Angebilt Hotel Skyline Across Beautiful Lake Eola

postmarked January 22, 1954, Orlando, Fla.

arrived 10 P.M. Tuesday night.  Left Newark Airport 6P.M. and was here in 4 hrs.  Did not stop until we reached Orlando.  Some speed Flew 20 thousand feet.  

Do write.  

Love, Marion

Very warm.

Mrs. Frank L Mason

70 Chestnut Street

West Haven, Conn

Hopefully Marion is not on amphetamines, and is talking about her flight.  If you were flying from Orlando to Newark today, the 938 mile journey would take you a little over 2 hours, averaging a flight speed of 434 mph.  So think of how much progress has been made, from jet airliners that fly around 35,000 feet, all to save two lousy hours!

I thought the recipient's name was "Mason," but Google corrected me with the right spelling.  The recipient is Mrs. Frank Nason, and she is a graduate of Wellesley College in 1882, with a Bachelor of Science.  Marion probably knew her best as Thalia Painter.  Frank Nason was a mining engineer, and they had at least one son, Alexis, who died fighting for the Canadians in World War I.  According to his commanding officer, Private Nason was killed while leading his men in the attack on a machine gun post.

Hotel Lucerne, Orlando, Florida

Orlando is the seventh city of Florida and the largest inland city in the State.  It is the county seat of Orange County and located in the very heart of Florida's brick highway system, the heart of the citrus belt, and the heart of the lake region of central Florida.

postmarked January 18, 1956

Hotel Lucerne Box 1793

Wednesday. Jan. 18.

You are not sick are you?  I hope not- but I've missed hearing from you.  

Guests are arriving in full numbers now tho it is not too warm here.  What is the news in Beverly?  Mildred Horne writes that she plans to come to Florida later this spring.  

Mabel? Hicks

Mrs. Robert O. Small

70 Dane St.

Beverly, Mass

Ms. Hicks is a doomsayer!  Great numbers of snowbirds!  Run!

A closer and later view of the Hotel Lucerne, which was fairly large for the burgeoning city of Orlando.  

Beverly, Massachusetts is an historic resort and manufacturing town of about 40,000 people today.  It is one of two cities that claim to be the birthplace of the U.S. Navy.  The tidy white house at 70 Dane St is still there, just blocks from Mackerel Cove.  Robert O. Small, an 1896 graduate of Bowdoin University, and served as Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Board of Education, as well as the Beverly Library Trustees Board.  

So it's weird that there aren't property records in Essex County, or a mention of his wife.  Or Mabel Hicks.  

Federal Building and Post Office, Miami, Florida

Miami, Fla February 4, 1950

Sat.  

Dear Emma,

We came down here yesterday.  Martin & I drove down, stayed Tues.  It’s a long drive & I was tired when we arrived.  Its real warm here like our summers up home.  It’s a busy city and I am afraid too much traffic to suit me. 

Sincerely,

Ruth Burke

Miss Emma L. Ruth

E. Front St.

Lititz, Lanc. Co.

Pa.


Lititz, Pennsylvania was founded as a Moravian Church settlement in 1756 by Count Nicolas von Zizendorf, a figure in the renewal of the church in the 18th century.   Lititz has about 9,000 people today, so one would think it would be fairly easy to find an obituary for Ms. Emma Ruth, or some other record.    However, the state of Pennsylvania lists an old nursing license for Ruth Burke, so she would have been an excellent choice to make the pre-Interstate drive from Pennsylvania to Miami.

The Federal Courthouse pictured on the card was built in 1931.  Located at 300 Northeast 1st Avenue, the now named David Dwyer Federal Courthouse is still the largest limestone building in south Florida.  The Post Office left the building in 1976, but it is still used for Federal courts and offices.  If you're in Miami, follow Ruth Burke and check out the Mediterranean Revival building!

Entrance to the Clubhouse, Hialeah Race Course, Hialeah, Fla.

The beautiful Royal Palm Driveway to the Club House at Hialeah Race Course is familiar to thousands of visitors all of the year.

Miami Beach, Fla July 16, 1952

Have thought about you so many times since we are here staying over on the Beach for several days.

Alice and Albert W.

Mrs. C. K. Kettering

Annville, Penna.


