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.

Sunset Scene in Florida

Punta Gorda, Fla, August 8, 1937

Am have a fine time go fishing every day it is very warm here and it makes me feel like a young fellow

Love to you all

From your ever loving brother W.E.

Mr. H. L. Post

Main St.

Farmingdale, N.Y.


Punta Gorda is close to Cleveland, which the Post brothers seem to enjoy.  The town of about 17,000 people was founded in the late 19th century on the south side of Charlotte Harbor.  Most of the town was severely damaged during Hurricane Charlie in 2004, but the city and historic district have undertaken a revitalization campaign.

Still no word on Gladys Post.  Hopefully soon we will know more about the traveling lumber brothers of Long Island.

Greetings from Florida (with a Pelican limerick!)

A Gorgeous Bird is the Pelican,

Whose Beak can Hold More than his Belican,

He can put in his Beak, Food enough for a Week,

But I’ll be d----d if I can see how the Helican.

Mr. and Mrs. Pelican

There are those who like the Northland,

            With its cold and all its sleet,

Winter winds blowing through you

            As you hurry down the street.

Here we stroll among the roses,

            In the sun that shines so warm,

Eating fruit and smelling flowers,

            With our coats upon our arm.

West Palm Beach, Fla March 7, 1930

Dear Harry:-

While Fern is doing fine, it will be at least another month before she can be moved, wish you were here.  I am writing this sitting on the pier with almost 500 Broad bill within 10 feet of me. 

Jim

H. L. Post

Farmingdale, N.Y.


Farmingdale is a small village on Oyster Bay of about 8,000 people.  It was carved out of the Bethpage purchase made by Thomas Powell in 1685 from the local Marsapeque, Matinecoc, and Sacatogue tribes.  The Post family was a prominent family in all of Long Island, most of whom descended from a Captain John Post in the late 1600's.  An H.L. Post is mentioned in the 1913 Journal of the New York State College of Forestry as owning a "wood-using" business in Farmingdale.  The business at 393 Main Street was owned by a Gladys K. Post at least until 1985, which is the last record available from the Nassau County Property Assessors Office.  


An email on an alumni website for Far Rockaway High School exists for Gladys, so I will send her a link to this post and update later.

Tarpon in MId-Air, a Thrill to All Fisherman

Cleveland, Fla March 29, 1937

Dear Bro.  3/28/37

This is the life fishing every day and have good luck but it soon will be over.  Expect to leave around the 13^th April as it is getting very warm here.  How is the weather up there I hope nice.  Love to all

W. E. Post

Bathers Under the Palms on Miami Beach, Fla.

A Daily Beach Scene- in January or July

Postmarked Miami, Fla.

October 20, 1936

Dear Lottie glades Harry

Don’t this make you feel like taking a dip.  I guess not up thair but it does down hear.  I am pretty buisey getting things straightened up.  We had a fine trip although it rained most all the time on the road.  Love From Hon Sue?

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Post

393 South Main St.

Farmingdale, L.I. N.Y.


Two changes to the Post Family-  first, we notice that Harry now has a wife, or at least one worth addressing.  Second, we have an address.  Unfortunately, the house was demolished years ago to provide a parking lot for the McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home.  Perhaps they performed the services for the owner of the house they would eventually consume.

Growing Pine Apples in Punta Gorda, Fla.

Cleveland, Fla. 1929?

Best Regards

Alex Cort

Mr. Harry Post

Main St.

Farmingdale

Long Island

New York


The first pineapple was introduced to Florida in 1860.  Pineapples are not grown in significant commercial quantities in Florida, but many Florida residents, including your author has planted the top of this bromeliad in the ground and grown a fruit for the squirrels and raccoons to steal.  (Note to self:  build squirrel-proof greenhouse for spring.)

Florida does indeed have a Cleveland. Located in Charlotte County, along the confluence of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor.  The fishing village has a population of about 3,000 people.

This postcard is the first of six that I have regarding the Post family of Farmingdale, NY.  It's a small community on Long Island on Oyester Bay in Nassau County.  

