Genealogy List - E.T. Burkhart, R.L. Bodkin, Helen Stout

Today's list of ancestors waiting to be reunited with their family are:

Miss Helen Stout
McCune, Kansas

Helen was sent a postcard posted in 1912 from Orangeville, Illinois of the Freeport Carriage Company.


Mrs. R.L. Bodkin
113 Crofton Ave.
San Antonio, Texas

I have three cards today which were sent to Mrs. Bodkin. Clyde from Muskogee, Oklahoma posted cards in 1912 of the Muskogee High School and the Dr. F.B. Fite Residence. Nila, (or Noila) sent a card showing the Brushy Creek in Yoakum, TX.



Mrs. E.T. Burkhart
Ramona Apart.
Long Beach, California

Jessie sent Mrs. Burkhart a postcard in 1910 of the Knights of Pythias State House in Springfield, Ohio.

Postcards and Genealogy - Hamilton, Barkley, Roam

Postcard messages from the 1900's were very much like Twitter is today. News of births, deaths, illness and yes even the weather was noted in these brief missives. Day to day events are pure gold to genealogists and those interested in genealogy so today I start my daily log of names and addresses in hopes of helping you connect with your past.

Today's listings include postcards sent to:

Miss Amy Hamilton
809 E. Jefferson St.
Kokomo, Indiana

James Barkley
Sandusky, Wisconsin

Charles Roam
Rushville, Indiana

Miss Amy Hamilton received this postcard of the Heisen Building in Chicago, Illinois. Finished the summer of 1912, John D. was sure to point out the wireless apparition on the top, no doubt a novelty to residents of Kokomo, Indiana.

The Party Line

The stereotype of women being the only gender who enjoys a bit of gossip is one of the reasons I just love this postcard. The artist; John Morton, captures a bit of grin after the old man hears some juicy news and the name The Party Line is perfect.

Before World War II, most people who had telephone service in their homes were part of a party line. You would share a line with up to twenty people, each having their own "ring." Because this line was shared anyone on the same line could pick up their receiver and listen in on the conversation.

This postcard was reproduced from the October Cover of the Successful Farming Pub. Company of Des Moines, Iowa in 1914. A mainstay in most farmers homes the magazine featured new farming and animal advances, and for the ladies recipes and the latest home decorating trends. As was the custom of the day, postcards were given as small gifts or premiums with the added advantage of advertising their product.

I thought this postcard would be a great image for a vintage contact page so I scanned the card at 300 PPI for good resolution and then cleaned it up on Photoshop, this image is free for you to use and enjoy.

Dewey Readmore Books Postcards

Earlier this summer I finished reading the book Dewey The Small - Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron.

If you haven't read the story of the little kitten who stole the hearts of the Spencer Iowa Public Library patrons, not to mention the whole world than I would highly recommend you do. It is a short book and easily read in a few sittings but a story that will capture your heart and long be remembered.

After reading this sweet story I just needed to find out more about this extraordinary cat and found that Dewey has a Wikipedia page, a facebook page and is even on YouTube! In fact, Variety reported the news that New Line Cinema is planning a movie staring Meryl Streep as the librarian and author of the book, Vicki Myron.

As a special treat for postcard collectors, the Friends of the Spencer Library are selling Dewey Readmore Books Postcards with proceeds generated to aid in purchasing items for the library not covered by their budget. The postcards are all of Dewey in four different poses, each card is $1.50. This to me was a win - win situation, I am able to have a set of postcards featuring Dewey AND help the Spencer, Iowa Public Library!

The Fresno Hacienda Barmobile

Yesterday I attended the Spring Dallas Metro Postcard Show and Sale and found this interesting postcard featuring the Fresno Hacienda barmobile. This post card sparked my curiosity and I had to find out more information on a resort who provided their guests with such a unique service. Sadly, little was available on the web about the Hacienda's history but I was able to find some interesting pictures and information on its present condition and a blog from its current owners.

The Fresno Hacienda, located Highway 99 at Clinton Avenue just north of Fresno, was once a renowned resort which boasted of being the World’s finest and largest convention motel. The finest dance music, food and floor shows including celebrities such as Nat King Cole were provided nightly and their famous Sunday Smorgasbord and daily Chuck Wagon kept their guests mouths watering and their stomach’s happy.

The Hacienda, was one of four properties owned by Standard Motels, Inc., with the others located in Paradise Nevada and Bakersfield and Indio California. All of the resorts featured the Horse and Rider sign which can be seen in the background of the featured Barmobile postcard.

As the Barmobile electrically drove around the motel’s entire 11 ½ acres providing parched Fresno Hacienda patrons liquid refreshments, it played the melody “How Dry I am” that dear readers is what I call customer service!

This postcard along with many others featuring the state of California may be found in my web store The Postcard Emporium.