1950s, Architecture, Buildings & Architecture, Chrome (1945–present), Sent From: Unknown, Sent To: Unknown, Sights Collection, Subject: No Specific Location, Transportation

Postcard #1090: brick U

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Front of postcard #1090: Real photo postcard of the brick U.S. Post Office in Carthage, Illinois. The building is a single-story structure with a
Back of postcard #1090

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: ILLEGIBLE
  • Sent To: Unknown
  • Era: Chrome (1945–present)
  • Stamp: NOT VISIBLE
  • Distance Traveled: Undetermined
  • Notes: Blank card. The Carthage Post Office building shown was completed in 1933.

About This Card

This second real photo postcard of the Carthage Post Office shows the building from a slightly different angle than card 1089, suggesting both cards were made at around the same time by someone systematically documenting the city’s public buildings. The Carthage post office was the hub of Pearl’s correspondence — every card in this collection passed through it at some point, either arriving or departing. It processed Harvey’s railroad postcards from Fort Madison, Elva’s cards from Hawaii, Marnelle’s cards from Chicago, and Frank McMinimy’s cards from France.

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1910s, Architecture, Buildings & Architecture, Golden Age, Nature & Landscapes, Parks & Nature, Parks & Recreation, Sent From: Unknown, Sent To: Unknown, Sights Collection, Subject: No Specific Location, Transportation

Postcard #1089: UNITED STATES POST OFFICE CARTHAGE ILL.

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Front of postcard #1089: A real photo postcard showing the brick building of the Carthage, Illinois Post Office. The building has a flag flying f
Back of postcard #1089

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: ILLEGIBLE
  • Sent To: Unknown
  • Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
  • Stamp: NOT VISIBLE — Stamp missing but printed box with EKC logo visible.
  • Distance Traveled: Undetermined
  • Notes: Blank card. Real Photo Postcard (RPPC). The car and architecture suggest a date in the late 1930s or 1940s, despite the Divided Back layout.

About This Card

The Carthage, Illinois Post Office occupied a brick building that served the city’s federal postal needs in the early twentieth century. As the county seat of Hancock County, Carthage received its federal buildings — courthouse, post office — through the same process of federal investment that gave small county seats their civic permanence. Pearl’s correspondence arrived and departed through this building for most of her life at 318 N. Fayette Street.

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1900s, Buildings & Architecture, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Greeting Card, Sent From: Iowa, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Iowa

Postcard #0093: Wever, IA — and violet to Pearl, June 1908

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Front of postcard #0093: Illustration by Katharine Gassaway depicting a young boy in a blue sailor suit kneeling in front of a young girl in a wh

Transcription

Back — "Hello" Pearl, Rec’d your postal, all O.K. & am "answering" "soon or sooner" as you can see. Mamie & Alda came up yesterday afternoon. Alda & I went to Harve & Mamie stayed with Verge. We stopped a-while & visited with Anne You sure can bet I cer-tainly had a fine time the 4th. I went to Burlington the next evening & to [illegible] [illegible] write soon. with love and violet. for me.

Back of postcard #0093

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: Wever, Iowa, JUN 17 1908
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
  • Publisher: JULIUS BIEN & COMPANY, New York, N.Y.
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~35 miles
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1900s, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Sent From: Iowa, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Iowa, Transportation, Undivided Back (Pre-1907)

Postcard #0091: THE METROPOLITAN, Wever, IA — R. H. / H. R. S to Pearl, June 1908

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Front of postcard #0091: Color postcard depicting a street scene of Second Street looking west in Fort Madison, Iowa. On the right side of the st

Transcription

Front — ] H. R. S.

Back — ] R. H.

Back of postcard #0091

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: Wever, Iowa, JUN 27 1908
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: Undivided Back (Pre-1907)
  • Publisher: Axt Drug Co., Fort Madison, Iowa
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~30 miles

About This Card

Second Street in Fort Madison, looking west past the brick storefronts, shows the commercial center of a city that was in the middle of its industrial prime. The postcard was sent from Wever, Iowa — a small community about twenty miles upriver — and signed “H.R.S.” on the front and “R.H.” on the back. The initials H.R.S. suggest Harvey R. Sights, and if so, this card — sent in June 1908, about two years before Harvey and Pearl’s wedding — is one of several in the collection that track Harvey’s movements around the Lee County area while working on the railroad.

