Buffalo as Seen Through its Postcards
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A presentation for Explore Buffalo about the history of Buffalo, NY using postcards.
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Buffalo as Seen Through its Postcards
- 1. BUFFALO AS SEEN THROUGH POSTCARDS Jim Mayer
- 3. US Postcard History • Pioneer Period 1870 - 1898 • Private Mailing Card Period 1898 - 1901 • Post Card Period 1901 - 1907 • Divided Back Period 1907 - 1915 • White Border Period 1915 - 1930 • Linen Period 1930 - 1945 • Photochrom Period 1945 - Present
- 4. Pioneer Period 1870 - 1898
- 5. Pioneer Period 1870 - 1898
- 6. Private Mailing Card 1898 - 1901
- 7. Private Mailing Card 1898 - 1901
- 8. Post Card Period 1901 - 1907
- 9. Post Card Period 1901 - 1907
- 10. Divided Back Period 1907 - 1915
- 11. Divided Back Period 1907 - 1915
- 12. Divided Back Period 1907 - 1915
- 13. Divided Back Period 1907 - 1915
- 14. Divided Back Period 1907 - 1915
- 15. White Border Period 1915 – 1930
- 16. White Border Period 1915 – 1930
- 17. Linen Period 1930 - 1945
- 18. Linen Period 1930 - 1945
- 19. Photochrom Period 1945 - Now
- 20. Photochrom Period 1945 - Now
Editor's Notes
- Welcome How many of you have sent a postcard in the last year? There was a time you would have sent them almost every day.
- The Golden Age of Buffalo – 1880-1930 coincided with the Golden Age of Postcards – 1890 – 1915 People collected postcards. Some they bought and others sent to them by family and friends. Would show you their album of postcards when you visited. Was really the first Twitter – short messages delivered timely – Twice a day residential mail delivery – Business district had up to 9 deliveries in a day
- It’s believed that Hood actually sent the Postcard to himself – Picture of Postal Employees on it No picture on Charlton’s card – Just one side for the address and the other side was blank 1870 – Picture was of Camp Conlie – a training camp for soldiers in the Franco-Prussian War 1890’s Many Early Postcards showcased photography of nude women – commonly known as French Postcards
- True French Postcards were totally Nude Me doing a talk with naked women was vetoed There were even some with couples in “action”
- In 1840 the first postcard was sent to Theodore Hood in London – It’s believed he mailed it to himself. 1848 John Charlton produced the first commercially printed postcard. 1870 the first Picture post card was made in France 1889-1890 the Eiffel Tower was a very popular picture postcard.
- June 8, 1872 Congress approved government printed postal cards May 1, 1873 First government-produced postcard is issued. One side for the address and the other for the message – Only government issued cards could be called “Postal Cards” Mansion House was at Main and Exchange. Opened c. 1840 – Burned down in 1884 and was rebuilt –Considered to be the best hotel in the city when built – 300 rooms – possible the Lincolns stayed there when they came through Buffalo in 1848 Private cards cost $.02 to mail while government ones were $.01.
- June 8, 1872 Congress approved government printed postal cards May 1, 1873 First government-produced postcard is issued. One side for the address and the other for the message – Only government issued cards could be called “Postal Cards” Private cards cost $.02 to mail while government ones were $.01.
- May 19, 1898 Congress passed an act allowing private printers to make postcards Had to say “Private Mailing Card” on them to distinguish them from government produced cards – Now cost the same for postage Messages not allowed on the address side of the card
- May 19, 1898 Congress passed an act allowing private printers to make postcards Had to say “Private Mailing Card” on them to distinguish them from government produced cards – Now cost the same for postage Messages not allowed on the address side of the card
- December 1901 the Postmaster General allowed the words “Post Card” instead of Private Mailing Card This card was postmarked in 1905 Still not allowed to put messages on the Address side of the card Most cards had pictures on them so message space was eliminated Called the Undivided Back Period Grattan was built in Elizabeth, NJ in 1900 – would be re-built and became the Cotter
- December 1901 the Postmaster General allowed the words “Post Card” instead of Private Mailing Card Still not allowed to put messages on the Address side of the card Most cards had pictures on them so message space was eliminated Called the Undivided Back Period
- 1907 – Both international and US rules changed to allow a message on the address side of the postcard – the post card we all know Increased the popularity of postcards dramatically Also was time the real photo postcard was born Kodak’s “postcard camera” produced a postcard size negative – printed on a divided back postcard
- 1907 – Both international and US rules changed to allow a message on the address side of the postcard – the post card we all know Increased the popularity of postcards dramatically Dear Gertrude, Your postal received. Write me a letter when you can. I would like to hear from you. I will write to you soon. Baby is doing fine now but has had a hard time. Love to all. Maude Also was time the real photo postcard was born Kodak’s “postcard camera” produced a postcard size negative – printed on a divided back postcard
- Also was time the real photo postcard was born Kodak’s “postcard camera” produced a postcard size negative – printed on a divided back postcard Not sure who the girl on the pony is but the house is at 21 Bennett, Buffalo
- Photo was printed on a postcard – divided back
- Incase you wanted to see him, This is my Great-Grandfather, John D. Fischer He is also on a postcard but nothing is written on the back. He died in 1930.
