947

Burbank, California

Hello Kids.
"We are having a good time. Went up to Big Red Wood Forest Park to-day. 200 mi. up valley from here. We are starting home Mar. 4. We got lot of places to go yet. Hope everybody is O.K."

Mom & Dad

A very interesting history on this venue, from showgirls to Hair, to the Doors and finally, iCarly. Check out the wikipedia entry here.

The Deer Hunter

TABLES-TURNED on this deer hunter.

October 26, 1971
Gaines, Pennsylvania

Dear Greg,

"Hi. How are you? I know you missed me. So I'll be home soon. This man his deer tied him up and the deer is driving."

Love, Birdie.

Slipping on by on LSD, heading into town

A view of the south end of Lincoln Park with the newly constructed driveways, great bathing beach and recreation pier, and 440-foot beach house. This development, completed by the Chicago Park District in 1941, adds another to the many attractions of Chicago as a place for summer fun.

September 13, 1949
Chicago, Illinois

Hello Pauline & Art.
"We are having a good rest and a good time. Going out to the R.R. fair today."

Mom & Dad

The North Avenue Beach House was recently reconstructed in the same basic style, to appear like a cruise ship.

The Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas

The Frontier Hotel Las Vegas Strip
Known as the "Friendly Hotel" the Frontier offers great star entertainment ans services.

September 20th, 1979
Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Wilma,
"Russ & Annette have gone home. I'll fly back to Cleveland Oct 4th and Russ will take me home. The desert is so pretty. Going to a Mall today. Hope all are ok. More later." Marilyn

The hotel was torn down recently, but as far as I know, the sign still stands at the vacant lot.

Yosemite

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
"WAWONA" TUNNEL TREE
This famous tree is in the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, a pleasant drive of 36 miles from the hotels and camps in Yosemite Valley. The "Wawona" tree is 227 feet tall, and 90 feet in circumference. In this grove more than six hundred giant Sequoias have been growing here for centuries... the Earth's largest and oldest trees.

August 26, 1954
San Rafael, California

Hi Folks,
"Drove through this tree today. It's just beautiful up here. We're enjoying our vacation so far. How's our little bambino doing? Give her a big fat kiss for me." Joe, Marge + kids.

Six Flags Over Georgia

Atlanta, GA.
SIX FLAGS - "The Mind Bender" - only triple loop ride in the U.S. (2.5 million dollar roller coaster).

April 19, 1984
Atlanta, Georgia

"Enjoying a good vacation but it's too cool and rainy. Helen & Kenneth are up home this week. They are getting a new Pontiac at Thorpe's to-day..leaving their old one for Milton. I was up with Bubbles last week-end, and will do the same this week-end. Home on the 27th." Don

Heavy Stuff from Champaign

Ferdinand Leger (1881-1955) Yellow Flowers in a Blue Vase

October 27, 1965
Champaign, IL

John,
"Talking to you makes me feel so happy. Completely relaxing - and removes what Paul Young calls my "bitterness", i.e. the cynicism that comes out of disgust. But after talking to you, I live in an aura of happiness that lasts quite a while. Really, just thinking about you suffices if I'm not real tired. Took a nap last night after classes and woke up naturally think about you (which is a marvellous way to wake up) and the combination changes my whole perspective from one of confusion and disgust to optimism." LOTS OF LIKE - Claire.

Cavalier et Cheval
Peinture japonaise anonyme du XVII siecle

November 2, 1965
Urbana, Illinois

"YOU, SIR, DISTRACT WAY TOO MUCH OF MY ATTENTION. However - except for peculiar occasions you do not obsess me - just the quite frequent thought of you adds great delight to my day - BUT this evening, well really every two minutes is not conducive to productive study." (Signed with a heart)

I debated about posting these. Such personal notes really belong in a performed envelope, not on simple post cards, let alone on the Internet in a frivolous weblog. Everything about these cards amazes me. It's hard to believe that a college student would write in such reflective and analytical tones. In some ways, the messages to John almost seem suffocating. I wonder what happened.

The Shamrock

THE SHAMROCK - 414 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Ultra-modern, ocean front apartment hotel near Broadwalk and Bandshell. Offering luxurious comfort in an atmosphere of informal refinement. Apartments accommodate 2 to 8 persons. Daily, weekly, and monthly rates. PHONE 2-0252.

February 9, 1957
Daytona Beach, Florida

Hi,
"Enjoyed the drive down w/Ag, Eliz, and Wes B. We're staying here while Ag and Eliz continue a trip through the state. It's 80 degrees and the beach is lovely."
Best to all, Harriet.

A well cultivated farm

Greetings from Hunter, N.Y.
"I know few things more pleasing to the eye....than a well-situated, well-cultivated farm." -Edw. Everett

March 31, 1964
Hunter, New York

Dad. "We finally got the heat on OK!! We also have a saw. We will call the telephone co. today. Its cold as heck up here! The kids here have school now!" See you, Love, Barbara.

I can't confirm that this, but the quote may be attributed to Edward Everett (1794-1865), a Whig from Massachusetts who became the president of Harvard and Secretary of State under Fillmore. Another claim to fame is he gave a two-hour Gettysburg Oration in 1863 that was eclipsed in history by Lincoln's two minute Address. (Wikipedia)

The Thunderbird Lodge

THUNDERBIRD LODGE - EUREKA 5TH and Broadway Eureka, California 95501 Located in downtown Eureka, California, the "Heart of the Redwood Empire" at Broadway, between 4th and 5th streets. (Highway 101 North and South). - 15 minutes from Eureka Airport. Restaurant, heated swimming pool, T.V. radio, direct dial telephone, and automatic coffee makers.

Unused post card, circa mid 1960's. Several Thunderbird motels still exist. Check out some great images at All Things Thunderbird

Coca-Cola Pavilion

The Coca-Cola Pavilion
The Coca-cola Tower, rising from the court of this pavilion, features the world's largest and finest electronic carillon. The pavilion also features a unique, free "Global Holiday'" the U.S.O. Lounge and the American Radio Relay League.

Unused post card from the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York. I found very little information about the Pavilion, and no photographs of the actual building. The carillon was moved to Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

Laughing Water - Circus Circus

Laughing Water - Smiling clown face welcomes sun-lovers to sparlking pool at Circus Circus Hotel/Casion/Spa, mid-way on Las Vegas Strip. Carnival games and 13 hours of free circus acts daily, plus lavish gaming casino, variety of restaurants and snack bars, shops, convention facilities and 800-room luxury hotel provide full family recreational facilities at Las Vegas' most unique resort complex.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi,
"We are having a great time. Very hot 110 degrees and getting hotter. We sat next to 'Tommy' on 8 is Enough on the plane. We went boating, lost the anchor. We are going to see Tony Orlando tonite." See you soon, Love Linda.

I wonder how many small kids were terrified to jump in the water here. And where exactly do you go boating in Vegas anyway?

Port Austin, Michigan

July, 1907
Port Austin, Michigan

"Rec'd your post card some time ago. I am getting along pretty well so far. Have not upset the barrel yet. Tell your father I will write perhaps next week." Sincerely, J.R. Kay

On the front:

"This is one of Port Austin's residences, I play tennis on this lawn quite often. Ees dees not nice haus?"

This is one of the oldest cards I have. Prior to 1907, post cards were designed to only allow messages on the front, with the back reserved for the address. This card straddles that change in design, as the back is designed for both message and address, but the sender chose to write on both sides. The message on the front contains some pseudo-German in the last sentence.