It seems very likely that C.K. Kettering is related to the people that started Kettering Corner in this small Pennsylvania town of about 4,000 people.  Kettering Corner is an historic ice cream parlor that seems to cater to the students of Lebanon Valley College, also located in the town.  It's family owned, so we'll see if they can shed any light on C.K. Kettering or Alice and Albert.  

The Walking Ring and Clubhouse at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale, Florida

Miami, Fla.  February 20, 1954

Dear Patch-  Have just sent cards to my other furry friends (your Va. Cousins)  tried to find appropriate cards, so even though you’re a bit  young to follow the horses, thought those trees might interest you- or do you still prefer the rugs?

Master “Patches” Miller

c/o Ruth Ann Miller

R.D. #3

Lebanon, Penna.

The question that troubles me is the identity of “Patches.”  I’m guessing that “Patches” is an animal of some sort, and the sender of this postcard has transcended into full dementia, believing that this animal is truly interested in playing the horses over urinating on trees and carpets, unlike her other furry friends in Virginia. 

Lebanon, PA is a town of about 25,000 people today.  Ruth Ann Miller is a fairly common name, so a precise record of her living (or her death) in Lebanon is hard to pinpoint.  R.D. #3 is a curious abbreviation, and looking it up on Google Maps points to a Home Depot just outside of town.

Looking Across Pancoast Lake, Miami Beach, Florida

One finds a colony of hundreds of modern Hotels and Apartments designed with all the comforts for the Beach visitors, winter and summer, on a very narrow strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean Pancoast Lake and between 25^th and 44^th Streets.

Miami Beach February 27, 1950

Had dinner with Julia and Malcolm today- They were very pleasant

Took us sailing in 36 ft. auxiliary- Hugh was sick so I just called and said hello.  Nan was out- couldn’t get her on the phone- got transported by chauffeur Swastika is a beautiful house

Peggy and Fairfax were there with 2 kids-

Very pleasant in all.

Verado Beach tomorrow.

Love

Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Cassidy

162 Grace Rd.

Babylon, New York

A colony of Importantly-Capitalized Hotels and Apartments!  Where Julia and Malcolm live!  Ohm they are so pleasant.  A 36 foot auxillary was either a boat, or a lost German army division, secretly laying in wait within Miami Beach.  No sign of a house or any establishment in Miami Beach called “Swastika,” which seems highly unlikely to find just 5 years after World War II.  Varado Beach tomorrow, Washington, DC next week!

Seriously, there was a "Swastika House" in Miami, and it was named after the Indian symbol of the Sun.   Industry magnate and Florida land boom profiteer William John Matheson built the house in the early 20th century, and passed it onto his son, Malcom.  There is also a Swastika Park subdivision in Miami, built in 1917, most likely by Mr. Matheson.  Malcolm Matheson demolished the house at 3645 Ingraham Highway in the 1970's,  but the tony subdivision in Coconut Grove still retains the name.

The house on Grace Road in Babylon, New York doesn't exist.  Neither does a Grace Road in Babylon.  The city of over 200,000 people doesn't seem to have an online record of a G.W. Cassidy, which is strange if the sender knew so many of Miami society folks.

Flamingos and Nests at Hialeah Park, Miami, Fla.

The famous flock of flamingos of Hialeah Park is always a centre of interest to all visitors.  This family was recently increased by 62 young birds which were hatched and are being reared in this flock.  The scene illustrated shows adult birds and their mud and grass nests.  Several eggs may be seen.

Hialeah, Fla. December 31, 1945

Dear Gramp

I saw these flamingos through a powerful looking glass.  They are really pretty.

Love Cindy

Mr. H. J. Taylor

556 W. Chestnut Street

Lancaster, Pa

Let's add these words:  “…on my rifle.”  “…and tasty.”  Love Cindy.

The flamingo is a native species of South Florida.  And is actually consumed as a delicacy in some Caribbean countries and India.  There are plenty of recipes on the internet, though finding flamingo meat might be a challenge.

The house at 556 W. Chestnut Street, built in 1890 still stands.  Unfortunately, the Lancaster County Online Property records do not go back far enough to show any activity regarding the property.  And in a city of 500,000 people, the surname Taylor is fairly common.  