- German printers dominated the market in postcard printing up to this time Had better inks and technologies WWI changed this – The quality of the printing declined significantly Because of the lower quality people lost interest in collecting them – The Golden Age of Postcards was coming to an end The white border came along in order to save ink and gave this period its’ name – also added the description of the picture to the front. Originally the Rand mansion, sold to the masons in 1924 and to Canisius High School in 1940. Buffalo Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonary.
- I like the message on the back Dear Dad, I know this will interest you, if it is what I think it is. It is certainly a marvelous piece of work. Someday you may see it. Hope so anyway. Don’t know just what time we leave today for Detroit. Love Minnie.
- In the 1930’s new printing technology allowed printing on papers with higher rage content Gave a texture to the card – Most retained the white border but some were printed to the edge Continued to be printed well into the next period
- Back remained pretty much the same – some added a further description of the picture on the back I like the message on the back of this. Dear Alva, Did you get your birthday card? We live right across the street the street from the picture on reverse side. 73 Humboldt Pkwy., Buffalo, NY Please write. Lois Monroe?
- First photochrom cards appeared in 1939 – Union Oil Company started offering them in their western service stations During WWII production of postcards slowed because of supply shortages After the war they dominated the postcard market – picture is the ore docks that were at Bethlehem Steel Ones we are most familiar with
- Back remained pretty much the same since the divided back period – Description of the picture has been moved to the back Standard size card costs $0.35 to mail today Now historians have started to use postcards as primary source materials – Lets see what we can see from Buffalo’s postcards
- We’ll start at the water front. The crowd is filling the Americana for a day at crystal beach. The view looks up Main Street. Ticket booth and News Stand in the front. The buildings along Main Street was what Buffalo looked like before the skyscrapers came to Buffalo in the late 1890’s Chamber of Commerce Building built in 1905. Crystal Beach boats would later dock by the commercial slip after the canal was filled in in the 1920’s No Postmark – Divided back so probably 1907-1915
- Postmarked 1907 Carried about 3,000 people and it ran from 1908 – 1929 Picture shows a lifestyle that no longer exists Offer tours on SS Columbia next summer.
- Hello Net, You should come to Buffalo and I will take you to this ship. My address is Robert Sh 683 Walden Ave., Buffalo, NY
- Post Mark 1906 – Was mailed to Miss Nellie Burgess, Forty Fort, PA – no message on it Not a divided back so it may be an older card that was used in 1906. Interesting to see how people dressed for a day at the beach.
- Post Mark 1912 Mailed by someone in Wisconsin to someone in Nebraska Coal Docks at harbor entrance – where the Hatch is now – North pier coal docks were built by 1882 and the most important coal transfer facilities for the DL&W railroad. Watson Elevator on right stood on one of the “islands” where the Watson Turning Basin now is. Probably the Bennett Elevator on left – came down about 1912 (possibly the Union Elevator)
- Post mark 1911 County Hall, Liberty Pole, Chinaman Lighthouse, Life Saving Station Breakwall for Erie Basin Liberty Pole stood at Main and Terrace – Had a total of 4 from 1838-1939 Wooden Pole with an eagle on top. Lighthouse was built in 1833 was to double as a lookout tower for the lifesaving station but a separate wooden tower was built instead. Lifesaving station used the wooden tower to lookout for ships in danger. Was also used to lookout for illegal Chinese immigrants crossing over from Canada. Was called the Chinaman lighthouse because of it’s resemblance to a Chinese hat. When it was torn down the nickname was transferred to the old lighthouse. Replica of it is now at Michigan and South Park.