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1900s, Buildings & Architecture, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Nature & Landscapes, Parks & Nature, Sent From: Iowa, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Iowa

Postcard #0090: Julia, Burlington, IA — Julia to Pearl, May 1908

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Front of postcard #0090: Color illustration depicting a river scene at Black Hawk Heights in Fort Madison, Iowa. A brick building with a tall smo

Transcription

Back — Hello Pearle I will write you a few lines to let you know that I been sick had such a cold and sore throat couldnt speak above a whisper. good by will write more some other time. ] Julia.

Back of postcard #0090

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: Burlington, IA., MAY 18 1908
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
  • Publisher: AXT DRUG CO.
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~30 miles

About This Card

Black Hawk Heights, on the Fort Madison riverfront, takes its name from the Sauk leader Black Hawk, who led his band across this stretch of the Mississippi in the spring of 1832 in what became known as the Black Hawk War — the conflict that effectively ended Native American resistance in the upper Mississippi valley. The brick building with the tall smokestack visible in the background suggests the industrial character of Fort Madison’s waterfront by 1908. Julia, writing from Burlington, had just recovered from illness and was catching Pearl up on her news.

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1930s, Buildings & Architecture, General Correspondence, People & Portraits, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: Chicago IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois, Transportation, White Border (1915–1930)

Postcard #1088: Old Jail, Carthage, IL — Grandma to Pearl, August 1938

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Front of postcard #1088: Hand-colored postcard showing the "Old Jail" in Carthage, Illinois. The scene features a two-story stone building with a

Transcription

Back — Seeing lots of old friends at Homecoming going to Picnic to morrow then back to Chicago. Had a big storm here last night. love from Grandma

Back of postcard #1088

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: CARTHAGE, ILL., AUG 8 1938
  • Sent To: Chicago IL
  • Era: White Border (1915–1930)
  • Publisher: NICHOLS’ BOOK STORE / C. T. AMERICAN ART BLUE-SKY (TEICH CO.), Carthage, Illinois / Chicago, Illinois
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~240 miles

About This Card

The Carthage Jail was built in 1839 and became, on June 27, 1844, the site of the murder of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his brother Hyrum. A mob stormed the jail, where Smith was being held on charges of treason, and shot both men. The LDS Church acquired the building in 1903 and has operated it as a historic site ever since. Grandma sent this hand-colored postcard during Homecoming in August 1938, saw lots of old friends, and mentioned a big storm the night before. The jail she photographed or purchased a card of had been standing for nearly a century and had housed the most consequential prisoner in American religious history.

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1940s, Architecture, Buildings & Architecture, General Correspondence, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois, Transportation, Wartime Correspondence, White Border (1915–1930)

Postcard #1087: Stone Inn, Carthage, IL — Love Harve to Pearl, May 1944

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Front of postcard #1087: Real photo postcard (sepia tone) showing the "Stone Inn" in Carthage, Illinois. It is a two-story dark stone building wi

Transcription

Back — Just about time to hit the trail Have seen Docs. Harris & Ed Cutlers W. Nichols. Ran or Marnel & Neal just left Ray & E. Ethel got run over by a car and was in to see Dr. but he was not in they are coming back to morrow to pick up Mr. B. Horace is taking me to Guys to morrow Eve all are comfortable here well [?] but Lizzie is not any to good just now. tell you more when I get home. Love Harve

Back of postcard #1087

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: CARTHAGE, ILL., MAY 3 1944
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: White Border (1915–1930)
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~15 miles
  • Notes: Real Photo Postcard (RPPC). Postmark date (1944) is much later than the typical Divided Back era. Message mentions daughter Marnelle ("Marnel") and mentions an acquaintance, Ethel, being run over by a car.

