Here's some neat stuff I have found on my adventures!

While browsing in an antique furniture store in Kenosha, Wi. I came across a box of old post-cards. I thought it would be fun to look for ones from home and here's the result!


This first card, postmarked Feb. 5, 1943 (no postage needed) is a nice black and white of Lake Pend Oreille located near Sandpoint, ID. I'm guessing the original picture was taken near Clark, ID. While it is a nice photo, the card's true beauty is on the back where it paints the real picture! Written by a sailor who I can only guess was on his way to WWII, it captures his first view of Idaho and a small slice of travel in the '40's:


From John Juras, A.S.
U.S.N.T.S.
Co 53 - 43 Camp Ward
Farragut, Idaho


Hello Kids
Well here I am a sailor. Boy this is the life, plenty of time and plenty to do. Passed all physical tests. Passed my strength test today. Did you get in Strube? (ED. NOTE: That last word is hard to read and may not be spelled correctly.- J.) The trip up here was terrible. No sleepers and 56 hrs on the road. The scenery here is very beautiful. No towns near us. All you see is clouds hiding the mountains. Cannot write more. No space.

Johnny


For the record, Idaho's panhandle is still quite a sight for the first time visitor! I highly recommend visiting, but please don't stay. Go home. NOW!



This card is postmarked Nov. 19, 1910 and shows a drawing of what is now called Stadium High School in Tacoma, WA. It caught my eye for several reasons, mainly the caption. It describes the "High School and Stadium" as it was the only High School at the time and the descriptive "Stadium" had not been added to it's moniker. The landscape around it has changed in the past 80 years and it is now surrounded by a highly developed and populated area.
The rest of the caption describes "Mount Tacoma in Distance." This was curious and required a bit of digging to uncover the truth behind this apparent typo. Originally, it was named Mount "Tahoma" or "Takhonia" by native tribes. After it's "discovery" by Captain George Vancouver in 1792 it was named after his friend Rear Admiral Peter Rainier. Today it is called Mount Rainier and has the distinction of being the highest point in the 48 connected states.
The final reason I had to buy this card is because of a personal connection of sorts. My Grandfather, Ray, went to and graduated from Stadium (or Stay-Dum as the jokers of the day called it!)



Left- Another Postcard. Mount Rainier (nee Tahoma) and the aptly named Reflection Lake! No date, but it does give hints. There is text on the back that reads "Reproduced by Spectratone from a Kodachrome..." and a round logo of three P-51 Mustang looking planes flying in formation circled by the words "LET'S GO! USA KEEP 'EM FLYING!" Any ideas? Email me!
Right- A picture of a waterfall I took while visiting Mount Rainier. Typical of the scenery in the Cascade Range.


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