Castillo de San Marcos with the Shrimp Fleet in Matanzas Bay, St. Augustine, Florida

CASTILLO de San Marcos with the shrimp fleet in Matanzas Bay, St. Augustine, Florida

This grim gray old fortress still protects the harbor entrance to St. Augustine.  Construction was started in 1672 and it was not completed until 1756.  It has been under siege by British fleets and Pirate hordes, but never captured  During one siege the entire population of St. Augustine lived entirely within its walls.

Lake Wales, Fla, January 31, 1957

Thursday 6 A.M.

Plan to start out across the Everglades today.  Spent the day on the beach in Fort. Lauderdale.  The water was wonderful.  Had beautiful weather so far.  Hate to think of cold weather.  Be seeing you.

Hazel, Ike, Ken

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Murphy

N. Railroad St.

Palmyra, Pa.

It looks like Hazel, Ike and Ken are taking the long way to get to the Everglades.  If you can imagine a Nash Rambler, moving over an Indiana Jones-type map of Florida, the red line would be slowly moving to St. Augustine, south to Ft. Lauderdale, then across the state to Lake Wales, where the postcard is marked, and where the scene would fade to Nazi orange pickers.  Wait, what?

As a Florida native, I’ve been to Castillo de San Marcos many times, and see it on many vintage postcards.  (In the 1930’s, it was called “Fort Marion,” which has no connection to Indiana Jones movies.)  However, I forgot the fact that this fort took 84 years to complete.  Think of that when you’re waiting for that new Performing Arts Center or road construction to be completed. 

Palmyra, PA is a small town, but apparently not small enough for absolute general delivery.  Unfortunately, no records of someone from the Murphy clan residing on Railroad exist.

The "TOTE" Board at Hialeah Park Race Track, Miami, Florida

WHAT’S THE ODDS- The smart “hoss players” remain behind the stands to watch the early pre-race betting odds before placing their bets.  This tote board is one of the most popular spots at beautiful Hialeah Race Track just outside Miami.

Miami, March 28, 1951

Bonjour!

(French)

Again with the French!  The TOTE Board, or Taking Only The Easy.  Talking Over Trash Exits.   Trailers On The Effluent.  Trans-Orbital Tank Engine.  The Opposition Thanks Everyone.

Beautiful Hialeah Race Track is still around.  Built in 1925, the race track has featured many famous thoroughbreds such as Seabiscuit and Citation, been visited by the likes of Frank Sinatra and John F. Kennedy, and was the setting for the movies The Champ and Let It Ride.

I'm not even going to begin to transcribe the French on the postcard.  Anyone read French?

The Great Banyan Tree, Thomas A. Edison Winter Home, Ft. Myers, Fla.

Banyan Tree (Ficus Bengalensis)

Ft. Myers January 29, 1957

Hello Rhea?

Wish you could be here with us.  We are going to the beach to-day.  Just like summer.  What is going on up there any way. 

As ever,

Frank?

Palm N Trailertown

% Bannett

Ft. Myers, Fl

Mrs. Rhea Thomas

210 Pearl St.

Burlington, Vermont

Given to Mr. Edison by Harry Firestone in 1925.  It was brought over from India, growing in a butter tub and was 2” in diameter at that time.  Now over 90 feet in diameter around the trunk.

So basically, some old rich white guy brought an invasive species to his friend, also some old rich white guy, where it thrived.  Now it’s a tourist landmark on the grounds of the supermassive estates where people that live in tiny sheet metal boxes pay money  to see it.  What is going on down there anyway, Frank?

Palm N Trailertown is still listed as an existing trailerpark in Ft. Myers, one of many in the vicinity.

Burlington, Vermont is the largest city in Vermont with a little over 200,000 people, about one third of the population of the entire state.


A Miss Rhea Thomas is mentioned in an archived obituary for a Floyd Thomas, her brother who sided in 1949 at the age of 58.  The house at 210 Pearl Street has been converted into apartments, but is historic enough to be featured on this University of Vermont history website, which states the residence was built in 1885 by a George D. Wright.

Colorful Macaws, Parrot Jungle, Miami, Fla.

Miami Beach, August 20, 1956

How do you like these parrots, bet you like your parakeet better.

Regards, love?

Uncle Gio?  Eunuch Gro?

Miss Anita Lennar? Lemar?

2984 Westbrook Ave

Cincinnati, Ohio

"So tropical is south Florida the wild parrots live in the hammocks and get along as well as native birds."