About This Card

The Stone Inn in Carthage, Illinois was a two-story stone building on or near the town square — one of the older commercial structures in the city, built from the local limestone that defined early Carthage construction before brick became the dominant material. Harvey sent this real photo postcard, signing it “Love Harve.” Harvey had grown up in La Harpe and moved to Carthage when he and Pearl married in October 1910; the Stone Inn was part of the commercial geography of the town he adopted. The building’s stone construction set it apart from the later brick commercial blocks that surrounded it.

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1900s, Architecture, Buildings & Architecture, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Nature & Landscapes, Parks & Nature, Parks & Recreation, Sent From: Iowa, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Iowa

Postcard #0087: Rand Park, Keokuk, IA — Leota to Pearl, October 1909

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Front of postcard #0087: Colored landscape illustration showing Rand Park and Anschutz Road in Keokuk, Iowa, overlooking the Mississippi River. A

Transcription

Back — Leota

Back of postcard #0087

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: KEOKUK, IOWA, OCT 8 1909
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
  • Print Origin: Printed in Germany
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~15 miles

About This Card

Rand Park in Keokuk, Iowa sits on the bluffs above the Mississippi River, looking out over the foot of the Des Moines Rapids — the stretch of river that made Keokuk strategically important for generations. The city was once among the most powerful on the upper Mississippi; Samuel Clemens piloted steamboats past these bluffs in the 1850s, and Keokuk was briefly considered as a possible capital of Iowa. By 1909, when Leota sent this card, Keokuk was still a substantial city, though the completion of the Keokuk Dam in 1913 would transform both the river’s character and the town’s identity.

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1900s, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Religious Buildings, Sent From: Iowa, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Iowa, Transportation

Postcard #1086: Old Methodist Church, Burlington, IA — Pearl to Pearl, July 1909

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Front of postcard #1086: Hand-colored illustration of the Old Methodist Church in Carthage, Illinois. The building is a large orange-brick struct

Transcription

Back — Arrived all ok Roy missed me but we found the place all right Have had a fine time but am all in down & out. Hiram & [illegible] are going to stay here tonight. Saw H.U. D.M. & La Harpe operator was on the train & [illegible] [illegible] on the train & went [?] with me to Dallas Pearle

Back of postcard #1086

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: BURLINGTON, IOWA, JUL 6 1909
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
  • Publisher: Ed. Hoch, Carthage, Illinois
  • Print Origin: Printed in Germany
  • Stamp: 1¢ — Features a profile of Benjamin Franklin.
  • Distance Traveled: ~30 miles
  • Notes: Postmark includes "TRANS. CLK." (Transit Clerk). Mention of a "La Harpe operator" and a trip to "Dallas" (likely Dallas City, Illinois).

About This Card

The Old Methodist Church in Carthage — the earlier building replaced by the large brick structure shown in the linen-era card — represented the congregation’s first permanent home in the city. Carthage was settled in the 1830s and its Protestant congregations organized quickly; the Methodist and Presbyterian churches were among the first institutions the settlers established. Pearl sending this card from Burlington suggests she was traveling and found a card of her own neighborhood church at a store — or that someone mailed it to her while she was away.

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1920s, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Linen (1930–1945), Religious Buildings, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: Chicago IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois, Transportation

Postcard #1085: Methodist Church, Carthage, IL — Pearl to Pearl, March 1921

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Front of postcard #1085: Linen postcard showing the Methodist Church in Carthage, Illinois. The church is a large masonry building with a promine

Transcription

Back — Am at Elva’s till Sat P.M. If you think I had better come home phone me after 7. Marnelle can. Got moms card last night. John D leaves for camp next week. No time for more now. Am sewing for Elva. Go back to Guys [?] Sat then home Sun. P.M. is plan now. Pearle.

Back of postcard #1085

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: Carthage, ILL., MAR 21 [year illegible]
  • Sent To: Chicago IL
  • Era: Linen (1930–1945)
  • Publisher: NICHOLS BOOK STORE, Carthage, Ill.
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~250 miles
  • Notes: Reference to "camp" likely refers to a military camp during WWII. Address includes a postal zone number (23).

