Sporting on the Swatara – circa 1905

This uncolored postcard photograph was printed circa 1905.

There is no printers mark, which is a shame as I am certain that it was printed locally.

The legend on the face indicates that this is a spot near Middletown, PA, in Dauphin County.

The young folks appear to be relaxing or dallying along the banks of the Swatara.

The identification of a “romantic spot” might suggest a bit of amorous play was intended.

We may think that the young folks of our parents’ or grandparents’ generation were decorous and proper, but finding secluded romantic spots for spooning or canoodling is an age-old phenomena of young people.

This postcard was not mailed, so we cannot know if there was some flirtatious impulse behind the purchase of it.