City & Street Scenes - When My Tan Wears Out

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

Postcard #1101: panoramic view of Dallas City, Dallas City, IL — V.H to Pearl, July 1909

September 5, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #1101: Black and white photograph showing a panoramic view of Dallas City, Illinois, from an elevated position on a hill. In th

Transcription

Back — Have a good time for me too. ] Do not depend on me to be in B—— as cir-cumstances may not permit but will let you know if ( I can come ) Arrived in Dallas 10,30 but did not get home until 11 o’clock, it is still very damp here I guess I will not come to B. today am so sleepy V.H.

Postcard Information

Postmark: DALLAS CITY, ILL., JUL 6 1909
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles

About This Card

This panoramic view of Dallas City, Illinois from an elevated position shows the full extent of the town along the Mississippi — its relationship to the river, the flat bottomland, and the bluffs that rise behind it. V.H. sent this card from Dallas City. The cluster of Dallas City real photo postcards in the collection (cards 1095–1101) represents an unusual level of documentary coverage for a single small town — someone in Dallas City, or visiting it, was systematically photographing and distributing images of the community.

1900s, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Nature & Landscapes, Parks & Nature, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois, Transportation

Postcard #1100: DALLAS., Dallas City, IL — July 1909

August 30, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #1100: Sepia-toned bird's eye view photograph of Dallas City, Illinois. A steam locomotive pulling several passenger cars moves

Transcription

Back — ] I was going to be gone? suppose [illegible] will let you know when I should be ready if I should decide. Dear Friend, — Was talking to W.B. today she said for me to let you know. If you can be at boat landing Sun. it may be I will be there that is if I am at home. ] Don’t depend on me to much, as I can not say yet, but I will do all I can to be there but if I should not I will give a good explanation later on.

Postcard Information

Postmark: DALLAS CITY, ILL., JUL 9 1909
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: C. U. WILLIAMS, Bloomington, ILL.
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles
Notes: Message written on front instead of back, message written over header text on back.

About This Card

This bird’s-eye view of Dallas City shows a steam locomotive pulling freight cars through the town, with the Mississippi River visible in the background and the town’s commercial district in the foreground. Dallas City had a small depot on the CB&Q line — Harvey’s railroad — and the presence of a locomotive pulling through the frame suggests the card was made from a point above the tracks. The combination of the river, the railroad, and the town grid captures exactly the infrastructure of a Mississippi valley community that Pearl and Harvey both knew.

1900s, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Nature & Landscapes, Parks & Nature, Parks & Recreation, Religious Buildings, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois, Transportation

Postcard #1099: Dallas City, IL — H. S. S to Pearl, July 1909

August 29, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #1099: A sepia-toned real photo postcard showing an elevated bird's eye view of Dallas City, Illinois. The scene includes house

Transcription

Back — Rec’d your card was glad to hear from you again – you stayed up longer than you intended to did you not was you mad at me for doing the way I did, but really I could not help it. H. S. S.

Postcard Information

Postmark: DALLAS CITY, ILL., JUL 13 1909
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: C. U. WILLIAMS, BLOOMINGTON, ILL.
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles

About This Card

This bird’s-eye view of Dallas City, Illinois was sent by H.S.S. — initials that match Harvey Sarchet Sights. If this is Harvey, he was standing on a high point above the river town, looking down at its orderly grid of streets and the Mississippi beyond, and sending a card home. Dallas City is in Hancock County, the same county as Carthage and La Harpe; Harvey would have known the town well. The combination of H.S.S. initials and Hancock County geography makes a strong circumstantial case for Harvey as sender.

1900s, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, Golden Age, Romance & Courtship, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: La Harpe, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois, Transportation

Postcard #1098: The Corner Grocery, La Harpe, IL — September 1908

August 23, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #1098: Sepia-toned real photo postcard of a wide dirt street in a small town. A single electric light bulb is suspended by wire

Transcription

Back — Here is my application for the telephone work. 8061 ???

Postcard Information

Postmark: LA HARPE, ILL., SEP 27 1908
Sent To: La Harpe IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: Local mail
Notes: Local mail; Reference to "telephone work"; The number "8061 ???" appears to be a later addition in pencil.

1900s, Architecture, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Golden Age, People & Portraits, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois

Postcard #1097: A. KIRBY REAL ESTATE, Dallas, IL — S.H to Pearl, July 1909

August 22, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #1097: Sepia-tone photograph of the First National Bank in Dallas City, Illinois. The three-story brick building features arche

Transcription

Back — Rec’d your card I am very sorry that you can not go to B. I had a fine trip in view for a crowd of four, H.B. and his girl and you and I, see. [sideways in blue ink:] Place marked X is Telephone office. Views of Dallas continued. Ever, S.H.

Postcard Information

Postmark: DALLAS, ILL., JUL 3 1909
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles
Notes: Message written in two colors of ink; handwritten "X" on front image marks the telephone office mentioned in the message.

