There is a fascinating history of hope, ambition, and need that is reflected in the creation of this enormous public work. Throughout the western US,
Paul Shickley lived in Marietta, the beautiful town overlooking the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marietta,_Pennsylvania Sometime around 1910, Paul was given a postcard from
Mrs. John Bittinger lived in Oberlin, an unincorporated community in southwest Dauphin County of south-central Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberlin,_Pennsylvania In March of 1911, Mrs. Bittinger received a
Mr. H. C. Stolzenbach lived in Baltimore, the busy port city and transportation hub for central Maryland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore In February of 1909, Mr. Stolzenbach received
Mrs. Morris Luther lived in Gray, a populated place near the boundary of the Adirondack Park in Herkimer County of central New York State. https://newyork.hometownlocator.com/ny/herkimer/gray.cfm
Based entirely on the number of postcard stories that mention these events, it appears that Christmas Dances were a common attraction in towns and cities
Miss Sara Smyser lived in Jersey City, the city in northeast New Jersey. Facing the Manhattan skyline across the Hudson River, the city is now
Miss Dorie Russell lived in Sugar Grove, a borough in Warren County of northwest Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Grove,_Pennsylvania In May of 1907, Miss Russell received a comic
Mary Sends A Box of Oranges – Elizabethtown, PA (1914) From the early 20th century, one can find an abundance of memorabilia celebrating the tropical
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
Tellings stories from the past.