"Sausage Tree" (Kigella Pinetta), Florida

Sausage Tree (Kigellia Pinatta) Florida

Saint Petersburg, Fla

April 13, 1943

We saw this strange tree 4 years ago in Miami.  Can’t do much driving this year on account scarcity of gasoline.  If I could see my friend in Hyde Park, bet you I could have all I want.  We will be seeing you before long.  Weather like summer here and hate to leave it. 

George Schryver

Mr. C Kisselbrach

Pine Plains, N.Y.


As I sit outside 10 days and 59 years from the date on this card, I am reminded that it is very much like summer already, although not quite as oppressive as July and August can be here in Florida.

I discussed the Kigellia Pinatta a little yesterday, and found a more recent study using the bark extract as an anticonvulsant.  I should also add that this species is not quite invasive, as it only thrives in south Florida, much like its native habitat of tropical Africa, so its fairly scarce when considering Florida as a whole.

Gasoline was scarce during World War Two, and scarce enough that Mr. Schryver decided against taking the near 20 mile trip across the Gandy Bridge to his friend in Hyde Park, Tampa.  Tampa has the largest port facility in Florida, especially when it concerns bulk freight such as fertilizer and gasoline, so maybe George's friend worked for the harbormaster.  

Pine Plains, NY is a town of about 2,500 people.  The surname Kisselbrach appears in some archived papers in a 1930 story about the widow of George Kisselbrach getting married at age 78 to an 83 year old widower and a 1970 story about Lulu Kisselbrach's trip to Europe.

"Greetings from Orlando"

Postmarked Orlando FL 328, November 27 1976

11/26 75 degrees

Dear Emma

Have you gotten rested from your busy Sunday and Thanksgiving?  Hope so!

Weather’s fine and we’re having nice visit, shopping and eating.  Enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving.

See you soon,

Love

Mary Francis

Mrs. Edw. O’ Brien

727 North Avenue

Syracuse, New York 13206


Orlando readers will know that this postcard features a view from the Kahler Plaza Hotel on Rosalind that became the Metropolitan at Lake Eola.  Actually, according to the Lake Eola Historic Walking Trail Guide,  the Robert Meyer Hotel opened in this location on May 15, 1963.   On December 1, 1972, the Robert Meyer Motor Inn became the Kahler Plaza Inn, was later the Harley Hotel, and then joined the Sheraton chain. It was later converted into the Metropolitan.

Also, the bandshell depicted is the third in a series of four, the last being the Walt Disney Amphitheater, built in 1989.  And you've probably noticed that Lee's Lakeside and Apartments are the only building in view.

I did find an O'Brien genealogical forum, so I will update if I find out about that busy Sunday.

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.

A Corner in Mr. Bok's Study in the Singing Tower

"From the Mountain Pines of Maine to the Sunny Sands of Florida"This was Mr. Bok’s private study in the Singing Tower.  The beautiful wrought iron stairway leads to the upper floors.  Except for the room for Mr. Brees, the Carillonneur, this is the only finished and liveable room in the tower.  An automatic elevator leads from it to the upper floor.

St. Petersburg, January 24, 1934

Jan 24/34

The full envelope read this A.M.

Dear Lois and poor Lydia

It’s good to be here in the sunshine.  Going to Lakeland the 25^th for the day.  These go so fast.  I feel rested & contented.  Will write soon-My love is loud, Maude?  Sadie? Looks fine.  Mrs. L. and Florence are delighted to be here.

AAV

Art Department

Syracuse Public Library

Mrs.  Maude Kissel

733 Maryland Ave.

Syracuse, N.Y.

Looks like someone really tried to censor this postcard’s text years before the invention of the Sharpie.  I don’t know what having this postcard in an art department says for the state of Syracuse’s Public Library System, but hopefully they’ve moved past owning creepy portraits of hidden Florida landmarks.

Mr. Bok’s study is actually no longer hidden- you can get a private tour for a relatively small donation to the Bok Foundation!  Maybe you can stop by and check it out when you attend the International Carillon Festival this weekend!  (Again, I am not a paid sponsor.)

According to zillow.com, the 8 bedroom house at 733 Maryland Ave was built in 1900.  It was sold in 1996, and was most likely already converted into apartments as it is today.  There are a number of Kissels in Syracuse, NY, but no historical mentions of Maude, Lois or Lydia.

View on Lucerne Circle, Orlando, Fla.

