If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 727

 

 

 

 

 

 Nancy, France

[photos:  Benoit Gaillot]

 

Recently a friend sent me several used postcards from places he visited this year.  This souvenir card features 5 views of the city of Nancy located in the northeastern French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle.  The blurb at the upper left corner on the reverse says:  “Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle – France) Place de la Carrière (vue générale) – Les puces de la Ville Vielle.  Fontaine d’Amphitrite, Place Stanislas – Place de la Carrière et le Palais du Gouverneur – Basilique Saint-Epvre éedifiée au XIXe Siècle.  [English :  “ Place de la Carriere (general view)], The Old Town Flea Market.  Amphitrite Fountain, Stanislas Square, Place de la Carriere and the Govenor’s Palace, Saint-Epvre Basilica built in the 19^th century.”]  The photos are credited to Benoit Gaillot. 

 

1.     At the upper left is the Place de la Carrière or racecourse in English.  During the ducal period of France, 10^th to 15^th centuries, the long square was used for horse racing and as an arena for jousting and tournaments.  It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

2.     The Old Town Flea Market photo shows some examples of wares for sale.  In the background is the Porte de la Craffe, an imposing battlement dating from the 14^th century.

3.     The Amphirite Fountain with its ornate gilded arch

4.     Place Stanislas, a large pedestrian only square.  It was built between 1752 and 1756 on the orders of Stanislas I, former King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, then Duke of Lorraine.  It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5.     Saint-Epvre Basilica was built in the 19^th century and is located in the Old part of Nancy.  This is the third church built on the location.  The first parish here was founded in 1080.

 

Many buildings in the city of Nancy are listed as historical monuments.  The city is also one of Europe’s centers of Art Nouveau.  Nancy is a large university city and is home to one of the main health centers in Europe.  Earliest settlements in the area date to 800 BC and were likely due to iron ore deposits that were easily mined as well as a ford in the river Meurthe.  

 

As always, thank you M for sending the postcard.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_France

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Epvre_Basilica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_Stanislas

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porte_de_la_Craffe  [Note:  there should be a English translation option for this.]

https://frenchmoments.eu/place-de-la-carriere-nancy/

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 726

 

 

 

 

 

Civic Center, Pittsburgh, PA

 

Although this unused Wonday Film Service of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania postcard is titled Civic Center, the photograph also includes the Mellon Institute in the foreground.  The identifying code:  221-D-7 is found at the lower left corner on the reverse.  There is a blurb at the upper left on the reverse:  “Civic Center, Pittsburgh, Pa., showing Mellon Institute in the foreground.  This view shows a part of one of the most costly and impressive civic centers to be found anywhere.  From this point of view, one looks down on universities, libraries, memorials, art galleries, auditoriums, music halls, hospitals, athletic fields—and Carnegie Museum.  Along with all this, magnificient churches, theaters, and hotels.”  Some damage to the card can be detected on the photo at the lower right. 

 

The Civic Center includes a group of buildings.  It is likely this card was produced before the domed Civic Arena was built in 1961.  Edgar J. Kaufmann, wealthy businessman and philanthropist, financed the Pittsburg Light Opera Company and donated $1.5 million to build the arena.  The Civic Arena was used for concerts, circus performances, political and religious rallies, roller derbies, hockey, basketball, fish tournament weigh-ins, pro tennis, boxing, wrestling, lacrosse, football, ice skating championships, kennel shows, and soccer.   That structure was demolished in 2012 and the space was converted for use as public parking.  In March 2025 ground was broken for a new arena, Citizens Live at the Wylie, with a projected opening date in mid 2026. 

 

The Mellon Institute of Industrial Research building is the white building with columns seen in the foreground.  It was built in 1937 and added to the National Register of History Places in 1983.  It was merged with the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1967 to form Carnegie Mellon University.  After it ceased to exist as a distinct institution, the building bearing the name remains at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bellefield Avenue in the city’s university district. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_Arena_(Pittsburgh)

https://en.wikipedia/wiki/Mellon_Institute_of_Industrial_Research

https://en.wikipedia/wiki/Edgar_J._Kaufmann

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 725

 

 

 

 

 

Lewis and Clark Cavern, Montana “Swiss Village”

 

This unused postcard features an area within the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, found in Jefferson County, Montana.  The card was published by L.W, Link, of Caldwell, Montana and produced by Mike Roberts Color Productions, of Berkeley, California.  The identifier, C15820 is at the lower left corner on the reverse.  The blurb, bound at the upper left on the reverse, says:  “Lewis and Clark Cavern, Montana – Swiss Village—A small housing development fashioned by nature in the Paradise Room.  This is the largest room in the cavern and is abundantly supplied with a solid array of imaginary shapes.”  T.W. Link”

 

The park has two visitor centers, 10 miles of hiking trails, a campground and these limestone caverns.  In 2018 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is a public recreation and nature preservation area and covers 3,000 acres or 1,200 ha. 

