If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 427

Powder Box Church, Jerome, Arizona, ca 1985

[photo:  Rollie Houck]

Sabino Gonzales built the Powder Box Church in Jerome, Arizona between 1939 and 1941.  Rollie Houck took the photograph on the postcard distributed by Burnmeister Enterprises of Prescott, Arizona.  The card has ICS-108457 on the reverse at the bottom center.  December 18, 1985 has been inked in at the lower left corner on the reverse; however, the card does not have a message or stamp.  There is a short blub at the upper right on the reverse of the card explaining how the church was built.

Mining of copper, gold, silver and other metals in the late 19th century was the main reason for development of Jerome.  When the ore deposits dwindled the population also dropped.  Tourism and retail sales saved the town from completely shutting down.  It became a National Historic Landmark in 1967.  Many of the mineworkers were Mexican.  At that time Mexicans were not permitted to enter Anglo churches so Sabino Gonzales built a church for them using stucco, wire mesh and disassembled blasting power boxes from the local mines.

The church has now become a private residence and can only be viewed from a distance.  The back of the former church can be seen from the front of the Douglas Mansion at Jerome Historic Park.

Rollie Houck owned and operated a camera shop in Sedona, Arizona beginning in 1961.  The shop has been sold twice since he had it.  He published several photo books with Arizona images.  There is a plaque honoring him in the shop today.  

For additional information, see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Arizona
http://www.city-data.com/articles/Powder-Box-Church-Jerome-AZ-a-church.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31253-d126887-r175504758-Powder_Box_Church-Jerome_Arizona.html
https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=94834

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 426

 American Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

[photo:  James T. Jones]

This unused Lantern Press postcard has the image  #33703 with a photograph of a handsome Bobcat in a tree by James T. Jones.  The card was purchased at the Verlot Ranger Station.  I confess to be partial to felines in general so it should not be a surprise that this card caught my eye. 

Bobcats are found throughout North America and are medium sized, ranging from 14 to 40 lbs. or between 6.4 to 18.3 kg, and stand between 12 and 24 inches or 30 to 60 cm at the shoulders.  As a comparison, my house cat weighs about 12 lbs. (5.4 kg) and stands approximately 11 inches  (27 cm) tall at the shoulder.  As the picture shows, the bobcat has a gray to brown coat with spots, tufted ears, a whiskered face and yellow eyes with black pupils.  Like many wild animals the coloring helps the cat blend in with its surroundings.  Not visible in the picture is the very short tail.  Unlike some other animals that are born with spots that they lose or those that acquire spots as they get older, the bobcat kittens have spotted fur when they are born and do not lose the spots.  Bobcats are identified as Lynx rufus.   Although I know they are there in the woods when we are hiking, we have never seen one in the wild.  

The bobcats we have here in the Pacific Northwest have a territory that spans from northwestern California to southwestern British Columbia, Canada.  Their ancestors are thought to have evolved from the Eurasian lynx that crossed the Bering Land Bridge into North America perhaps as much as more than 2 million years ago.  These early cats evolved into the modern bobcat about 20,000 years ago. 

When prey is abundant the bobcat will eat often but it can go for long periods without food.  Typically it prefers to hunt rabbits, hares, chickens, geese, other birds, small rodents, and even deer depending on the season and the location.  They are normally most active during twilight until about midnight and also in the early morning hours around dawn and shortly thereafter.  They are territorial and mostly solitary.  They can swim but do so out of necessity not choice.  They are excellent climbers, have a good sense of smell, and sharp hearing and vision.

Bobcats are adaptable and resilient.  They prefers woodlands but do not depend exclusively on the deep forest.  Unfortunately, it is hunted for its fur and as trophies, therefore, in some areas the numbers are declining.  The gestation period is between 60 and 70 days with normally 2 to 4 kittens in a litter born in April or May.  Sometimes the female will have a second litter as late as September.  

For additional information, see:

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

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 425

Mini Land, Legoland, Billund, Jutland, Denmark

My kids loved Legos from the time they were small and playing with Duplo sized bricks to when they were older teens creating fantastic, huge, amazing things with or without instructions.  In 1982 we had the opportunity to visit cousins in Scandinavia and added a special stop at Legoland in Billund, Denmark.  Today’s postcards show two sections of the park.   Legoland A/S Produktion, Grønlund, “Top Card,” distributed the postcards.  The card above has LB 115 at the center bottom on the reverse.  The picture, from Mini Land, shows a Lego construction of Nyhavn, Kopenhagen in miniature.  For size comparison, note the people at the upper left. 

