In the mid-19th century, the Mountain Springs Resort was a popular destination for well-to-do visitors seeking a country retreat with salubrious natural springs. Presidents Buchanan,
Night Scene in Harrisburg – circa 1950 Many years ago, I visited Harrisburg regularly; I took graduate courses at the old Armory when Temple University
In March of 1907, John Smeltzer was staying at the Hotel Calvert in Snow Hill, Maryland. (Snow Hill, a community of about 1800 persons in
At the end of August in 1937, the Pecks were in Brandon, Vermont. They wrote to Joe McAllister in Glendale, Arizona to describe their trip.
Morning in Pennsylvania – 1935 On a bright morning like today, this postcard seemed appropriate. The postcard is interesting both for the pleasant view of
Nettie Visits Lancaster – 1924 I found this postcard, sent by “Nettie” from Lancaster, delivered to Elva Beck in Lewisburg. The month and date are
Birthplace of Joseph Heister – Fifth Governor of Pennsylvania I confess that, despite my mandatory High School course in Pennsylvania history, I did not recall
Edith Gets to Lancaster – Circa 1920 I am not sure what joke underlies Edith’s trip to Lancaster, but she alludes to one when she
Cousin Emma Vacations in “Splendid” Mount Gretna -July, 1923 I spent many happy days of summer in beautiful Mt. Gretna, and have a deep love
Shoot the Chutes at Pendora Park in Reading – 1912 I regret that I never had the opportunity to “Shoot the Chutes”. The toboggan ride
Highland House on Neversink Mountain – 1907 The city of Reading, PA once had a railroad that wound up Neversink Mountain to the hotels, dance
Chambersburg, a borough and county seat of Franklin County, lies midway between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in southern Pennsylvania. A frontier settlement of Scotch-Irish immigrants, the
A Sunday Visit to Mexico – 1938 On January 28, 1938, a friend of Virginia McAllister was again in Nogales, Mexico. I posted another postcard
The Woodpecker – 1907 Mr. Frank Wilson was living in Albia, Iowa in 1907. (Albia is a small city in south central Iowa, the seat
The Seaside Shanty for Christmas – 1908 My Robert Hamilton lived in Port Jervis, New York. Port Jervis lies at the confluence of the Neversink
“We Are Coming For Those Dahlias” – Middletown, PA (1914) In April of 1914, Elizabeth Caley sent a postcard to Mrs. Ben Caley of Middletown,
In June of 1908, Mamie Wenger received a postcard at her home in Lancaster, PA. The face of the postcard contained a medallion illustration of
Mrs. Frank Vollertsen lived near Rothsville, PA, the small community between Lititz and Akron on the Rothsville road. On July 16, 1912, she received a
The Flower Seller – Art Postcard, circa 1910 This postcard, never mailed, features an illustration of an English flower vendor. Produced in Berlin, the postcard
Sporting on the Swatara – circa 1905 This uncolored postcard photograph was printed circa 1905. There is no printers mark, which is a shame as
Wilt Thou Be Married? Circa 1910 I cannot guess why Miss Barringer of Schenectady, NY received a postcard that urged one to memorize marriage vows.
The Flirt – 1907 Not long after the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day in 1907, this comical illustration of a coquette was mailed to L.
Sending Love to Long Level – 1907 On the West Bank of the Susquehanna, a few miles below Wrightsville, is an area known as “Long
How did Blanche Respond in 1910? Long before dating became a digital parade of photos to which you swipe right or swipe left, ardent suitors
Courtship of Shepherds – Art Postcards to Blanche Copeland – 1907 Several months ago, I posted an example of postcard art – original works (many
Miss Blanche Copeland lived in Columbia, the pretty borough and center of commerce and transportation on the Susquehanna River of central Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia,_Pennsylvania Blanche’s residence
Grandpa Climbs Into the “Room Tree” – circa 1938 There were many natural attractions at Sequoia National Park and vintage postcards captured a few of
In Praise of Forests – circa 1940 Come to the woods, for here is rest.” ― John Muir Pennsylvania (“Penn’s Woods”) was once covered entirely
Travel to Mount Rainier – circa 1924 I love to travel by train and consider it the best way to become familiar with our large
The Prothonotary Warbler – Audubon Society circa 1930 Sometime before the quarantine began, I picked up a small collection of bird pictures. The illustrations were
We met Mrs. Eli Hess in an earlier postcard story. Mrs. Hess lived in the rural borough of New Holland, in Lancaster County of southeast
I was happy to find a Christmas postcard mailed, belatedly, on December 26. “A Friend” mailed a Christmas postcard to Lynda Zook on December 26,
Mrs. Eli Hess lived in New Holland, a rural borough in Lancaster County of southeast Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Holland,_Pennsylvania On December 21, 1908, Mrs. Hess received a
Nora Decker – circa 1910 I purchased a small lot of postcard photographs on-line because several of the postcards had inscriptions on the reverse. Among
“Daddy” in York – circa 1910 Sometime around 1910, this portrait was made by the photography studio of Simon & Murnane at 227 West Market
The Adventures of Art and Katie (circa 1910) Sometime in the early twentieth century, young Art and Katie were photographed outdoors. I assume the two
Willard Gets A Name – circa 1918 Ted and Mabel Bowles had a son; the small family was photographed at an unknown studio about 1918.