So tropical is south Florida that wild invasive species get along just fine with native fauna as they edge them out of their established ecosystems.  If you live, or have ever visited the suburbs of south Florida, you may see wild macaws comfortably establishing themselves as in this YouTube video.  Basically, “Eunuch Gro” is right- the parakeet is better.

The house at 2984 Westbrook Ave is still standing.  According to the Hamilton County Auditor's Office (fun fact- the auditor's name is Dusty Rhodes), the structure was built in 1952 and sold in 2003.  Thanks to “Uncle Glo’s” spastic script it is hard to determine Miss Anita’s surname, but given she is referred to as a “Miss” in 1956, it is fully conceivable she is still alive as of this writing.  

An Exclusive Helicopter Scene of Miami Beach

An exclusive Helicopter scene of the Fabulous Miami Beach Hotels from 29^th St. and Collins Ave. to the “Firestone estate.”  Indian Creek Drive is on the left.

March 12, 1955.

French text?

Mrs. Anthony Pospisil

6714 W. 16^th Street

Berwyn, Illinois

Ooh!  An exclusive Helicopter scene!  So exclusive that it’s Capitalized!  Just Like The Hotels In Fabulous Miami Beach!

The “Firestone Estate” refers to the mansion of Harvey Samuel Firestone, the founder .  In 1954, it was demolished for the construction of a new hotel- the Fontainebleau, so this card was printed and sat around for at least two years.  

Berywyn, Illinois is a town of about 55,000 people in Cook County, near Cicero.  Mr. Pospisil's address is unclear through Google StreetView, but it's in a nice little neighborhood across from Abe's Auto Repair.  As to Mr. Pospisil's identity, the state of Illinois lists a barber license that expired in 1987 for the same name.  Perhaps someone in Cicero remembers a French speaking barber?

I hope someone can make out the text.  The script makes it difficult to read, but as stated above, I believe it’s French.  

Gulfstream Park from Main Club Terrace Entrance between Miami and Hollywood, Fla.

Miami Beach, Fla

November 20, 1957

11/18

Dear Harold:

They make the race tracks here very beautiful and attractive so they can take your money away painlessly.  Fortunately no tracks are open now.  Only a few more days then back to the cold city.

RTS?

Mr. Harold Pownall

118 W. Gorgas St.

Philadelphia 19

Pennsylvania


The Florida Derby is happening on March 31 at this historic track, where it has been held since 1952.  Started at Tampa Downs in 1926, the Derby is the premiere event of the Florida horse racing season, which as our writer notes, begins in January and ends in April.  In fact, if RTS had stuck around for a few months, he could have seen Tim Tam win the Florida Derby, only to nearly miss out on the Triple Crown at Belmont.

The name Harold Pownall comes up on quite a number of retrieved records in a Google search and on the SSDI, but since none tie that name to the city of Philadelphia.

Florida Sanitarium, Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Fla. February 18, 1954

1419 A W. Smith Ave., Orlando

Dear Marian

Arrived here safely but not my suit case.  I waited five days.  It was a big joke to live in my same clothes.  Marion wears size 12.  Yesterday I had a letter from Arthur telling us Jeanette is in the Wilhemmem Hospital.  I have also had to go but hoped she would wait until I got back.  So I have something to think about.  Hope everything will be O.K. Marian & Harry fair.

Love, K. D. T.

Miss Marian Clarke

1343 Rockland St.

Phila. 41

Pa.

The house at 1419 W. Smith Ave is still standing, and according to Orange County Property records, was sold in 1985 by a Kelda D. Thatcher.  Ms. Thatcher is most likely the "KDT" writing the postcard, but the trail goes cold, even with her unusual first name.  The same can be said about Marian Clarke, whose common name is plentiful in Philadelphia.  

Florida Sanitarium is better known today as Florida Hospital.  Opened in 1908 with $9,000 and four patients, the Florida Sanitarium treated tuberculosis patients by providing them with sunshine and fresh air based on the sanitarium model utilized in Battle Creek, Michigan in the late 19th century.  By 1970, the small 20 bed farmhouse had grown into a campus with state-of-the-art medical equipment and was renamed Florida Hospital Orlando.  

