Saturday, April 14, 2018

Messages penned on a pair
of mid-century postcards


Up first is a linen postcard, by C.T. Art-Colortone, featuring a quartet of images from the Pennsylvania Turnpike — the midway point (between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh), looking westward from Everett1, the Breezwood [sic] Interchange, and looking up the Allegheny Mountains. The caption on the back of the card further indicates that the building shown at the midway point is a Howard Johnson restaurant.2

This card was postmarked on August 4, 1947, in Norvelt, Pennsylvania, and mailed to Mr. Spruyt in New York City. The message states:
Arthur got here at 6 p.m. yesterday after a good trip. He left N.Y. at 7:30 a.m. Didn't stop at Camp Hill. We are going to Altoona to meet Murray & K. tomorrow. It's good to have Arthur with us again. He got a welcome from the gals. Write later. — Kay

* * *


This lovely card features a "Mystery Forest" that would probably be nicer to walk through than drive through. The caption on the front states: "Road Through the Birches, Indian Lake, N.Y." These days, Indian Lake, in northeastern New York, has a population of about 1,300 and is known as the moose capital of the Northeast.

This card was postmarked on July 7, 1959, in Sabael, a hamlet within Indian Lake that had its own post office until 2013. It was mailed to Miss Ruth Crawford in Aldan, Pennsylvania, but the note is addressed, in very neat cursive, to Rudi:
Hi Rudi,
How are things going now that you are a college grad? I decided to take two weeks off. My family and I are lost up here in the back woods. I've seen a bear and a deer so far. I got a 1959 Rambler but still have to get my license so, maybe I will get to visit you next year. Write when you can.
Bev. Clark

Footnotes
1. Everett was formerly called Wayneburg and Bloody Run. The tiny borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, is the birthplace of novelist Dean Koontz.
2. A different postcard describes the Midway structure as follows: "The Midway is an elaborate two-story building, which provides many modern innovations nestled in the beautiful hills of Bedford County, this de luxe service station offers relaxation, comfort and the finest cuisine service, whether meals are served in the colonial dining room or on tables appropriately decorating the flagstone terrace The management of all restaurants is under the direction of the well known caterer — Howard Johnson."

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