the florida state pie

Yummy!! Yummy!! This looked so good, just had to throw it up for all. This is a 1960s vintage promotional card from Florida Keys Wholesalers of Key West. Google'd them and seems they've been in the postcard and giftwares business for over 50 years. Lotta cards under the bridge. Gotta admit, I'm not much for sweets, yummies (or is it yummy's) is my wife's idea.

florida fun vacation

This one says it all. If you don't mean it, don't say it.

memorial day - 2008

Drive Safely - Courtesy of: http://www.vickiblackwell.com/

famous crooked street

Lombard Street, one the most famous and picturesque in San Francisco, winds tortuously down on the Russian Hill Section between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets. The street affords a magnificent view of the city from the top, and a thrilling descent by auto or foot. The street earned its nickname because of the eight sharp turns (or switchbacks) that are incorporated into its design. The switchbacks design was instituted in 1922 and born of necessity in order to reduce the downhill grade (27%) which was considered too steep for most vehicles and a serious hazard to pedestrians.

fruit cake capitol

Chocked full of Fruits and Nuts, moist and slices beautifully. Try it and be convinced. Once a customer, always a customer. Look for the Horse and Buggy Label, the choice of millions since 1910. - That Postcard says it all - Today the World Famous Claxton Fruit Cakes are baked in an ultra modern 50,000 sq ft bakery that covers virtually an entire city block on Main Street in Claxton, Georgia. Claxton Bakeries seven massive ovens are capable of turning out 86,000 lbs of Fruit Cake daily. The company partners with over 1,000 fund raising organizations and offers free delivery from its online store. To view their interesting history and a virtual tour, visit their website at www.claxtonfruitcake.com. It would appear that Claxton, Georgia really is, "The Fruit Cake Capitol of the World."

quiz winners

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a winner for our Apr 30, 2008 quiz. Mr. Jack McMeans of Warner Robins, Ga has submitted the correct answer: Lake Pontchartrain. Mr. McMeans confides that one of his favorite meals is breakfast at Waffle House. Accordingly, he will be awarded a $15. gift certificate for his next Waffle House purchase. A note of interest is that the winning postcard picture is now decidedly out of date. The bridge depicted was completed in 1956 and joined by a second span the 60s making it a double lane single span in each direction. By the way, this bridge connects New Orleans with the Louisiana highlands to the north and is part of the Greater New Orleans Expressway System.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We also have a winner for the May 9, 2008 quiz. Mr. Anthony Dupree of Springfield, MO has submitted the correct answer of California for our Mother Lode Country question. Mr. Dupree, a construction worker who is on the road a lot and is a fast food junkie says that the McDonald's certificate is right down his alley. Again, Congratulations!!!

modern day and vintage

Pictured above is the modern day and vintage views of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, head church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. At the time of construction the building was considered one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the country. The brownstone structure, largest in Philadelphia, took 18 years to construct and was finally dedicated on November 20, 1864. With its vaulted dome and majestic facade, ornate main altar, eight side chapels and main sanctuary that comfortably holds in excess of 2,000 worshipers, the cathedral basilica is indeed a magnificent structure that is as imposing as ever as it gradually eases into old age.

nothing ever changes

Over one hundred years later and its still being done in basically the same way. Except for the people and the period dress you'd hardly notice the difference. Note the gentleman on ladder to the right - Could he have been the model for the world famous "Uncle Sam Wants You" Poster?

miami bathing beach, 1930s

Summertime! Summertime! Summertime! - Summer's coming, time to start thinking of the beach. Thought this was a very good vintage beach scene. Click to enlarge the picture and note the meticulous 1930s landscaping and sharp looking old autos. Don't know the card date but it was posted from Miami via Air Mail to Belle Mead, NJ at 11:30 pm on Oct 5, 1934.

picture is worth.........

This Bridge and the background city require no introduction. Unless you've lived under a rock! But did you know that the bridge received its name from the gate over which it spans. Yes, the Golden Gate, the opening of San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. Now for those under the rock, any guesses as to the name of the city.

mother lode country

Been a busy week and I'm guilty of violating the first rule of blogging; failure to post. No excuses, I'll do better.

All right, time for a quiz. Next quiz is: This one should be easy since the title pretty well says it all. The historical area depicted in the Postcard above is located in what state? Being the big spender that I am, the first person to email the correct answer will receive a McDonald's $10 gift certificate. Hey!!! - it'll buy breakfast for two, or maybe three, or even four if you're not overly hungry (or thirsty). Forward your answer by eMail to may09quiz@postcardfile.com .

Also - - - Still awaiting a correct answer to the April 30 quiz. Check the archives to see if you know the body of water in question and send in the answer to either or both.

the pentagon west?

When I first saw this one, thought that maybe 'Jim' either didn't know where he was, or that maybe didn't know where the Pentagon building was located. But, after flipping card over a few times, figured that if he knew he had crossed the Mississippi heading to KC then he somewhat knew where he was. Anyway, note that the Pentagon cost $64 million to build. Wonder what the tab would be today.

old crabs everywhere

Think most towns have more than a few old crabs. This card had not been mailed, however there is a notation on back that says: I 'staid' here mar 8th 1961. Had a flat just before 'reachin' here and just after leaving bought 2 tires. Huh! Anyway, be sure to click on card to enlarge background detail; kinda interesting. Can't quite figure whether or not the gas price was 30 cents. Seems that I might remember it being around there at the time. Do remember that we would drive around half the night on a dollar's worth.

luxury then and now

This Hotel was the Jewel of the World in the 50s. These folks enjoyed their luxurious stay in August of 1957 as I was slaving away as a sophomore in high school. Originally built in the 1920s as The Stevens, the hotel cost the then astronomical sum of $30 million dollars, had 3000 rooms and was the grandest and largest in the world for many, many years. During World War II it was sold to the Army and housed 10,000 air cadets. After several renovations and name changes, in 1984 it was closed for a year and underwent the most comprehensive overhaul in hotel history at a cost of $185 million and resulting in a reduction to 1543 larger and more elegant rooms. Make sure to click on the postcard to enlarge picture so you can note that in 1957 the height of luxury was "radio and television available" and telephone numbers started with a word instead of area code. Today the hotel is known as the Hilton Chicago Hotel and is still the city's premier luxury destination.