Indiana - Vincennes, Red Skelton Bridge

Red Skelton Bridge, Vincennes, Indiana

This postcard was postmarked in 1970.

 

Indiana - Indianapolis, The Court House cira 1911

Court House, Indianapolis, Indiana

This was postmarked in 1911.

Indiana - Lowell, A Reproduction Postcard Circa 1900

Commercial Avenue, Lowell, Indiana

National Postcard Week 2014
May 4-10

My town circa 1900

This postcard was made by Richard Young. 

Indiana - Wally Byam Caravan Club

Wally Byam Caravan Club International
25th Anniversary 1955 - 1980
Athletic and Convocation Center
Notre Dame, Indiana

This is postmarked in 1980 - It is hand Stamped at the post office,  the hand stamp reads:  23rd Int'l Rally STA., Notre Dame, In. - WBCCI 1955-1980

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the sender writes:
Just a note and a card.  Had 3341 trailers.  Been pretty warm.  We are parked on grass. Our trailer #205 now.  It was changed and we didn't even now it.  Will tell you more about it later. Love, Mom and Dad

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Wallace Merle "Wally" Byam, (1896-1962) was one of the pioneer manufacturers of the travel trailer. He founded the company, Airstream Inc.

This is long, but interesting:

Byam was born July 4, 1896 in Baker, Oregon. As a young child he traveled extensively with his grandfather, who led a mule train in Baker, Oregon. Later, as an adolescent, Byam worked as a shepherd. He lived in a two-wheeled shepherd's cart outfitted with a kerosene cook stove, a sleeping bag, and wash pail. These early experiences contributed to his later entrepreneurial pursuits.

As a young man, Wally signed on with the merchant marines, attended Stanford University, owned an advertising agency, and became a magazine publisher. A do-it-yourself magazine he published featured an article describing how to build a travel trailer. When readers complained about the plans, Byam tried them out for himself. Indeed, he discovered the plans were flawed.

Byam was thus inspired to build his own travel trailer. While he considered his first attempt primitive, the design profoundly influenced the evolution of travel trailers. By dropping the floor down between the wheels and raising the ceiling height, his design made it possible for occupants to stand straight upright when inside the trailer. Byam wrote an article describing how to build his trailer for under $100 - this time drawing an enthusiastic response from his readers.

During the late 1920s, Americans were beginning to take to the roads in greater and greater numbers. Byam's new trailer was a perfect match for the increasingly popular mobile lifestyle. Byam thus began selling sets of his plans for five dollars each. He also sold complete trailer kits, and finished trailers he built in his Los Angeles backyard. His fledgling business survived the crash of 1929. By 1930 he had abandoned, advertising, and publishing to become a full-time builder of travel trailers.
During the mid 1930s, Wally honed his skill of fusing form and functionality. By incorporating aircraft construction methods to lessen wind resistance and improving the trailer's strength-to-weight ratio, his designs boasted a more aerodynamic and contemporary look.

On January 17, 1936, the Airstream Trailer Co. introduced the "Clipper," and a well-known American brand was born.

In 1955 Wally travelled to Europe with his wife Stella in a one of kind Airstream Bubble to scout the 1956 caravan.
Then in 1956 he travelled to Europe in a Gold Anodized trailer towed by a Cadillac.
Byam's spirit was the inspiration for the formation of the nonprofit club, Wally Byam Caravan Club International, to promote the use of Airstreams to travel as much as possible. The club is still in existence today with more than 7,000 member families. In 2007, the club held more than 1400 rallies and caravans.

Byam famously led caravans worldwide as publicity exercises for the Airstream brand. His most notable caravan was a 1959 sojourn from Cape Town, South Africa to Cairo, Egypt.

Wally Byam died on July 22, 1962 at the age of 66.

(I bet he had many, many wonderful stories to tell!!)

Indiana - Evansville Post Office

Designed in the English Victorian Gothic style, the Evansville, Ind., Post Office was completed in 1879.  The construction of the three-story building is of Indiana limestone.

Ektachrome by Helen O'Brien
1957

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The building is still there, and in wonderful condition, but now it is an office complex.

Indiana - Indianapolis, Garfield Park

Beautiful Garfield Park
Indianapolis, Indiana

Thousands of visitors enjoy this 128-acre park with its Sunken Gardens, Fountains, Greenhouses, Playgrounds, Swimming Pool and Outdoor Theater.
1960

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Today:
Garfield Park is a 184-acre site located in the East Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago's West Side.

It is home to the Garfield Park Conservatory, one of the largest and most impressive conservatories in the United States. Often referred to as "landscape art under glass," the Garfield Park Conservatory occupies approximately 4.5 acres inside and out and contains a number of permanent plant exhibits incorporating specimens from around the world (including some ferns that are over 300 years old). Additionally, thousands of plants are grown there each year for displays in Chicago parks and public spaces.

Indiana - Greensburg, Court House Tower

Court House Tower, Greensburg, Indiana

Lone Tree on Court House Tower,
Greensburg, Ind. is unparalleled in the world.  The present tree is about 13 years old but one or more trees have been growing on this tower for over 50 years.

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The Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg, Indiana, is known for a tree which grows from the top of the Courthouse Tower, giving Greensburg its nickname of the "Tree City.”