Pool and Ocean Bathing- Municipal Casino, Lake Worth, Florida

Greenacres City, Fla.  September 2, 1954

Just a few lines to let you know we arrived safely August 18 eve we had a very hot trip especially the first 2 days there where a cooler breeze coming towards the ocean.  Best wishes from the Kehrs

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Galada

17007 Glendale

Cleveland, Ohio


The Lake Worth Casino was not a beachside gambling hall, but a community gathering spot, public pool and changing house built in 1922 to replace a wooden structure that had burned in 1919.  Currently, the City of Lake Worth is rehabilitating the structure for a grand re-opening.

According to Trulia, the house at 17007 Glendale was built in 1941.  Cuyahoga County online records only go back to 1979, where for almost 30 years the house was owned by members of the Brooks family, until being transferred to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and sold to the current owner.

Norman Galada, according to the Social Security Death Index, passed away on December 9, 1999.  However, he has a son that lives in Ohio.  Unfortunately, WhitePages does not list email addresses, so I'm sending him a postcard with a link to this post.  As always, I'll update this post with any information about the Galadas or the Kehrs and their hot trip to Florida.

Travelers Palm in Florida

Miami, Fla June 18, 1952

Dear Mom & Pop,

This place is beautiful.  The folks have been driving us around to see it.  We had our 1^st ocean bath today, it was wonderful.  We feel like flying now, with these beautiful birds down here.  Lots of love to Ruth and 

George.  All

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Snyder

216 Virginia Ave.

Audubon, New Jersey


Did you know the Traveller's Palm is not really a true palm tree?  The species, Ravenala madagascariensis, is related to the Bird Of Paradise plants.  This popular ornamental is not even a native Florida plant, but originates in Madagascar, as its scientific name would imply.  It is also the name of a friendly guest lodge in Kuala Lampur.  


The Snyder's house, built in 1929 according to Trulia, is still standing in Audubon, New Jersey.  According to New Jersey property records, the house was sold in 2009, but since online records only go back to 1990, there is no record of the Snyders' sale.  There are quite a few George and William Snyders in Audubon, which is surprising for a town of about 10,000 people.  


The town was incorporated in 1905, and named after John James Audubon, so it's only fitting that George remarked that they were flying like birds.

A Beautiful Park in Orlando

A Beautiful Park in Florida

Delray Beach, Fla

February 27, 1954

We are having a nice vacation and we both have been feeling very well.  We’ll have to be on our way home soon.  Have been away since the 23^rd of January.  Plan on being home by April 1^st.  Hope you have been very well since we seen you last. 

Love,

Harry and Agnes

Mrs. Marie B. Sinclair

106 11^th Street

Garden City- L.I.

NY

Looks like Harry and Agnes have over a month left in Florida, unless this is the continuing groundwork for the most patient April Fool's prank ever!

Garden City was founded in 1869 by Alexander Turney Stewart, a merchant millionaire.  The city flourished in the early 20th century, and now boasts a population of over 21,000.  Marie B. Sinclair does not turn up in a basic search of public records, nor does her original house.  The current structure was built in 2004 and is valued at $1.6 million.  Judging from the neighborhood, Marie must have been doing very well for herself.  Strangely enough, a September 11, 2011 bulletin from the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Garden City lists a Harry and Agnes Young under a schedule of Mass Intentions.

Harry and Agnes traveled over 200 miles from buying to sending this postcard.  Keep in mind, the postmark predates the construction of the Florida Turnpike by just 3 years.  (Whether our travelers had to fend off "kill the Pike" demonstrators, we'll never know.)  That would make the journey to Delray Beach and arduous and lengthy process by today's standards.  Maybe Harry and Agnes were secret civil rights organizers going to meet with Solomon D. Spady.

The SInging Tower, Lake Wales, Florida

Edward W. Bok built the Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary and Singing Tower at Lake Wales, Florida, as a token of his appreciation and gratitude for what America had given him.  The tower weighs 5,500 tons, has a square base of 51ft. wide and rises to a height of 205 ft. 2in.  It contains a carillion of 71 bells and is built for the most part from southern materials.  It is a concrete exemplification of Mr. Bok’s creed. 

“Make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”

Key West February 24, 1954

St. Petersburg, Fla

Dear Clara:

We are here for month vacation and it is a very beautiful spot.  Today have travelled to Key West.  We saw turtles 500lb apiece. 

Love,

Van Clove?