 

Even though there is no documented evidence of human presence in the cave before the late 1800s, these caverns may have been familiar to Native Americans.  The park is named after explorers, Lewis and Clark, who camped near the caverns in 1805.  It wasn’t until 1898 that a local rancher, Tom Williams, who had seen them in 1892, finally explored the caverns with some friends.  Tours of the cave began around 1900. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Caverns

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 724

 

 

 

 

 

Marquette Park Pavilion, Gary, Indiana

 

This used, divided back, postcard features a color photograph of the Marquette Park Pavilion.  The card was made by Dexter Press Inc. of West Nyak, New York and published by Harvey’s Studio, Valparaisa, Indiana.  The code 5601-B appears at the lower left corner on the reverse.  Even though the card has writing on it, it was not mailed, does not have a dated cancelation mark, and hence dating the card depends on the years Dexter Press, Inc. and Harvey’s Studio were in operation. 

 

Thomas Dexter’s first print shop was opened in 1920in Park Ridge, New Jersey.  By the 1930s he was producing postcards.  In 1952 the company had moved to West Nyak, New York, where this card is identified as being produced.   At the time of the move the company was producing natural color photochrome images.  The estimated date for this particular card is sometime between 1952 and 1972.  The company was sold to Consolidated Foods in 1972 and later merged with MWM Color Press in 1977.  The New York plant was closed in 1984 and moved to Aurora Missouri where it now prints religious material under MWM Dexter. 

 

Marquette Park was originally named Lake Front Park.  It is a city park surrounded by the Indiana Dunes National Park.  The Pavilion was designed by George W. Maher, architect, of Maher and Sons, and built by the construction company Max and Sons [Maximillian Dubois] between 1923 and 1924.  The park includes another building on the property called the Aquatorium.  It was restored as a museum honoring Octave Chanute, the father of flight.  The Pavilion was renovated in 1966, again in the mid-1990s, and most recently around 2008.  The building is a venue for various events from weddings to civic functions. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://londonpostcardsca.wordpress.com/2017/12/22/international-publishers-dexter-press-pearl-river%E2%80%8B-n-y/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Dunes_National_Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquette_Park_(Gary)

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 723

 

 

 

 

 

San Gabriel Mission, California

 

Pacific Novelty Co. of San Francisco, California produced this unused souvenir postcard found in a shoe box jumble at a local antique mall.  Printed at the bottom on the front of the card is: “No. 149 – The Steps at San Gabriel Mission, California.  Founded in 1771.”  This would be a typical card purchased when visiting a site such as this mission.  No other credits or information is available on the divided back of the card. 

 

San Gabriel Mission is a historic landmark.  The Spanish Empire founded the mission on the Nativity of Mary, 8 September 1771.  It was the fourth of what became 21 Spanish missions in California.  Named after the Archangel Gabriel it is sometimes referred to as the “Godmother of the Pueblo of Los Angeles."  Antonio Cruzado, who was a Franciscan missionary in California, designed the building that has capped buttresses and tall narrow windows.  A large stone cross can be found in the center of the Campo Santo (cemetery).  In addition to designing the mission building Cruzado is credited with planting the first California orange grove in 1804.  

 

The steps or stairway indicated on the card lead to the choir loft.  The bell wall next to the stairway was built after the original bell structure toppled during the 1812 San Juan Capistrano earthquake.  The newer tower is larger and has six bells.  

 

One legend concerning the founding of the mission states that when confronted by a large group of native Tongva people who were intent on driving away the strangers, one of the priests laid a painting of “Our Lady of Sorrows” on the ground for all the see.  The natives were so moved by the beauty of the picture that they made peace with the missionaries.  Today the 300-year-old painting hangs in front and slightly to the left of the old high altar in the Mission’s sanctuary.  It is not known how many of the native people embraced Catholicism. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Gabriel_Arc%C3%A1ngel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Cruzado

https://angelusnews.com/local/la-catholics/the-legend-of-la-dolorosa-finds-new-life-in-the-ruins-of-mission-san-gabriel/

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 722

 

 

 

 

 

Source of the Dôme, Abrest, France

 

Featured on this unused Editions du Lys postcard is one of two hot springs located a few meters apart in the commune of Abrest, France.  A third spring was also found but is not as well known. The card has “V 117 VICHY (Allier), Source du Dôme” at the upper left corner on the reverse.  “Couleurs Naturelles” is printed on the center line on the reverse, with the printer’s identification perpendicular to the center line.

