The Wednesday Post

Song of the American Road, part 1, take 2
I know you would love it here; it's beautiful

Six years ago today, I started the occasional "Song of the American Road" series, featuring boring postcards and the messages they carried.  Not everyone likes the boring-postcard aspect of this here online entertainment, but sister jen got it:

Oh my god, fab. These are so lovely I ache. Little fragments of people's lives, like rose petals pressed in a favorite book. Love it.

Well, sister jen and I share some tastes and interests.  We're actually quite closely related.

Let's take another listen to the Song of the American Road, and find out how things have changed along the way!

---

FLORIDA's BEAUTIFUL SINGING TOWER
Located in the Mountain Lake Sanctuary, Lake Wales, Florida, the 205-foot Singing Tower is on the highest ground in the Florida peninsula.


Dear Ula and All, Haven't been to tower this year. Guess weather the reason. So glad your better & keep it up. Will be home next month & see you. We'll all be glad to have spring come. Love to all, Mabel & Nellie.

The Singing Tower is still there.  It's the highlight of the Bok Tower Gardens, a large private park and bird sanctuary in Central Florida that was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.  Why is it the "singing" tower?  It has a carillon, is all.

THE STOCKS AND PILLORY IN THE KING'S PARADE AT ST. GEORGES

We finally arrived. I know you would love it here; its beautiful. I'm very glad I came. Have a Happy New Year. Love, Myra

Well, no one calls it the "King's Parade" anymore.  They call it "King's Square."  But it is still there, and, as is clearly visible on this recent imagery from a well-known online source of street-level photography, the stocks and pillory are still kept in tip-top condition!

K-1690
CRATER LAKE, OREGON IN WINTER SPLENDOR
The shimmering blue lake as seen in mid-winter with Mt. Scott looking 9000' in the distance.


Dear Grandma, We're spending our 2nd nite in Ontario, Oregon. Linda and I are a little tired from just sitting on our bottoms. Give my love to Helen and Mary. Will try and write all of you later. Love, Melissa

Well, Crater Lake is still there of course.  It's not in winter splendor just now, because it's not winter.  In fact, last I heard a fair chunk of the mountain was on fire, but that was a few weeks ago.

Frankly, I kind of feel that, although the idea of a lake in a volcano crater seems pretty nifty, the execution falls a bit flat.  But then, appreciation of natural splendor is not one of my strong suits.  Lots of people think Crater Lake is fabulous.

The Wednesday Post

Tales from an American Roadtrip, part 1
Doesn't yet seem like we are on vacation but it probably will soon

Ralfroy Motel
“On the Old Oregon Trail”
2½ miles east of Boise’s Business District on Highways 30 and 20
15 Modern Courts – Some with Kitchens

Mon. Morn.

Only drove here – Boise – last evening. We plan a little longer drive today maybe. Doesn’t seem yet like we are on vacation but it probably will soon.

Caymus & Townsends



BATTLE OF PIQUA MARKER
The marker is on the site of the Indian village of Piqua and the Battle of Piqua where George Rogers Clark defeated the Shawnees in 1780. The marker as well as a statue of Clark are in a memorial state park, 5 miles west of Springfield, Ohio on Rt. 369.

LANIER BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL, MACON, GA. – 26

Once an Indian Trading Post, next to grow into Fort Hawkins, this city became known as Macon in 1823. Today Macon is important both in cultural and industrial fields. Its schools offer more than ordinary educational facilities.

Dear Peter:

Am spending my vacation with Pat and Hank. Macon is a beautiful city. How is school going?

Love, Aunt Elva



FLAGSHIP HOTEL
“Over the Gulf of Mexico”
Galveston, Texas

Dear Bev & Jack,

So far I’ve been having a pretty nice vacation! (Sure needed it after 7 yrs. With Gene Smith – eh, Jack?) Guess in about 3 weeks I’ll have to get down to “business.”

Hope all is well with you. Tell Jell & Drew hello for me.

Much love, Joanne & Ann



American Falls of Niagara under illumination.
Taken from Niagara Falls.

Cheryl,

Hi, how are things with you? I’m having a blast and my cold was almost gone but I went swimming and it got worse. Hope you are having fun. Will write soon.

Anna

The Wednesday Post

East by Northeast
A real pleasure to go thru
Jimmy & Michael love it out here 


THE OLD AND THE NEW.
THIS IS CHEAT BRIDGE YESTERDAY 
AND TO-DAY, ON U.S. 50 
IN BEAUTIFUL WEST VIRGINIA

6/30/64  Dear Mr. & Mrs. Jones,

We got here yesterday. It took us 14 hours to drive.  Jimmy &Michael love it out here.

Arlene and Jim


OLD COUNTRY STORE MUSEUM
1 Mile S.W. of West Chester, Penna.
On Lenape-Longwood Rd.& Rts. 52 and 100.

This is a quaint store.  A real pleasure to go thru.  All imports.  Candy from Belgium.  Museum filled with antiques.  Have lovely time browsing.  Ann Luedeman


SCENIC VIEW OF FUNDY NATION PARK, ALBERT COUNTY, NEW BRUNSWICK -- I

Fiddleheads are scarce.  Had some.
Jane Hudson


PEGGY'S COVE, NOVA SCOTIA
Color by Bureau of Information, Halifax, Nova Scotia
 

Thanks for putting the lamp shades up first.

We do not like Nova Scotia.

Having a nice time.

Clara Cook

The Wednesday Post

If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you!
But of course civilization is moving in.
Cottages available accommodating 2 to 6 people.


LANSING, MICHIGAN

Downtown Section of the State Capital City of Michigan.

July 23-67.