Mrs. Clara Snyder

7524 Fayette St.

Phila (38

PA

The more postcard messages I transcribe, the more I realize that I’m looking at the 20^th century’s version of text messaging.  Text messaging that took days to transmit, but text messaging nonetheless.  “We are here.”  “Today have traveled to Key West.”  “We saw 500 pound turtles.”  Wait, wha?

The 1925 house, although since converted to condos, is still standing.  Ancestry.com lists a Clara Snyder who passed away in Erie, PA in 1959, but no specific results come up in a brief search. 

It is unknown if Van Clove was British and referring to what those turtles may have gone for in London, or if Florida was fending off a monster turtle attack in Lake Wales in 1954.  You may see some monster turtles if you attend the International Carillon Festival this weekend at Bok Tower Gardens?  (Again, I am not a paid sponsor.)

"Singing Tower" at Night Time, Mountain Lake Sanctuary, Lake Wales, Fla.

Postmarked Wil? Fla.  1955

The weather is de-lightful.  It was too warm for a sweater today when I went shopping.  Gib is an inspector for “Snow Crop” orange juice.  Don’t know whether this is the answer or not.

Kay.

Miss Beatrice Miller

374 N. 12^th St.

Lebanon, Pa


The weather is de-lightful!  Too bad the postmark cut off at the top- we don't know if Kay was in Williston, Wildwood, or Williamsburg- and none of those places are close to Lake Wales, or Bok Tower.  One thing is for certain, Snow Crop Orange Juice was the first of two companies to introduce frozen orange juice concentrate to U.S. consumers, so yes, Kay, Gib found the answer!

Lebanon, PA is a town of about 25,000 people in eastern Pennsylvania.  It's full of history, and even has a recent eponymous movie shot in the town.  There is a census record for Beatrice Miller, born around 1928 in Lebanon, which would put her at a plausible age to receive this card.

Bok Tower will be showing up quite a bit in my postcards, as it is one of the first tourist attractions in Florida.  I personally urge you to visit, especially if you live in Orlando.  Since you'll be seeing the Gardens quite a bit in the upcoming months, I'll transcribe the description on the card itself:

THE SINGING TOWER FROM THE NORTH,
LAKE WALES, FLORIDAThe Mountain Lake Singing Tower is located on the highest land in Florida and it is surrounded by 48 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, - the Sanctuary.The tower is built of Florida coquina rock and Georgia marble, and is 205 feet high and 51 feet in diameter at the base.  The Carillon with 71 bells varying in weight from just a few pounds to about eleven tons, is one of the finest and largest ever cast.

Oh, and here's an ad (for sale at adclassix.com!) for Snow Crop Orange Juice in 1954, just before Gib started working there.

Central Avenue from the Air. Looking West from Yacht Club and Basin, St. Petersburg, Fla

January 29, 1957

Dear Son and family,

Your 20 below figures gave us the chills.  Too bad we can’t all be down here in the 80 every day.  I am having therapy treatments now from a sweet little woman.  She expects to cure me.  Very good looking but married. 

Best wishes,

Dad

Albert W. Smith

Dixfield, Maine

Box 52

St. Petersburg has long been the summer destination for many tourists and retirees looking to escape the harsh winters of the Northern United States.  Founded in 1876 and named after St. Petersburg, Russia, the population nearly doubled from 1950 to 1960, during which time Mr. Albert Smith's Dad went to seek “therapy treatments from a sweet little woman.”

Dixfield, Maine is a small community that touts the fact that it is the only place in the world named “Dixfield.”  The town was founded in 1789, and originally called Holmantown after the founder, Colonel Jonathan Holman, and renamed Dixfield in 1803, after an empty promise from a Dr. Elijah Dix to build a library.  The library didn't materialize until 1935, but left a deep commitment to local history by the residents, who formed an historical society and museum.

There is a marriage record for an Albert W. Smith to Ada Berry or Murch in Dixville, Maine in 1924, 28 years before this postcard was sent.  There's a marriage record for Alan Todd Smith to Jeanette Elizabeth Turner in 1994 that could be a direct descendant.  Perhaps Alan Smith or the Dixfield Historical Society can shed some light on Albert's Dad's treatments or the "sweet little woman" who was very "good looking but married."  Did Dad wish to find romance in Florida after being divorced or widowed?  Was he playing matchmaker to his already married son?  And what kind of therapy treatments were available in St. Petersburg that beckoned him down from chilly Maine?