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

Postcard #1096: L.O. MYERS, Dallas City, IL — H to Pearl, June 1909

August 16, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #1096: A real photo postcard showing a street view of Oak Street in Dallas City, Illinois. Brick buildings line both sides of t

Transcription

Back — Dallas Ills. 22-09 Dear friend. As I promised, I will send you a view of Dallas. As Ever yours, H.

Postcard Information

Postmark: DALLAS CITY, ILL., JUN 22 1909
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles

About This Card

Oak Street in Dallas City, Illinois shows the commercial core of a small river town — brick storefronts, wooden awnings, a quiet main street that served the farm families of Hancock County’s southern tier. Dallas City was connected to Carthage by road and to the wider world by the Mississippi River; its economy depended on both. H. sent this card from Dallas City. The street is empty in the image, which may indicate it was taken on a Sunday or early morning when commerce hadn’t yet begun.

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

Postcard #0106: CITY POUND, Keokuk, IA — Betty to Pearl, November 1909

August 12, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0106: Illustration of a sad, fluffy white dog looking through a diamond-patterned wire mesh cage. The words "CITY POUND" are f

Transcription

Back — under Otis in the Philipines Is this long distance? Betty

Postcard Information

Postmark: Keokuk, Iowa, NOV 27 1909
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: Vincent V. Colby, Denver, Colo.
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles

1910s, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Nature & Landscapes, Parks & Nature, Parks & Recreation, People & Portraits, Sent From: Illinois, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Illinois, Transportation

Postcard #1093: black and white photograph of North Side Square in Carthage, Carthage, IL — Berk to Pearl, August 1912

August 8, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #1093: A black and white photograph of North Side Square in Carthage, Illinois. The scene shows a wide dirt street with several

Transcription

Back — Lyd & I will be down to-night. You need not meet us as we will come on our wagon. Will bring fruit. Has Marg [?] got her paper. Berk.

Postcard Information

Postmark: CARTHAGE, ILL., AUG 17 1912
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles

About This Card

North Side Square in Carthage, Illinois shows the commercial district that surrounded the Hancock County Courthouse — the shops, banks, and professional offices that a county seat of Carthage’s size supported in the early twentieth century. Berk sent this real photo postcard from Carthage, the image capturing a specific moment in the square’s life: specific storefronts, specific automobiles at the curb, a specific Saturday afternoon. Carthage was Pearl’s town; she knew every business on this square.

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

July 22, 2026 No Comments

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.

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.

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

July 12, 2026 No Comments

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

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.

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

July 11, 2026 No Comments

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.

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.

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

July 3, 2026 No Comments

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.

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.

1920s, Architecture, Buildings & Architecture, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, People & Portraits, Religious Buildings, Sent From: Iowa, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: Iowa, Transportation, White Border (1915–1930)

Postcard #0077: Lee County Court House, Fort Madison, IA — Caroline to Pearl, October 1920

July 2, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0077: Colorized postcard depicting the Lee County Court House in Fort Madison, Iowa, featuring its prominent white columns. Ba

Transcription

Back — Hello Pearl Received you card and thought I would ans. it. I went to the Ball game Sunday and had a fine time I had crowd of four of folkes here Sunday night and had a fine time and wish you was here to [?] as ever Caroline [illegible] ] Caroline.

Postcard Information

Postmark: Fort Madison, Iowa, OCT 20 [illegible]
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: White Border (1915–1930)
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~25 miles

About This Card

The Lee County Courthouse in Fort Madison stands on a prominent corner downtown, its white columns visible for some distance along the approaches from the river. Fort Madison sits on a sharp bend of the Mississippi, and the view from the courthouse steps takes in a wide sweep of water. Caroline, writing from Fort Madison in autumn, doesn’t mention the courthouse — she’s writing about a ball game and promising to answer Pearl’s card. The building is background, not subject.

1900s, City & Street Scenes, General Correspondence, Golden Age, Nature & Landscapes, Parks & Nature, Parks & Recreation, Sent From: Unknown, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: No Specific Location, Transportation

Postcard #0062: Washington Park, Quincy — Allie to Pearl, August 1908

June 11, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0062: A colorized postcard depicting Washington Park in downtown Quincy, Illinois, featuring a spacious green lawn shaded by m

Transcription

Back — We were good girls and went to S. S. this morning. The girl student from India is in our class. We have only two blocks to go to church. Saw Roy Coleman. Haven’t seen Wade. Allie.

Postcard Information

Postmark: QUINCY, NOT VISIBLE, AUG 31 1908
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: S. H. Knox & Co. / T. C. Co. (Curt Teich), Quincy, Illinois / Chicago, Illinois
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~35 miles

About This Card

Washington Park in downtown Quincy, Illinois is where the sixth Lincoln-Douglas debate was held on October 13, 1858. An estimated 12,000 people gathered to hear Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas argue over slavery and the future of the Union — the largest crowd of any of the seven debates. Illinois voters returned Douglas to the Senate that November, but Lincoln won the Republican nomination for president two years later. The park has marked the debate site ever since.