Lucy Nelson is “Doing OK” in Lincoln, Nebraska- circa 1910 Sometime around 1910, Lucy Nelson mailed a postcard photograph to her brother and his wife
Lydia Livingston of Gap At an antique mall near Strasburg, I found an old photograph from the Saylor Studio of Lancaster. The reverse of the
The Ladies Raise a Glass – celebration on June 14, 1911 I wish I knew more about this stately al fresco event. More than a
Daisy Stumph Sends a Postcard to Her Teacher – July 4, 1911 Daisy Stumph was fond of her teacher, Birdie Bricker. During July of 1911,
February 22 I am engaged in a solitary crusade to restore separate birthday celebrations for Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Here is a postcard, circa
Birthday of Abraham Lincoln Many of us can recall celebrating a separate birthday for Lincoln and for Washington in my childhood. In Elementary School, we
Wilford Sends a Thanksgiving Postcard to Grandma Olsen -circa 1915 Sometime around 1915, Grandma Olsen received a Thanksgiving postcard from her grandson, Wilford Nash. On
A “Peaceful Thanksgiving” in Florin – 1915 On November 25, 1915, Miss Miriam Guhl of Florin received a Thanksgiving postcard from N.L.V. The postcard, mailed
The Trumpets of Gideon – Sunday School circa 1905 I have posted Sunday School material from a variety of Protestant denominations. Today’s example is from
Roger Markey’s Birthday 1913 Roger Eugene Markey was born in 1910 and added to the “Cradle Roll” of the United Evangelical Church in Jacobus. In
“Hallowed Be Thy Name” – circa 1910 This beautiful card was printed in Europe (note the variety of languages on the reverse) sometime around 1910.
Rally Day in Penryn – October 24, 1926 Ninety-two years ago, Sara Long received her invitation to Rally Day at the Penryn Lutheran Church. Penryn
“Old” Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church” circa 1906 I found recently a postcard photograph of Grace Lutheran Church and the pastor, the Rev. C.E. Haupt. The
The B & O Railroad – circa 1910 Many people remember the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad only as one of the four railroads in the
Riding a Bicycle – York County (1908) Until the automobile became ubiquitous, the bicycle was the favored form of mechanical travel in the US. Improvements
Harry Kendig Writes to His Mother in Safe Harbor, PA – 1913 In September of 1913, Harry Kendig was in Erie, Pennsylvania and “so busy
Lil Explores the Mountains of Colorado – 1925 Lil was in Denver for a few days, but she was planning rail excursions into the mountains.
The Rotary International Convention -1926 Rotary Clubs are found around the world, bringing together professional people in many disciplines to support civic improvements and to
The Party Line – circa 1918 The magazine, “Successful Farming” was first printed in 1902, at a time when only 8% of US households had
Young Clifford Receives a Comic Postcard – Oil City, PA (1917) Master Clifford Huff lived in Rocky Grove, PA, a small community adjoining the larger
April Fools – 1910 This novelty postcard was printed in the United States, the image was copyrighted in 1909. Mailed from Harrisburg on March 31,
She Can’t Vote! – Circa 1916 The reliable, easily-adaptable Ford was a marvel to many auto owners of the early 20th century. One can find
Viella Homsher Has A Birthday – Bartville, PA, 1911 In October of 1911, Mamie was in Philadelphia but she remembered the birthday of her friend
Birthday Greeting with Swastika – Hanover, PA (1910) In other postcard stories, I have noted the common use of the swastika as a “good luck”
“The Huckster Has No Apples” – Woodbine in 1920 Mrs. Robert Atkins lived in Woodbine, and she was eager to obtain some apples. Sometime in
Daddy Sends a Birthday Postcard from St. Louis – 1909 Hazel Michael lived in Manheim, PA (Lancaster County). Her father, H. B. Michael (?) was
Pearl Dreads the Examination in Grammar – January, 1913 In January of 1913, Pearl sent a postcard greeting to her cousin, Grace, who lived in
Mollie Regrets Missing the Poultry Show – January 1909 Mary lived in Perry, a small city on the Mississippi River in north-eastern Missouri. On January
It was the birthday of Ralph Thomas who lived in Cochranville (Chester County), PA. Ralph’s friend, Clarence McCarter, sent him a postcard greeting. Mailed from
The Seaside Shanty for Christmas – 1908 My Robert Hamilton lived in Port Jervis, New York. Port Jervis lies at the confluence of the Neversink
Ralph Hopes to See Mollie in St.Paul – 1908 In May of 1908, Ralph Royer (Roger?) was traveling through Seattle, Washington. He mailed a postcard
Looking Good at Pen-Mar Park – circa 1910 A recent reference to Pen-Mar Park in the Retro York group sent me searching through a packet
In December of 1924, Mr. Jack Schock was preparing for Christmas in Washington Boro, PA. Washington Boro is a community in Manor Township, along the