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.

UPDATE: Business Section St. Cloud

Hey everyone,

I thought I'd repost this postcard so you could compare it to the present day (as of April 2012) look of the business section of St. Cloud.

As you can see, not much has changed in the last 51 years at the intersection of New York Avenue and 10th Street.  The St. Cloud Hotel, on the right side of 10th street is still standing, although it doesn't seem like it's currently open for business.  Down on the left side of the street, there's one that is.  Also, the bank building on the right side, just past the clock is now a thrift store, one of many in the business district.  If you visit, you can eat at Crescent's Coffee and Tea  or the Cobblestone Cafe, which is attached to the old St. Cloud Hotel.

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.  

Mcfadden-Deauville Pool, Miami Beach, Florida

Saint Augustine April 8, 1948

Saw a wonderful water show here.

When are you coming to visit us?  We start home Tues.  Should be there in a week or so. 

Mr. and Mrs. Horace L. Campbell

Route 2

Rogersville, Mo.

"A usual crowd at the renowned water carnival held every Sunday during the winter season at Deauville Pool, Miami Beach, Florida."  The MacFadden-Deauville Hotel pool is still in operation, now known as the Deauville Beach resort.

Sadly, the SSDI lists a Horace Campbell as deceased in Rogersville, MO on September 1, 1972.  Since the small town has a population today of a little over 3,000 people , I feel pretty confident that this Horace is the same as the recipient.  I was hoping to find him in these historical photos.

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.

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.