December 8, 1921

Dear Bros. And Sister

Arrived here to day but no mail

Didn’t you get our card

We met Billiux? to day on the street was some? glad to see some one from home and so was he.  Weather is fine but I think some snow would look pretty good.

Love, Lum?

Mrs. Melzer? Hutchinson

Clayton

Jeff. Co.

N.Y.


The house pictured on the front of this card is the Dr. Phillips House, part of the The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne in Orlando.  Known as the Peckham House, it was built in 1893 by a Colonel Peckham as a wedding present to his daughter.  Dr. Phillip Phillips, a citrus magnate of the Orlando area, moved into the house in 1912 to run his large citrus empire and organize many charitable and artistic endeavors in central Florida.  His son, Howard Phillips donated his family's wealth to a foundation that is still very prominent today.  Many areas in Orlando carry the Phillips name, such as a hospital and a high school.

Clayton, NY is a small village on the St. Lawrence River founded in 1833.  It is home to the Antique Boat Museum and was primarily a lumber town in its beginnings.  It is home to a few boat manufacturers, including a third-generation business founded in 1902, Hutchinson's Boat Works.  One can safely assume that these brothers were the recipients of this postcard from their traveling sister.  I will update this post with any replies that might shed some light on the undecipherable words on this postcard.

UPDATE:
I emailed the Hutchinson Boat Works, and Wendy LaLonde informed me that there are no actual Hutchinson's around anymore to her knowledge. Her mother-in-law's father bought out one of the Hutchinson brothers and they never changed the name due to the name recognition. The Alexandria Historical Society has an incredible display of the history of Hutchinson's boat building that will run through this summer, which may have this card as part of their display.  


I almost don't want to take this beautiful view of Lake Lucerne out of my collection, but perhaps a descendant of the Hutchinson Brothers will visit the display this summer.

Orange Avenue looking North, Orlando, Florida, the City Beautiful

Lockhart, Fl

April 7, 1927

We are starting north the 13^th.  The papers are all fixed all o.k.  Your letter received & glad to hear from you.  Johnsons left this morning.  Are carrying meat? and sweating.  96 in the shade.  Whew!

Van Tiryl?

Mrs. Lena Clarke

Oxford, N.Y.

This was the first "used" postcard I ever purchased.  As a longterm resident, I was so amazed at this picture from Orlando in the 1920's, and how much this corner had changed, writing on the back did not bother me.  

Years later, I got around to reading the back of the card.  At first, I wondered what kind of town was Oxford, NY?  What "papers" needed to be fixed?  And how interesting that it could reach 96 degrees in April back in the 1920's.  So, recently, when I bought a large lot of vintage Florida postcards in which about half of them were used, all with a variety of messages from the past.

I had already performed my share of researching, so I decided to investigate these messages and the people who sent and received them.  Most often, the trail goes cold quickly, due to common surnames, the availability of online records from the early 20th century, and the sometimes undecipherable cursive script that everyone from the era learned in penmanship class.  

General information is the easiest to find.  Oxford, New York is a village of about 1500 people in mid-state New York founded in 1791.  At the time I bought this postcard, the Woolworth's and McCrory's stores were occupied by Terror on Church Street and Q-Zar Laser Tag (now the entire block is the The Plaza condominium, office and theatre complex, just down the street from SAK Comedy Lab's new location.)  

The personal information is more difficult.  Many addresses on vintage postcards (especially to small towns) are general delivery, or without street numbers or names.  Property records for the recipient's addresses only go back so far online.  

But sometimes Google searches yield interesting information through archived news stories.  For instance, a search for "Lena Clarke" and "New York" brings this article from the New York Times archive:

Are the "papers" referred to in the postcard her sanitarium discharge papers after this sordid Orlando murder?  It most likely isn't the same Lena Clarke, but over the course of this blog, we'll discover some of these links to the past are just as fascinating.

Finding those links to the past will be the main purpose of this blog.  If you enjoy this as much as I do, please click one of the ads on this site, or drop a little in my tip jar via PayPal.  Please visit the links in my posts, especially if they visit historical societies or businesses.  If you know of further information on anyone mentioned in these postcards, please add a comment or contact me so we can update the post.  Spread the word around the social networking sites.  The blog's Facebook page is here.

Or you can just send me a postcard!