Hi folks, as usual my plans had to be changed & I will go home by the way of Columbus, Ohio, so wont get to see you this time.  I'm having a nice time visiting with our old neighbors and friends.  will be going back this wk.  but have to stop in Topeka on my way to Stockton.  I'm sorry I wont get to see you but can't be helped.  will write more later.  hope you are OK.  I'm fine.

Love Ann


Loading boxcars on the boats of the Pere Marquette line at Ludington, Michigan

Interstate Hy. 75 which runs from Canada to Southern Florida, is shown here west of the Police Post, Houghton Lake, Michigan.

It's 32 miles around this lake.  We fish on the ice often.  We've been here 22 years.  We all like to fish and I have had a lot of deer hunting too.  There are bear and bobcats within five miles of home.  But of course civilization is moving in and they move out.  There was no SDA church when we came and ones was organized after being here 2 years.  My mother was with us last summer she will be 83 this month, she is with Clifford in Peoria.



TOUR BOAT - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Tour Boat BIDE-A-WEE in the Mac Arthur Lock.  The excitement of being raised or lowered 21 feet in one of the locks can only be accomplished by taking a cruise on one of the Soo Locks Tour Boats.  This is the best way to see the actual operation of the Locks.

Carl stayed home.

Sat. 7/22

Hi, 

I am vacationing in this area with Mom Hall & Dolores.  Right now I'm in one of these tour boats in the Canadian locks towering over our boat.  Left Fri. 1 p.m., took 6 hour trip by Ferry from Milwaukee to Ludington, Mich.  Will get home Mon nite about 12 Midnite.  Will write later.  Virginia, Mom Hall & Dolores.



LAKESIDE INN RESORT
Whitehall, Michigan

Located directly on White Lake, near Lake Michigan.  Cottages and Ranch House with guest rooms, private tile showers.  Cottages accomodate 2-6 people.  Fishing, Sailing, Swimming, Tennis and Shuffleboard.  American Plan.  Adjoining White Lake Golf Course.

Phone Whitehall 2-2880.  L.G. Groessl, Prop.

LAKESIDE INN RESORT, White Lake, Whitehall, Mich. 

Private sandy beach, beautiful shaded lawn, near Lake Michigan.  Excellent food served in dining room.  Cottages available accommodating 2 to 6 people, also new modern housekeeping apartments.  All with private showers.  Fishing, swimming, sailing, tennis and shuffleboard. Adjoining White Lake Golf Course and Yacht Club.  Louis and Ann Groessl.   Whitehall, Michigan.

The Wednesday Post

Stuck Outside of Memphis With the Mobile Blues Again
A Boring Postcard Triptych.

KENNEDY VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL at Getwell Road, Memphis, Tennessee.  One of the three largest paraplegic centers in the United States.  This 1750-bed hospital is one of the Veterans Administration's finest general medical and surgical hospitals.  Approximately 13,000 veterans are treated here annually.

Dear Harriette,

Well here I am in Memphis.  Very lovely: the temperature got up to 65 today January 21st.  I keep busy just going.  This friend of mine has a car, and we do cover ground will write again later.

Hope you are well.
Love, Ella


Cossitt Library, Memphis Public Library System, 22 South Front

Cossitt Library houses the reference and research collection of the Memphis public library system, and also the downtown circulating library.  Three miles east of the business district is the Main Library, at McLean and Peabody.  Seven branch libraries serve the residential areas.  More than a half million volumes are available.  Special departments are offered for business, science, industry, genealogy, and music.

Dear Harriette

The weather here is clear & cold.  No ice underfoot.  When it does snow it does not lay long it melts before the day is over.  I may get a chance to write a little later. Ella.


MEMPHIS MUSEUM -- CHICKASAW GARDENS
Memphis, Tennessee

Dear Harriete, Beautiful weather here.  Have been wanting to write but never got down to it.  Was too busy knitting a Sweater Plus Slippers.  Will call you when I get home will be getting home soon.  Ella

The Wednesday Post

Greetings from Illinois!
Even if you're already there.

The ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM located at Spring and Edwards Streets in Springfield, Illinois, houses outstanding exhibits in Natural Science, Anthropology (including Illinois Indians), and ART.  This modern two million dollar air-conditioned, fireproof museum was opened February 4, 1963

Chicago Natural History Museum
formerly Field Museum of Natural History

STANLEY FIELD HALL
The great central hall of Chicago Natural History Museum is 299 feet long, 68 field wide, and 75 feet high.  The hall was named by the Board of Trustees in honor of Stanley Field, President of the Museum since 1909.

Will write more later.

2 - Cont'd from last post card
You can spread the news.  We plan to keep him always.  Moving to Chariton, Iowa, officially the week of Sept 15.  Moved out of Ashland.  Furniture temporarily stored at 222 E. Sheridan, Peterburg, Ill, c/o Rev L Briney.  Write us there or at: Box 538, Fayette, Mo, c/o Jensen's next week only.  We're taking a vacation.  Will be back in Petersburg about 9/10.  Love, Virginia & Carl & "Little Carl"


NORTHERN CHALET
Libertyville, Ill.
On Rte. 21, South of Intersection Rts. 21, 63, 137
German Specialities
Prime Ribs, Steaks, Seafood
Lunch and Dinner.  Fine Cocktails
362-8208

THE PANTRY
718 GARDEN STREET -- PARK RIDGE, ILL.

The Lime House
Authentic reproduction of 18th century English country pub.... featuring 16 brands of imported ales, stouts, and beers... pewter mugs... collector's-item antiques... exceptional service.

CHICAGO'S
HOTEL KNICKERBOCKER
WALTON, JUST EAST OF MICHIGAN -- AT THE SIGN OF THE LION

Dear Mrs. Jones, We are in Chicago.  I tried to call you.  But could not find your telephone number.  As soon as you get the card you call me please.  Room 418.  Minnie Goululry[??]