The park is located near the original Lego factory and the Billund Airport.  Since it opened in 1968 over 50 million people have visited with about 2 million guests visiting annually in recent years.   Even before the park opened the Lego factory was attracting about 20,000 visitors a year.  Legoland was originally built to promote the toy business.  Today there are several other Legolands in other parts of the world including here in the United States with one in California and another in Florida.  The company made wooden toys and added plastic toys in 1949.  The park has grown from 14 acres (5.7 ha) to over 45 acres (18 ha) and is divided into themed areas.  

 Mount Rushmore constructed of Legos

Lego cars for kids to drive

Towns reconstructed in miniature using Legos

Rides like this one on a track especially for younger children

It is the third most visited attraction in Denmark.  Like most amusement parks there are rides ranging from roller coasters, boats, trains and cars to things specifically for younger children.  There are also entertainment shows and special events.  

The observation tower, Legoland

The second card, seen above, has LB 118 in the center bottom of the reverse.  It is also a Legloland A/S/ Produktion Gronlund “Top Card.”  Aerial views of the park can be seen from the tower.  As clever advertising, both cards have raised Lego buttons along the borders.

While we were there we purchased a book that contained pictures and information about how the bricks are made, the designs, and how the many displayed were created and built.  It shows how the liquid plastic is poured into molds for the different shapes and sizes of bricks, connecting pieces, heads and body parts for mini-figures. 

For additional information, see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legloland_Billund_Resort
Den store LEGO bog, in Danish, published by Lego System A/S, Billund

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 424

Abbotsford, near Galashiels, Scotland

The three postcards shared this week are views of Abbotsford, the home of the historical novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott.  All three cards were among those sent by K & J.  The card above is a DRG [J. Arthur Dixon] printing with the code:  L6/SP. 3949.  No photographer is named.  It shows the house from the garden and dates from the 1960s.  

Abbotsford, near Melrose, Scotland

The second card in the group, shown above, is a Jarrold & Sons Ltd., Norwich has the code:  CKABFD 1 and also dates from the 1960s.  No photographer credits.

Located in the Scottish Borders on the bank of the River Tweed the house has a gothic and Scottish Baronial architectural style.  As the pictures show, the manor resembles a castle in miniature with towers and imitation battlements.  Originally the estate was a small farm of about 100 acres called Cartleyhole, nicknamed Clarty Hole.  Scott purchased the farm when the lease expired in 1811 and built a small villa that he named Abbotsford for a nearby ford over the river and the abbots of nearby Melrose Abbey.  Over time he continued to build additions to the house eventually turning it into a mansion.  Some of the stones used in constructing the mansion came from ruined castles and abbeys in Scotland.  He had a large library, a collection of ancient furniture, arms and armor plus other relics and curiosities pertaining to Scottish history.  

Abbotsford from the West, home of Sir Walter Scott

This third card is a “Hail Caledonia” product printed by Whiteholme Publishers Ltd, Dundee.  The code number is on the front of the card, 7526X.  No photographer is credited.  The view is from the West.

Scott wanted a historical feel to the house but he also desired all the comforts of modern living.  Early gas lighting and pneumatic bells were installed.  When his fortunes turned in 1825 and he found himself in debt he nearly lost the house to creditors.  In 1830 his creditors presented the library and museum to him as a free gift.  Upon Scott’s death in 1832 the house and contents went to his only son, Lt. Walter Scott, who died in on way from India in 1847 without ever living in the house.   The subsequent possessors were Scott’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  In 1847 his publisher, Robert Cadell, cancelled the remaining bond for a share in the copyright of Sir Walter’s works.

Sir Walter Scott was born 1771 and died 1832.  He married Charlotte Carpenter on Christmas Eve 1797 in St. Mary’s Church, Carlisle Cathedral.   A prolific historical writer, among his writings are the novels, Waverley, Rob Roy, Ivanhoe; and poems, The Lady of the Lake, The Field of Waterloo, The Bridal of Triermain, short stories and plays.

Thank you to K & J for sharing the cards.

For additional information, see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Scott
https://en.wikikpedia.org/wiki/Abbotsford_House