 

Drilling for a spring in 1898, Francisque David, went down 159 meters or about 521 feet to find what has become known as the Dôme thermal spring.  The extremely hot waters gush out at 150 degrees F or 65.4 degrees C.  Originally the water was used for baths in a first-class Vichy spa resort facility, the waters were later used as a drink and bottled nearby, still later the water was used in the production of mud for thermal baths.  Due to electrically charged clay particles, the mud is reputed to treat rheumatism and digestive system ailments.  Two years after he drilled for the Dôme, David, again drilled to create the Lys and Cornélie springs.  These three springs were integrated into the State domain in 1927.  The Dôme and Lys springs have been listed as Historic Monuments since 2022. 

 

The Dôme and Lys springs were modified for ease in access.  The waters have been channeled into a basin.  As can be seen on the card the stone basin is completely covered in deposits of calcium carbonate.  The orange iron oxide and green micro-algae form a colorful crust on the basin.  There is a strong steam with the odor of sulfur.  The Dôme is in a kiosk shelter but the Lys is uncovered. 

 

To help get an idea of where these springs are located, the Allier River is a tributary of the Loire River.  Abrest is a small community in the Vichy Auvergne countryside.  Vichy is a city in central France located about 3 km or 1.9 miles north of Abrest. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sources_du_D%C3%B4me_et_du_Lys  [there is an English translation option]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vichy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allier_(river)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrest

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 721

 

 

 

 

 

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland

 

 

Printed by James Fleming & Co., of Callander, Scotland, this unused postcard features a photograph from the interior of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum housed in Stirling Castle, Scotland.  The card has a divided back with the title located on the reverse at the lower left corner.  No other credits are found on the card.

 

Counties in the United Kingdom that have organized regimental armies have museums dedicated to the history of specific army regiments.  Yeomanry, Militia, and Volunteer regiments also have museums or exhibition spaces.  Many are open to the public, some are open by appointment only. 

 

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, also known as Princess Louise’s, was created under the Childers Reforms in 1881 and is a light infantry company.  In 2006, as part of the restructuring of the British Army’s infantry, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were assimilated with the Royal Scots, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, the Roy Highland Fusiliers, the Black Watch, and the Highlanders to form the seven-battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.  Defense cuts in 2012 reduced it to a single light infantry company called Balaklava Company, Royal Regiment of Scotland.  

 

 

It was fun to find this old picture of Bopa aka FarFar’s father, “Mac” who served a mission in the Highlands of Scotland when he was about 20 years of age.  While he was there, he visited the town of Thurso where his parents had lived before emigrating.  No bag pipes, here he and a companion are dressed in the traditional kilt, bonnet, and sporran, while the third member is wearing a more traditional looking dress suit.  The picture taken around 1913 or 1914.

 

 

 "Mac" McKay in the center with two companions, ca 1913-1914

 

 

The black & white photo does not let us see if the kilts are in the MacKay plaid.  Standing in the middle, Grandpa McKay was almost 6 feet 4 inches tall, which would make it easy to pick him out even if we did not have other pictures of him to be sure.  Note the Argyll knee socks.  

 

  

 

MacKay plaid

 

 

The Regimental Museum for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is housed in Stirling Castle.  That castle was built in the 1490s and was known as the “King’s House,” or the “King’s Old Buildilng,” because it was thought to have been the private residence of King James IV.  The castle sits atop a crag giving it a strong defensive position.  The castle is considered one of the largest and most historically and architecturally important castles in Scotland.  This castle has withstood at least eight sieges including one in 1746 when Bonnie Prince Charlie tried unsuccessfully to take it.  Today the castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a tourist attraction managed by Historic Environment Scotland. 

 

The grounds are used as an open-air concert venue.  Like some other castles, Stirling Castle has ghost lore.  A maid servant to Queen Mary, called the Green Lady, has been sighted by residents of visitors.  She is thought be a warning or omen of impending danger.   There is a fee to tour the castle and the museum.  The entry ticket fee to tour the castle incudes entrance to the museum.  Public donations is the main source of support and maintenance.  The governing body is the charitable trust:  The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Trust. 

 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regimental_museum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyll_and_Sutherland_Highlanders

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_Castle