This postcard shows acrobats performing on a stage on South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter. The Four Flying Banvards are shown in front of businesses along the west side of the 300 block on the avenue on the Fourth of July in 1908.
The information on this post card says Crowd leaving bridge; The Aerial Bridge; Miniature Train, White City. Joyland White City was the name of the amusement park at the end of Minnesota Point at Oatka Park. It was named White City based upon the buildings constructed at the recently experienced World's Fair where buildings were constructed using "white" building materials. There were rides and a pavilion for performances, dances and music. White City was short lived, about 1905-1911. The pavilion remained and the location reverted to the prior name of Oatka Park. The small train was moved to the Duluth zoo when the last features of the amusement park were dismantled in the 1950s. This post card was mailed in July 1907.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
This aerial view shows the roller coaster and fun house at Excelsior Amusement Park, on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. The amusement park was built in 1926.
American Legion 40-8, Voiture Locale No. 281 with train engine-shaped vehicle and people in costume. The side of the engine is inscribed, "La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, Mankato, Minnesota."
This often created card shows a fisherman with a hypothetical catch of many fish, including Northern, Walleye and Bass. This card is labeled Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, postmarked 1909.
Picnickers, dressed in their best, sit in rowboats on Oakleaf Lake. The lake was named in honor of H. J. Eckloff, a Swedish farmer, whose name when translated means "oakleaf".
The Avoca baseball team in the early 1900's. Pictured in the back row, Otto Rakness, Jim Crowely, Jim Fitzpatrick, John Farrell, Joe Crowley and Adolph Peterson. Front row, George Rakness, Louis Westby, Axel Frisk, Dave Johnston and Ted Mahoney.
Fourth of July celebration at the Agricultural Society grounds in Glenwood. A large crowd is assembled for a hot air balloon ascension and other recreational events.
A drum major and Marching Band of Gustavus Adolphus College are parading on Minnesota Avenue, St. Peter. Nicollet County Court House is in the background. Postcard sent to Amelia Turner, 2127 Dudley Ave., St. Anthony Park, St. Paul, Minn., the front reads, "You may have gotten one of these before, I don't remember what kind I sent you. Have almost forgotten the event but these [sic.] card will keep it in close memory." The back reads, "Dear Cousin; I suppose you are coming home for thanksgiving are you not, to help us eat turkey. No you needn't. I can take care of it my self. How is the "Republican" getting along[?] He's quiet now seeing that we have a Gov. of in party. With a hunger for turkey, I am Willard".
Quinta basketball team of 1915. The basketball has Quinta '15' painted on it. Back row left to right: Alvin Borchard, Thomas Behrer, Walt Leininger, Walter Bohrer. Front row left to right: Art Klebeno, Ernest Meichsner, ? Richer.
Nine boys posed with basketball. Eight are in uniform, one is in a suit. The basketball has "18" painted on it. In the second row the boy on the far right is Karl F. Wentzel.
Sexta basketball team of 1913-1914. The basketball has "Sexta '13" painted on it. Eight boys are posed with the basketball; seven are in uniforms and one is in a suit.
Wooden boats are pulled ashore and picnic baskets appear in this generic beach scene, with a black and white inset photo labeled Steamer Excelsior, Minnetonka. The writer mentions the large number of advertisements in the paper for fine horses for sale. The Bureau of Engraving's logos is printed on back, color added, postmarked 1910.
Studio portrait of the Belle Plaine Band. Seen are the all-male band members with their instruments and wearing their uniforms. Printed on a drum is "Belle Plaine Band/Belle Plaine, Minnesota." The card is used and is addressed to Mr. Math Gansen of Belle Plaine. The message on the card reads "...., Fran."
Photo of 1914 Belle Plaine High School Football Team in a classroom in various poses. Most are seated on Windsor chairs, some seated cross-legged on floor. The football is inscribed: "BPHS'14." Another boy at the blackboard is writing various slogans: "B.P. Football Team, After the game" and "Champions of Minn. Valley."
Entrance to Big Island Park shows the path through the grove of trees. Message says this pleasure park is 18 miles out by trolley, and that the tower, peristyle, etc., are all concrete, dated and postmarked 1909.
Visitors enjoy the shade in a grove of trees at Big Island Park, color added. Card is addressed to Hoke Smith, United States Senate, Washington, D.C., postmarked 1913. Message reads: Lithography is the working man's art. Don???t destroy American Art! Help us develop American art! Why not lithograph these in Amerika? More of these cards than ever are being lithographed abroad! I receive 25 dolls per week as a lithographer. Please don't cut this down. German lithographers get only one third of the wages Americans do.
Visitors to Big Island Park arrive and depart on steamboats such as the Saint Paul. Message describes white water lilies and mosquitoes, color added, postmarked 1909.
Two boats are at the Veterans Camp dock on Big Island. Message mentions cooking enough apples to get two quarts and one pint of lovely apple sauce for winter use, postmarked Excelsior, 1938.