The Dance in Osterburg – Schellsburg, PA (1909)

E. G. Kerr lived in Schellsburg, a small borough in Bedford County of south-central Pennsylvania.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schellsburg,_Pennsylvania

In September of 1909, E. G. wrote to Miss Salinda Moses in Osterburg.

Osterburg is a small unincorporated community in northern Bedford County; it is about 12 miles north of Schellsburg.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osterburg,_Pennsylvania

Based only on intuition, I believe that the writer is female and not well-acquainted with Miss Moses.

Ms. Kerr is eager to learn about a rumored dance in Osterburg.

She writes, “say, when is that dance going to come off in Osterburg”.

“I heard there was going to be one”, she adds.

Dances were a big deal if you lived in a small community where there were few opportunities for entertainment or socialization.

Ms. Kerr seems eager to participate in as many events as possible.

She asks Miss Moses, “I suppose you are going to the Bedford Fair.”

Bedford is the largest town and the county seat of Bedford County.

Located on an indigenous trade route, Bedford became a fashionable resort with the discovery of mineral springs in the area.

(Alas, the population of the town peaked in 1960.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford,_Pennsylvania

The face of the postcard is a a lovely pastoral scene of cattle grazing in a lush meadow through which a placid stream meanders.

The postcard art is entitled, “In Meadow Land”; the printing was done in the US.

One hopes that Miss Moses was able to confirm the date of the Osterburg Dance, that E.G. enjoyed the social event, and that the correspondents met again at the Bedford Fair.

Share:

Search By:

Topics:

More Postcards