- Post Mark 1913 US Lifesaving crew headed out onto the lake. Can’t imagine going out in such a small boat in rough seas
- Post Mark 1907 The Wheeler Elevator is where Riverworks now is. Was replaced in 1909. Picture shows how busy the port was and the different types of ships that were in the harbor every day. There is no other message on the card.
- No Post Mark Waterfront after the storm of Sunday, January 20th, 1907 – Picture shows the area now known as Times Beach. Lumber is the wreckage from the shantys along the beach – the elevator is the Dakota Elevator which was 3 years old at the time – It’s responsible for the curve in the skyway Was a mild winter with no ice on the lake – gale blew in with heavy winds and ships that were docked for the winter were blown off their moorings – 5 large ships were grounded – 2 were filled with grain
- No Post Mark – Copyright 1900 Detroit Photographic Company Color of the Great Northern looks wrong – It’s a red brick building today City Ship Canal Great Northern built 1897 – Oldest Elevator still Standing
- No Post Mark – Linen Post Card 1930-1945 Aud is built so after 1940 Canadiana is at Dock so before 1956 Lehigh Rail Terminal & D, L & W Terminal
- No Post Mark Around 1908 Cornerstone laid in 1882 – Mayor Grover Cleveland presided Dedicated July 4, 1884 – Governor Grover Cleveland presided – President sworn in March 3, 1885 Re-Built in 1889 – Monument was sinking – Put on a new base Old Library – Dedicated in 1887 stood until early 1960’s when new library was built White Building – formerly Buffalo Savings bank – Vaudeville in picture – demolished in 1922 Coca-Cola sign was The Sugar Bowl Lafayette Theater next to Sugar Bowl – Lafayette Theater moved to 4 Broadway in 1922 Churches on Broadway are probably St. Mary’s at Broadway and Pine and St. Ann’s at Broadway and Emslie
- Post Mark 1908 Buffalo German Insurance building – Built about 1879 and stood until it was replaced by the Tishman building in 1957. Lafayette Theater building was originally the Lafayette Street Presbyterian Church and was built in 1862. Congregation stayed until 1896 when it was remodeled to become the Lafayette Theater. Burlesque was the main attraction. Theater stayed until 1914.
- No Post Mark – Divided Back – Probably German Printer Sugar Bowl is now Park Hof German Restaurant Theater was remodeled in 1914 for movies and vaudeville. Was called the Olympic. In 1922 it became movies only. Night scenes are most sought after by collectors The Rand Building would be built there in 1929
- No Post Mark – Divided Back Night cards are all painted on colors Both were demolished in the 1920’s and the Rand Building would be built there in 1929.
- Lafayette Building built in 1922 – Lafayette Theater moved there – the building is no longer there It was demolished in 1972 several arson fires and a bomb was set off in it in 1970. No one was injured but the lower floors were extensively damaged. Building was mostly vacant at the time. Was demolished in 1972 and a parking lot is still there. Sugar Bowl is now the Lafayette National Bank (of Brooklyn?) Eventually part of HSBC White building is another theater – Burlesque House
- Post Mark 1916 Brisbane Building 1892 Replaced the Brisbane Arcade that burned down Milton Beebe was the Architect Hotel Lafayette 1905 Looking down Main is the Hotel Iroquois
- No Post Mark – Before new Library Night view of the square All the bald men with light reflecting off them
- No Post Mark – $0.04 stamp 1963-1968 Kleinhans, America’s largest store devoted exclusively to men and boys Kleinhan’s opened in 1893 and moved into the Brisbane Building shortly after. Sold to Hart Schaffner & Marx in 1967 – chain shut down in 1992
- Post Mark 1975 Liberty Bank Building opened in 1925 with the statues of Liberty facing east and west - Addition to Liberty Building was built in the early 1960’s Tishman Building opened in 1957 Traffic around Monument – Redesigned after a car hit the monument to be like it is now
- No Postmark – Divided back Brisbane Building – Ads in the windows and Awnings – Retail along office buildings German American Bank Building – Liberty Bank in WWI Hudson Men & Boys Store
