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Postcard History: Twin Tree Lumber Company, Maplesville AL, 1914
The Twin Tree Lumber Company had a notable presence in the lumber industry, particularly in the early 20th century. One of its significant operations was in Maplesville AL, where a mill was incorporated in 1901. This mill was quite large for its time, featuring a man-made pond to keep logs from drying out before being…
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Postcard History: Sonoma County’s “Coffee Grinder” Train, 1907
The “Coffee Grinder,” officially known as San Francisco and North Pacific No. 99, primarily served the 2.5-mile Guerneville Branch in Sonoma County. This line was crucial for hauling logging trains and providing local passenger service along the Russian River. Historical photographs from around 1900 to 1904 depict this distinctive locomotive in action, often pulling lumber…
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Postcard History: Erie County Bank Building, Buffalo NY, Early 1900s
The Erie County Savings Bank Building, once a prominent landmark in downtown Buffalo NY, stood as a testament to the city’s prosperity and architectural ambition during the late 19th century. Constructed between 1890 and 1893, this grand edifice served as the headquarters for the Erie County Savings Bank until its demolition in 1968. Its history…
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Postcard History: Eugene Ely, Aviation Pioneer, in Oneonta NY, 1910s
Eugene Burton Ely (1886-1911) was a pioneering American aviator who achieved the first successful airplane takeoff from a ship and the first successful landing of an airplane on a ship. These groundbreaking feats marked the beginning of naval aviation. Born and raised in Iowa, Ely developed a passion for automobiles and became a skilled…
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Postcard History: The Hippodrome Theatre, New York City, 1910s
The New York Hippodrome was a massive theater on Sixth Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets in Manhattan, New York City. It opened on April 12, 1905, with a lavish production titled “A Yankee Circus on Mars.” The Hippodrome was designed by Frederic Thompson and Jay Herbert Morgan in the Beaux-Arts style with Moorish Revival…
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Postcard History: The Forgotten A.B. Pedroni Bakery, Yountville CA, 1910s
The history of Italian bakeries in California is inextricably linked to the broader Italian immigrant experience in the state. Beginning in the mid-19th century, Italians, particularly from regions like Sicily, Calabria, and Piedmont, arrived in California in significant numbers, drawn by the promise of economic opportunity, particularly in agriculture and mining. As Italian communities grew,…
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Postcard History: The Quaker Oats Company, Akron OH, 1930s
The story of Quaker Oats is deeply intertwined with the city of Akron, Ohio. It all began in 1850 when German immigrant Ferdinand Schumacher founded the German Mills American Cereal Company. Schumacher, often called the “Oatmeal King,” pioneered mass-produced oatmeal using medieval milling techniques. His “Jumbo” plant in Akron was a marvel, churning out 360,000…
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Postcard History: USS Macon Goodyear Zeppelin, Akron OH, 1930s
The USS Macon, a colossal airship of the 1930s, was a marvel of engineering and a testament to the audacity of the U.S. Navy. As one of the largest airships ever built, it pushed the boundaries of aviation technology and captured the public’s imagination. The Macon was a product of its time, born from…
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Postcard History: Municipal Stadium, Cleveland OH, 1954
Cleveland Municipal Stadium, a colossal structure that once dominated the city’s skyline, was more than just a sports venue. It was a symbol of the city’s industrial might and a stage for countless iconic moments in American sports history. The idea of a municipal stadium first emerged in the early 20th century. With the city’s…
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Postcard History: Stearns Salt & Lumber Company, Ludington MI, 1910s
The Stearns Salt and Lumber Company, a prominent figure in the 19th-century lumber industry, played a significant role in shaping the economic landscape of the Great Lakes region. Founded by Justus S. Stearns, the company’s operations were centered in Ludington MI, and extended into the vast forests of the Upper Peninsula. Stearns, a visionary entrepreneur,…
