The Flying Squadron, Springfield, Massachusetts

In 1906, Springfield received the first fire apparatus built by the Knox Automobile Company that was located in Springfield. By 1909, the department had 5 Knox units in operation. The photograph that was used for this postcard shows 2 chemical and hose cars operated by Squads A and B and 2 cars used by the chief and his assistant. I found this information in the book “Images of America: Springfield Firefighting” by Bert D. Johanson and Nancy B. Johanson; Assisted by Fred Rodriguez.

The first modern and “state-of-the-art” fire engine was built in 1906 by Knox Automobile Company in Springfield, Massachusetts who later became famous for its fire trucks.

This card was printed in Germany and published by the Springfield News Company circa 1909 under the name "Poly Chrome". Their style has been described as "colors so bright and so flat that they almost resemble screen-prints." 

Business District, Santa Monica, California

This view is looking east from the intersection of 2nd Street and Santa Monica Blvd, For those of you who know downtown Santa Monica, you can see the marque of the Majestic Theater on the right. This card is from the M. Kashower Co. who published cards from 1914-1934. This non-postally used card looks to be circa the mid 1920's

Running the Rapids, Ausable Chasm, New York

 

Ausable Chasm is a sandstone gorge tourist attraction near Keeseville, New York. The Ausable River runs through it, which then empties into Lake Champlain. You gotta love the hats, ties and dresses worn for the river ride!

The catalog number on this Detroit "Phostint" postcard dates it as being published between 1909-1910.

Long Beach, California Earthquake - 1933

The Long Beach earthquake of 1933 took place on March 10, 1933 with a magnitude of 6.4, causing widespread damage to buildings throughout Southern California. An estimated fifty million dollars' worth of property damage resulted, and 120 lives were lost. Many of these fatalities occurred as people ran out of buildings and were hit by falling debris. 

The earthquake highlighted the need for earthquake-resistant design for structures in California. So many school buildings were damaged, with more than 230 school buildings that either were destroyed, suffered major damage, or were judged unsafe to occupy, that the Field Act was passed by the California State Legislature on April 10, 1933. The Field Act mandated that school buildings must be earthquake-resistant. If the earthquake had occurred during school hours, the death toll would have been much higher.

Greetings from Fort Devens, Massachusetts

Four linen postcards of Fort Devens, Massachusetts from Tichnor Bros. of Boston

New Year Greetings - 1910

This New Years card has the unusual feature of a 12-month calendar stitched to it.

Blessings Bright

Postmarked 1907, this Tucks "Yuletide Series" postcard features a short poem from H.M. Burnside who wrote many children's books and poems in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.