When My Tan Wears Out - Page 5 of 12 - An archive of over 1,100 early 20th-century postcards from one family. One new postcard every day.

1900s, General Correspondence, Golden Age, People & Portraits, Sent From: Unknown, Sent To: Carthage, IL, Sights Collection, Subject: No Specific Location

Postcard #0092: Lomax — W. J. Howell to Pearl, July 1909

July 23, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0092: Illustration of a large yellow man-in-the-moon shining a beam of light onto a couple sitting together on the ground. The

Transcription

Back — ] W. J. Howell Lomax Ill Hello Pearl. How is everybody? I was over to Burlington the 4th but had a dandy time. say if you are over to La Harpe this Fall come over and see us. I should say so. I look for you to come over sure this Fall & see us. hope to see you soon. A good many of the Lomax folks are down in Okla. ] W. K. D.

Postcard Information

Postmark: Lomax, JUL 13 1909
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: The York Music Co. / De Witt C. Wheeler, New York City, New York
Print Origin: Printed in Germany
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~25 miles

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, 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

July 21, 2026 No Comments

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.

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.

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

Postcard #0089: Keokuk, IA — M. S. W. C to Pearl, December 1908

July 20, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0089: Colored postcard depicting a road sweeping past trees toward the Mississippi River and Government Canal under a soft yel

Transcription

Back — ] Here is one of the cards I told you about for the evening of the 31 of Oct. wishing you many Happy Returns, — M. S. W. C. ] m. s. w. c.

Postcard Information

Postmark: Keokuk, Iowa, DEC 3 1908
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: Western Mercantile Co.
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles

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

July 19, 2026 No Comments

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

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.

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

July 18, 2026 No Comments

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

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.

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

Postcard #0088: Rand Park — Jean to Pearl, 1909

July 17, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0088: Color illustration of Rand Park in Keokuk, Iowa, featuring a classical stone monopteros (circular pavilion) surrounded b

Transcription

Back — Jean

Postcard Information

Postmark: 1909 [month and day illegible]
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Stamp: 1¢ — Features portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
Distance Traveled: Undetermined

About This Card

The stone circular colonnade — a monopteros — at Rand Park in Keokuk is visible from some distance on the bluffs above the Mississippi. Rand Park was named for a Keokuk family whose philanthropic gifts developed the grounds in the late 19th century. The park’s elevated position made it a natural viewpoint: on a clear day, the river curves toward the Illinois shore and the distant bluffs of Missouri are visible to the southwest. Jean, writing in 1909, sent this card signed just with her name.

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

July 16, 2026 No Comments

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

Transcription

Back — Leota

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.

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

Postcard #0086: Chief Keokuk’s Monument, Keokuk, IA — Stuart Hoover to Pearl, January 1908

July 15, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0086: Sepia-toned photograph showing Chief Keokuk's Monument, a large stone structure situated in a park with lawns, pathways,

Transcription

Back — Hello Kid Say but this is a fancy postal Put this up in garrett so no one can see it Your Friend Stuart Hoover 719 Exc St [?] Keokuk Iowa

Postcard Information

Postmark: Keokuk, Iowa, JAN 28 1908
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: PEARSON-ULLBERG CO., MINNEAPOLIS
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~15 miles

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

Postcard #0085: Burlington, IA — Julia / Mrs. Chesnut to Pearl, September 1908

July 14, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0085: Color illustration of the Corse Statue (an equestrian monument on a tall stone pedestal) located in Crapo Park, Burlingt

Transcription

Front — Julia.

Back — Mrs. Chesnut.

Postcard Information

Postmark: Burlington, IA, SEP 14 1908
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Undivided Back (Pre-1907)
Publisher: S. H. KNOX & CO.
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~30 miles

About This Card

The Corse Statue in Burlington, Iowa commemorates Brigadier General John Murray Corse, a Burlington native who commanded troops at the Battle of Allatoona in 1864 and received the famous signal “Hold the Fort” from Sherman. He held it. The equestrian monument stands near the northern entrance to Crapo Park. Julia sent this card in September 1908 and signed only her first name on the front — “Julia.” — with a separate signature on the back identifying herself as Mrs. Chesnut.

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

Postcard #0084: Crapo Park, Burlington, IA — A C to Pearl, July 1907

July 13, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0084: Illustrated postcard showing an elevated, wide scenic view of Crapo Park in Burlington, Iowa. Features lush green lawns,

Transcription

Front — Did you ever see this place? Dear Pearl: Thanks for your card received so long ago Why don’t you write? A C.

Postcard Information

Postmark: Burlington, IA., JUL 27 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

About This Card

Crapo Park in Burlington, Iowa was donated to the city by the family of Michigan Governor Henry Howland Crapo in the 1890s, developed from land along the bluffs above the Mississippi. By the time A.C. sent this card in July 1907, Crapo Park was already considered one of the finest municipal parks on the upper Mississippi — a winding drive through mature trees above the river, with pavilions, a small zoo, and Black Hawk Spring, a natural spring with a storied Sauk history. Burlington had been a prosperous railroad and manufacturing city since the Civil War, and the park was an expression of that prosperity.

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, 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

July 10, 2026 No Comments

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

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.