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Postcard History: Dumbo the Elephant Ride, Disneyland, Anaheim CA, 1960s
The original Dumbo the Elephant ride was introduced at Disneyland in 1955 as part of the park’s grand opening. It was a simple, yet charming attraction that featured a single, spinning Dumbo figure. Children could sit in the elephant’s ears and enjoy a gentle ride. The ride was an immediate hit with young visitors and…
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Postcard History: Co-Operative Oil Company Gas Station, Rochester MN, 1940s
Constructed in 1940, the all-steel Cooperative Oil Company service station was located at 601 S. Broadway in Rochester MN. The building was designed by prominent Rochester architect Harold Crawford, better known for his more grandiose historical homes in the Pill Hill neighborhood and other landmarks. During its early years, the station was open 24 hours…
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Lost Postcard History: Strodtbeck’s Fine Breads & Cakes, Cleveland OH, 1910s
The story of German bakeries in the United States is deeply intertwined with the history of German immigration to the country. As millions of Germans fled their homeland in the 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought with them a rich culinary tradition that included a love of bread and pastries. These immigrants established bakeries…
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Lost Postcard History: Forgotten Butcher Shop, Cleveland OH, 1910s
Imagine a modest storefront with a large glass window displaying rows of hanging carcasses, their rich hues of red and brown catching the sunlight. Step inside, and the first thing you’ll notice is the pungent scent of blood and spices, mingling with the earthy aroma of sawdust. The shop is filled with the tools of…
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Postcard History: The Flip-Flap Rollercoaster, Coney Island NY, 1900s
A main attraction of Sea Lion Park in Coney Island, the Flip Flap Railway was built and tested in Toledo OH in 1888 by designer Lina Beecher, who tested the ride with sand bags and monkeys before human riders were allowed on the rollercoaster. The Flip-Flap featured a single rail, and riders rode two-to-a-car and sat in tandem. The…
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Postcard History: El Dorado High School, Placerville CA, 1916
Placerville, a charming town nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, has a rich history deeply intertwined with the California Gold Rush. Its story begins in 1849 when the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill sparked a frenzy of prospectors, leading to a population boom. Before the Gold Rush, the area was inhabited by Native American…
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Postcard History: Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley CA, 1930s
Telegraph Avenue, a vibrant thoroughfare that cuts through the heart of Berkeley, California, is more than just a street. It is a cultural and historical landmark that has shaped the city’s identity for over a century. From its humble beginnings as a dirt road to its current status as a bustling commercial district, Telegraph Avenue…
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Postcard History: The Original Brown Derby Cafe, Los Angeles, 1940s
The original Brown Derby opened its doors in 1926 on Wilshire Boulevard, across from the Ambassador Hotel. Its unique design, the brainchild of architect Wallace Neff, was a departure from the prevailing architectural styles of the time. The hat-shaped building, with its cozy interior and intimate atmosphere, created a welcoming and exclusive environment. The restaurant’s…
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Postcard History: The Municipal Pier, Santa Monica CA, 1920s
The Santa Monica Pier, a beloved landmark on the Pacific Coast of California, has stood as a testament to both the city’s rich history and its enduring appeal. From its humble beginnings as a wooden walkway to its current status as a bustling tourist destination, the pier has witnessed the ebb and flow of time,…
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Postcard History: The Miner’s Hat Diner & Drive-In, Kellogg ID, 1951
The Miner’s Hat was constructed in 1940, when Mary Etta Page had it built next to Highway 10. She ran it as a roadside diner, a place where hungry workers driving to and from their shifts in Kellogg’s lead and silver mines could grab a beer and a “Coney Island” hot dog, the Hat’s most…
