Readers of these Postcard Stories are well-aware of my nostalgic love of railroads.

This postcard image shows a painting of Union Station in Chicago from the 1920’s.

The blurb on the reverse provides details about the railway lines intersecting at Union Station and about the incredible volume of passengers passing through this transportation hub.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Union_Station

The painting is signed; I believe it is “George Shepherd” an illustrator who was active in Illinois during the early 29th century.

Alas, very little biographical information is available about this artist (unlike George Shepherd, the English painter and member of the Royal Academy, from the previous century.)

Like many other postcards related to railroad travel, this postcard was published by Fred Harvey, the first great national restaurant and resort chain- that was built to serve railroad passengers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Harvey_(entrepreneur)

This postcard is addressed and stamped (the red, two-cent stamp reflects the postage rate increase imposed during World War I.)

But, the postcard was not mailed.

We may assume that it was given later to the addressee or enclosed in a letter.

Kathryn was traveling across a wide swath of the United States.

Although the postcard reflects her stop in Chicago, her message reports that she is already in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Kathryn adds, “Will be at Pike’s Peak tomorrow.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pikes_Peak

The trip has been enjoyable, “even some inconveniences like the upper berth.”

(Making this trip without a sleeper car would be far more “inconvenient”.)

Addressed to Mrs. Elam Zug of Manheim, Pennsylvania, the postcard message begins, “Dearest Emma.”

One hopes that Kathryn and her party had many pleasing adventures on their trip and that Kathryn was able to share more stories with Emma when the travelers returned safely.