golden-age - When My Tan Wears Out

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

Postcard #0063: stone Government Building in Quincy, Quincy, IL — Dove to Pearl, August 1907

June 12, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0063: Black and white illustration of the stone Government Building in Quincy, Illinois, featuring prominent arched doorways o

Transcription

Front — Dove.

Postcard Information

Postmark: Quincy, ILL., AUG 23 1907
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: J. Murray Jordan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~35 miles

About This Card

The Government Building on Maine Street in Quincy — serving as both post office and federal courthouse — was completed in 1888 and represented one of the most substantial federal investments in the region. Quincy’s position on the Mississippi River had made it an important commercial center since the 1840s, but by 1907 the railroads had long since reorganized traffic patterns and the city’s relative importance had begun to decline.

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.

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

Postcard #0061: Quincy High School, Quincy, IL — M W to Pearl, November 1909

June 10, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0061: Color postcard illustration depicting the exterior of Quincy High School, a large multi-story red brick building with a

Transcription

Back — M W

Postcard Information

Postmark: Quincy, Ill., NOV 17 09
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: Court House Pharmacy, Quincy, Illinois
Print Origin: Printed in Germany
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~35 miles

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

Postcard #0060: Highland Park, Quincy, IL — Ada to Pearl, September 1909

June 9, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0060: Color postcard showing a scenic view of Highland Park in Quincy, Illinois. Lush green trees and grassy banks are reflect

Transcription

Back — 918 1/2 Bdwy, Quincy Ill Hello Noodles: you will be surprised to get this card but why shouldn’t you be. Just see who it is from. I kid you ought to be down here. I have been running all after noon. Well Dearie call me up some time, Ada,

Postcard Information

Postmark: Quincy, Ill., SEP 24 1909
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: S. H. KNOX & CO.
Print Origin: Printed in America
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~35 miles

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

Postcard #0059: Emma Carrol, Quincy, IL — Emma C to Pearl, May 1909

June 8, 2026 No Comments

Front of postcard #0059: Colored photo-postcard showing the grand exterior of the Adams County Court House in Quincy, Illinois, featuring a large

Transcription

Front — ] Emma Carrol ] having lulu [?] time With [?] Love Emma C.

Postcard Information

Postmark: QUINCY, ILL., MAY 19 09
Sent To: Carthage IL
Era: Golden Age (1907–1915)
Publisher: C. U. Williams, Photœtte, Bloomington, Illinois
Stamp: 1¢
Distance Traveled: ~40 miles

About This Card

The Adams County Courthouse in Quincy, Illinois was completed in 1885 in a Romanesque Revival style, replacing an earlier structure. Quincy was one of the more significant cities on the upper Mississippi in the 19th century — large enough to host the sixth Lincoln-Douglas debate in October 1858, drawing an estimated crowd of twelve thousand people to Washington Park, a few blocks from the courthouse. Emma Carroll was writing from a city with a serious civic tradition, even if her note was brief.