Entrance to Gulfstream Park Race Course, between Hollywood and Miami, Fla.

Entrance to Gulfstream Park Race Course, between Hollywood and Miami, Fla.

Miami, FL February 3, 1949

Dear Steven,

If everything goes well, you and grammie will be down here next year.  Mommie misses you.

Love Mommie

Master Steven Westberry

North Jay, Maine

This postcard is most poignant and powerful- a mother, separated from her son and mother, working hard in south Florida to bring them both down to join her efforts to make a new life for them.  

Gulfstream Park has been a venue for horse racing since 1939.  The track is home to the $1million Florida Derby, and has expanded recently to include gaming.  On a political note, the park is a major player in Florida , having contributed over $500,000 to Florida's politicians in the 2010 cycle alone, to further expand their casino.  They've also undergone some impressive renovations and additions to the historic property, and have included shopping, bars and restaurants- it's worth the trip, even if you aren't into gambling or racing!

The little town of Jay, Maine was founded in 1795 along the banks of the Androscoggin river, and named for John Jay, the first U.S. Supreme Court Justice.  Like most small towns in New England, there is an historical society, as well as a museum chronicling Jay's history as a paper manufacturing center.  

As to the identities of the sender and recipient, the first page on a Google search yielded this post on a genealogy forum from 10 years ago.  I'll post it in its entirety so you can share the same anticipation as I did:

hi! my name is steven charles westberry. my dad came from maine.he is somehow not in touch with any westberry's from there. my grandmothers name is jacquelyn. i am not even sure what my real grandfathers name was. i guess there was a divorce or something that my dad and grandmother never want to talk about but i stumbled onto this site and am wondering about you guys. if anyone has any information
i would be very greatful if you would drop me a line.   well if anybody is reading this i have two children. a boy (5) and girl (3).I would like to tell them about the westberry family but dont have any info.

please help,

thank you,
steven charles westberry jr

I immediately contacted Mr. Westberry, Jr. about this card, so excited that I did so before posting this.  He has responded, and I'll be back with an update on the story for all of you.

UPDATE:  Mr. Westberry, Jr. has informed me that his father was 4 years old when he received this card, and is still alive.   I'm sending him his father's card, so I'll be back with another update!