About This Card

The Methodist Church in Carthage, Illinois — shown here in a linen-era postcard — was a large brick building with a prominent tower that anchored the residential neighborhood where Pearl lived at 318 N. Fayette Street. Pearl sent this card herself, which suggests she was either sending it to someone who’d asked about the church, or simply documenting the neighborhood she lived in for someone far away. The church building visible here dates from the late nineteenth century and remained the center of the Methodist congregation Pearl would have known throughout her years in Carthage.

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1900s, Buildings & Architecture, General Correspondence, Nature & Landscapes, Parks & Nature, Sent From: Iowa, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Iowa, Transportation, Undivided Back (Pre-1907)

Postcard #0083: Carthage Lake Club House in Burlington, Burlington, IA — Annie to Pearl, June 1907

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Front of postcard #0083: Color illustration depicting the Carthage Lake Club House in Burlington, Iowa, a multi-story building with arched upper

Transcription

Front — Received your card I am at Marie going to help her clean house am pretty tired think I will go home Sun Ans. soon. Annie

Back of postcard #0083

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: Burlington, IA., JUN 14 1907
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: Undivided Back (Pre-1907)
  • Publisher: S. H. KNOX & CO.
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~30 miles
  • Notes: Message written on front instead of back due to undivided back format.
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1900s, Buildings & Architecture, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois

Postcard #0081: The Dike, La Harpe, IL — Elva to Pearl, August 1909

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Front of postcard #0081: Color illustration depicting a dirt road lined with rustic wooden fences on both sides, identified as "The Dike" in Hami

Transcription

Back — 8/16/09 Had a chat with Aunt M. today. Am nearly down and out tonight. Did you hear what a time they had here this morning? Don’t forget the races. Big crowd here every day. I sent you 7 pictures of the park, and did you find one with some fellows on the porch? I stayed all night at the Hotel last night. Going home tomorrow morning. Can you read this With love Elva

Back of postcard #0081

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: La Harpe, Illinois, AUG 16 1909
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
  • Print Origin: Printed in Germany
  • Stamp: 1¢ — Features portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
  • Distance Traveled: ~20 miles
  • Notes: Contains a special "WILD CAT SPRINGS / MAILED / AUG 15 1909 / HAMILTON." circular mailing stamp on the back.
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1900s, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Sent From: Iowa, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Iowa, Transportation, Undivided Back (Pre-1907)

Postcard #0078: Pine Street looking south in Fort Madison, Wever, IA — Violet to Pearl, June 1908

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Front of postcard #0078: Color illustration of Pine Street looking south in Fort Madison, Iowa, featuring a prominent brick building with a conic

Transcription

Front — ] mayme.

Back — ] "Better late than never" but I would have answered sooner if I’d had any cards. I haven’t as pretty a card to send as the one I rec’d from you, for that violet postal was certainly pretty. I liked it fine. Don’t you think all had a fairly good time yesterday afternoon, at least what we done kept us pretty busy. How is the Children’s Day exercises. I’ve got a job today I don’t like very well – helping Mamma pick up cherries. Ans. soon as ever. – Violet.

Back of postcard #0078

Postcard Information

  • Postmark: Wever, Iowa, JUN 8 1908
  • Sent To: Carthage IL
  • Era: Undivided Back (Pre-1907)
  • Publisher: Axt Drug Co., Fort Madison, Iowa
  • Stamp: 1¢
  • Distance Traveled: ~25 miles
  • Notes: Hand-drawn dividing line on back, message written on front margin

About This Card

Pine Street in Fort Madison, looking south from this vantage, shows the kind of small-city commercial vitality that characterized river towns along the upper Mississippi in the early twentieth century. Fort Madison had grown up around an early American fort — the original Fort Madison, the first U.S. military post in what would become Iowa, was destroyed and abandoned in 1813 after repeated Sauk attacks during the War of 1812. The town that took its name later that century had no direct connection to the military installation; it simply kept the name. Five years after Violet sent this card, Walter Sheaffer would open his pen factory nearby, and Pine Street’s commercial character would begin to shift.

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