The Dells is a fascinating feature of the Wisconsin River in south-central Wisconsin.
The spectacular rock formations were formed by the breaking of an ice dam on the glacial lake that covered all of central Wisconsin at the end of the last period of glaciation.
The Dells were made famous in 1886 by the photographer H. H. Bennett, who took the first stop-action photo of his son jumping onto Stand Rock
An important meeting place for native peoples in paleolithic times, the Dells became a widely-popular tourist attraction with the coming of the railroad in the late 19th century.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dells_of_the_Wisconsin_River
In August of 1905, Elise Selle was visiting the Dells.
She sent a postcard to her friends, Mr. and Mrs. J. Friedrich in Grand Rapids Michigan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Rapids,_Michigan
The postcard was mailed from the train station of the Chicago & Minneapolis rail line.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago,_St._Paul_and_Minneapolis_Railway
The face of the postcard bears a small photograph of Stand Rock near Kilbourn, Wisconsin.
It is labeled, “View of the Wisconsin Dells”.
Interestingly, the area of the Dells is now managed as a natural park by the State of Wisconsin.
Due to the unique biological life forms that evolved in the Dells, both flora and fauna, some side canyons have now been closed to visitors.
Elise did not comment on her travels, but we may hope that she was thrilled by the sights and that she returned safely to her home.