- No postmark – Linen card 1930-1945 Western Savings Bank merged with Buffalo Savings Bank in 1981 – Both are gone now Building was demolished in the 1960’s and replaced with the Main Court Building which became the bank’s headquarters until the merger Genesee Building in the background – Built 1922-23 Now the Hyatt Hotel St. Louis Church down the street
- Postmark 1906 – Main Street Looking North (from Shelton Square)
- No Postmark Genesee St on Left and Chippewa on the right
- No Postmark D. S. Morgan Building, Law Exchange Building, City and County Hall Morgan Building was built in 1895 – designed by Green & Wicks – 12 story building – one of the first steel supported skyscrapers in Buffalo Franklin Street, Pearl Street & Niagara Street All Buildings demolished for the Rath Building in 1965 – cut off Niagara Street from Shelton Square
- No Postmark Main North from Seneca – Standing in front of where One Seneca tower is. Right – Marine Trust Building, Ellicott Square, Hotel Iroquois Left Side - Bank of Buffalo built 1895 – Chamber of Commerce Building demolished 1986 built 1905
- No postmark William Street looking East from Emslie Siegrest & Fraley- Department Store Jacob Siegrist & George Fraley – located on entire block at William and Emslie – Building built in 1896 – No longer there Savoy Theatre on Right Side built in 1909
- No Postmark – Divided back William Street Looking East Savoy Theatre, 625 William Street, was built in 1909 at an estimated cost of $65,000 – In 1927 they bought a Link organ to accompany silent movies. Later renamed Roxie/Roxy Building is still standing but buildings next to it are gone. Pretty much all the buildings you see are gone.
- January 28, 1907 - Horrific fire on Seneca Street killed 3 firemen and injured 12 when the building collapsed. Had to break through the ice to recover the bodies. Fingy Conners through his Courier newspaper set up a fund for the widows and orphans – he kept all the money.
- Postmark 1908 Be good & keep a watch on your big brother. C Picture is 65th Regiment Armory NGSNY, Buffalo, NY
- Postmark 1913 Dear Friend, Rec’d your postal, glad you arrived OK. Am very busy or would written sooner. Our friend Mr. P has had typhoid fever. I hear he is on with Mrs R again I hear. Hope you an yours are well. We are well. Am going to have Helen start taking lessons soon. Will write more some day. With love and best wishes to you, Daisy
- Postmark 1913 Dear Ruby, Would it be too much trouble for you to call up Hattie and tell her that we are not going to Buffalo tomorrow. Tell her we will be up some night soon and tell her the rest. Thanking you very much, Lottie Picture is Birds Eye View of H A Meldrum Company’s Department Store Porterville is in the town of Marilla
- Postmark 1945 Hi Marty, Got thru the snow alright. Buffalo never looked prettier than the day I arrived. Having a wonderful time seeing the old places & feeding my stomach. See you soon. Love Mike [At top] Are you taking care of my boy? Picture is Our Lady of Victory National Shrine Cadet M. Polaschick, Newton D. Baker Gen. Hosp., Martinsburg, West Virginia (Veteran Medical Center)
- Postmark 1910 We have just had lunch and are going to look around town. Then going over to the Falls and on to Toronto. Wed Aug. 10 – John(?) Picture is Iroquois Hotel
- Postmark 1925 – came postage due $0.01 Dear Hattie & Warren, It took about five hours to get right into Buffalo from Toronto 130 miles on 6 gallons of gas cost for traveling $1.80 & 15 cents for oil. So hurry up and get a tin lizzie like ours and come and see us till we have another good laugh. It might do us a lot of good. I hope you are all well and not working too hard. From Annie Picture is Buffalo Athletic Club
- Postmark 1918 Dear Mom, Just a line to tell you we are picking berries all around the fields for nothing. Will send what we have by Henry tonight and some butter too if I can get it. It is 38 cents here. Look for me Wed. or Thurs, Love to Dad. Also to yourself, Addie Mailed from Wayne, NY to Elmira – Steuben County, north of Bath, NY Picture is Bear Pits, Park Zoo, Buffalo
- Postmark 1909 Frank phoned to North Tonawanda last night. Uncle John is growing weaker all the time and takes little nourishment. Anna “Made Expressly for S. H. Knox & