Monastery at Large

Category: Postcards from the South

  • Postcards from the South: Christian Science Church – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Christian Science Church (1899), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Christian Science Church in Atlanta, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1899.

    Written on the front is the following note:

    “May 14, ’07

    Am addressing this Sacramento for fear you have not received your Yosemite mail. Beautiful weather here. I am fine + dandy. Business is on the move.”

    Published by the Witt Brothers of Atlanta and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Atlanta on May 14, 1907, and addressed to Miss Grace B. Smith at Box 165 Davis Ave, Sacramento California R.F.D. #2 International Hotel, Yosemite Cal., and received in Yosemite, California, on May 25, 1907.

    Got all that?

  • Postcards from the South: The Manor – Asheville, North Carolina

    Postcard view of the Manor Inn (1898), Albermarle Park, Asheville, North Carolina

    This postcard depicts the Manor Inn at Albermarle Park in Asheville, North Carolina, designed by Bradford L. Gilbert and completed in 1898.

    Published by the Southern Post Card Co. of Asheville, the card was postmarked in Asheville on April 9, 1921, and addressed to Mrs. H.V.M. Dennis of 81 E. Main Street in Freehold, New Jersey.

    Printed on the back is the following description:

    The Manor, Asheville, N.C.
    In the “Land Of The Sky.”

    The Manor, an exclusive Inn, is located in a park of thirty-six acres and has its private club house, with tennis, bowling and billiards within the park. It is operated by The Albermarle Park Company of Asheville which also owns Albermarle Park and about fifteen cottages within the Park. These can be leased and furnished for housekeeping.

    Also written on the back is the following note:

    “Fri. Eve.

    Had a very pleasant day – all of us feeling much better. You would hardly know Mary [Sr.?]”

    I can see where a Mary Sr. might be unrecognizable.

  • Postcards from the South: Citizens Bank – Savannah, Georgia

    Postcard view of Citizens Bank (1896), Savannah, Georgia

    This postcard depicts the Citizens Bank in Savannah, Georgia, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1896.

    Published by the Souvenir Post Card Co. of New York and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in Savannah on February 9, 1912, and addressed to Mrs. Chas. E. Simond of 316 E. Monroe Street in Jacksonville, Florida.

    Written on the back is the following note from Mrs. Mac:

    “I am having a good time. We are on the [?] most of the time. I got use of the [?] at the party yesterday. It is much warmer but I nearly froze last week. [?] love to from you. Will be home next week.”

    You get the gist of that, right?

  • Postcards from the South: W.B. Chisolm Residence – Charleston, South Carolina

    Postcard view of W.B. Chisolm Residence (1893), Charleston, South Carolina

    This postcard depicts the W.B. Chisolm Residence in Charleston, South Carolina, renovated with a design by G.L. Norrman (or so say I) circa 1893.

    The card was hand-colored and published by Lanneau’s Art Store in Charleston, and postmarked in Charleston on May 18, 1946.

    Addressed to Mrs. A. Joceyln of 23 Essex Street, Holyoke, Mass., the card’s message is written by Edith and Brenda:

    Edith: “Hi [Harmony?] Jocelyn – We are here and loving every moment 2 our stay. We are doing our best + live as you showed me the way + are perfectly happy I feel fine. We are gaining weight, + tanning well. Love, Edith.”

    Brenda: “She is really gaining weight. She is now down (?) to 126 lbs. Brenda”

    Edith: “gaining from 119 to 126!”

  • Postcards from the South: St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Americus, Georgia

    Postcard view of St. Mary's Catholic Church (1892), Americus, Georgia

    This postcard depicts St. Mary’s Catholic Church, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1892.

    Published by the American News Company of New York and printed in Germany, the postcard was postmarked in Americus on September 25, 1908.

    On the back, B.P. wrote the following note to Mr. C.F. Wade in South Carolina:

    “I don’t owe you a card but will send you this to show you some of Americus.

    Hello, how do you like this?

    Do you ever see Miss Maggie? Am at
    home to day – Sumter Co”

    Well, that’s definitely some of Americus.

  • Postcards from the South: Hotel Aragon – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Hotel Aragon (1892), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Hotel Aragon in Atlanta, designed by Bruce & Morgan and completed in 1892.

    Published by the I.F. Company of Atlanta, the card includes the following promotional copy on the back:

    HOTEL ARAGON, PEACHTREE AND ELLIS STS.,
    ATLANTA, GA.

    Located in the hart of the city only minutes from
    shops, theatres and depots. All modern conveniences.

    The card was postmarked in Atlanta on April 15, 1923, and addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Terrel of 652 East 101st Street, Cleveland, Ohio.

    R.H.R. Charles wrote on the back:

    “Dear Friends,

    I expect to leave for Cleveland around about Wed or Thurs. [?] and many [?] having great time and lots to drink. P”

    Judging by his handwriting, he had a little too much.

  • Postcards from the South: Windsor Hotel – Americus, Georgia

    Postcard view of Windsor Hotel (1892), Americus, Georgia

    This postcard depicts the Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1892.

    Published by Holliday’s Book Store in Americus, the card was postmarked in Americus on February 12, 1912, and addressed to Mademoiselle [Myte Schmitz?] of 26 rue de la [something] in [Don’t know] France. Ooh la la.

    Barrien wrote on the back:

    “La Palace hotel de cetta [?]. C’est ici que j’ai éler domicile.”

    Roughly translated and filling in the blank, we get:

    “The Palace hotel of this [shithole town]. This is where I have taken up residence.”

    Let’s hope he got out of there—Americus isn’t kind to outsiders.

  • Postcards from the South: Whitehall Street – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Whitehall Street, Atlanta

    This postcard depicts an early 20th-century scene on Whitehall Street in Atlanta, looking north from Hunter Street (later Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SW). The Hirsch Building, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1890, is faintly visible on the right.

    Mrs. D. wrote on the back:

    “June 27 –

    We reached Atlanta yesterday covered with clay mud. Roads are very bad up here. Are going to leave machine here til later I think. Tell Harold we still have Fla air in our tires. We got in one mud hole – I think that’s doing fine.”

    Published by I.F. Company of Atlanta, the card was postmarked in Atlanta on June 27, 1912, and addressed to Mrs. H.H. Francis in Seven Oaks, Pinellas County, Florida.

  • Postcards from the South: Entrance to Westview Cemetery – Atlanta

    Postcard view of Entrance to Westview Cemetery (1890), Atlanta

    This postcard depicts the Entrance to Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, designed by W.T. Downing and built in 1890.

    On the back, Nellie Winslow of 186 Nelson Street in Atlanta wrote to Mrs. Emma Tabler of “R.F. #2, Morris, Ill”:

    “Will exchange with pleasure. Come again.”

    So much fuel for a dirty mind.

    Postmarked in Atlanta on January 16, 1908, the card was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons, who always provided the most exquisite illustrations. The back identifies the card as part of ‘Post Card Series No. 2428, “Atlanta, Ga.”‘ and includes the following description:

    ENTRANCE TO WESTVIEW CEMETERY.

    Westview Cemetery, in the western section of the city, is the most prominent burial place in Atlanta, and one of the most beautiful in America. The entrance of stone, with its massive tower, is almost completely covered with ivy.

  • Postcards from the South: Furlow Public School – Americus, Georgia

    Postcard view of Furlow Public School (1890), Americus, Georgia.

    This postcard depicts the Furlow Public School in Americus, Georgia, which received a renovation and expansion designed by G.L. Norrman in 1890.

    Published by the American News Company of New York and printed in Germany, the card was postmarked in 1908 and addressed to Marie Smetzer of “808 S. West Grand Ave., Springfield, Ill.”

    Corrine from nearby Plains, Georgia, wrote the following note on the back:

    “Recd card many thanks.
    Hope you will like this one
    Come soon again”

    Not very eloquent, but that’s a Sumter County education for you. Trust me, I know.