There have been one or more trees growing continually since the first tree was noticed in the early 1870’s. Later, other small trees appeared on the clock tower.
County officials were initially concerned that the trees would cause damage to the roof, and a steeplejack was hired in the 1880s to remove some of them. Two trees were left, with one ultimately growing to a height of nearly 15 feet. By the time it died, another tree had appeared.

Indiana - Alexandria, World's Largest Ball of Paint, from La Quinta

Greetings From Route LQ (Hotel chain La Quinta)

This gives a whole new meaning to "Paintball Fight."

World's Largest Ball of Paint
At a circumference of over 80 inches, this is not only the biggest ball of paint - it's the only one.  Two brothers started with a baseball and added over 22,300 coats of paint.  Visitors are invited  to choose a color and paint their own layer onto the ball. Why not?

Alexandria, Indiana
Nearest La Quinta: approx. 19 miles

With over 780 Locations, La Quinta Inns & Suites is everywhere you travel.
2010

Indiana - Santa Claus Land

The Christmas Dining Room
Santa Claus Land, Indiana

A luncheon or dinner in the Christmas Dining Room is a highlight and delight of any visit to Santa Claus Land.  The decor in color and theme of Christmas charms all guests.  A full menu of fine foods is always offered.  Enjoy a holiday dinner any day, complete with a Christmas tree and Christmas murals.  The Christmas Room is also available for special catering, conventions, parties, etc. by reservation.

Santa Claus
Santa Claus Land, Indiana

The major greeter for Santa Claus Land, is this jolly old get, who waves to every visitor, both young and old, as they enter the grounds at Santa Claus Land.  This statue has been photographed more times than any other statue of Saint Claus in the world.  This is an impressive monument to the patron saint of children, who brings joy to the world, and specially at Christmas Time.

Color Photo by Brock

Both postcards are postmarked in 1978 from Santa Claus, Indiana.

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Santa Claus Land is now Holiday World and it makes Santa share billing with Halloween, the 4th of July, and Thanksgiving.

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Santa Claus, Indiana, is a town located in Spencer County in Southwest Indiana.

Santa Claus, Indiana, was established in 1854. In 1856, when the town (then known as Santa Fe, pronounced "fee") was working to establish a Post Office, the US Postal Service refused their first application as there was already another Santa Fe, Indiana. Several town meetings were held, during which the name Santa Claus was selected.

The town has the world’s only post office to bear the name of Santa Claus. Because of this popular name, the post office receives thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world each year. A group of volunteers known as "Santa’s Elves" ensures each child receives a reply from Santa Claus; this tradition has been around since at least 1914. 

Indiana - Elkhart, Real Photo, Factory of C.G. Conn Music Instruments

Aerial view of factory, C.G. Conn Ltd., Elkhart, Indiana, world’s largest manufacturer of band and orchestra instruments.  Occupies more than 225,000 square feet of floor space and employs over 900 skilled craftsmen.  Capacity output of 7,000 complete instruments per month.
1957

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C.G. Conn Ltd. was a United States manufacturer of musical instruments, especially brass instruments.

Assets of C.G. Conn were bought by Steinway Musical Instruments in 2000 and in January 2003 were merged with other Steinway properties into a subsidiary called Conn-Selmer. 

Indiana - Hammond Civic Auditorium

Civic Auditorium, Hammond, Ind.

Indiana - Santa Claus, Santa's Post Offcie

Official Postmark from Santa's Post Office
Santa Claus Indiana

Santa Claus Museum
Experience the spirit of Christmas.  View memoriabilia (should read: memorabilia) and photographs of Christmas past and write a letter to Santa, all at the Santa Claus Museum.
2012

Indiana - Bean Blossom Bridge

National Postcard Week

May 6-12, 2012

Greetings from Indiana

Bean Blossom Bridge 1880

Indiana - Indianapolis, The State Capitol Building

Indiana

Looking north above a bed of geraniums at the State Capitol Building in downtown Indianapolis.

Photo by Darryl Jones
2011

Indiana, Indianapolis - President Roosevelt, Real Photo Postcard

President Roosevelt addressing 150,000 People
Unveiling of Lawton Statue
Indianapolis, Indiana.  May 30, 1907.

This is a Real Photo postcard.

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Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was the 26th President of the United States (1901–1909). He is noted for his exuberant personality, achievements, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity. His achievements as a naturalist, explorer, hunter, author, and soldier are as much a part of his fame as any office he held as a politician.

Perdu Marching Band, Indiana

Purdue's "All-American" Marching Band
Ross-Ade Stadium, Perdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana

There is a typed message on the back:
Saludos Amigos:
Felicidades con los estudiantes y el Director de las "Banda Purdue" en Lafayette, Indiana, Estados Unidos.

translation:
Greetings Friends:
Congratulations to the students and the Director of the "Banda Purdue" in Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

Al G. Wright (Hand Signed, 'Al')
Conductor (from 1954-1981)
Banda Perdue

postmarked in 1962 - sent to Senor Alvaro Forero, Centro Narino in Bogota, Colombia (The Purdue band went to Columbia on a 10 day Goodwill Tour)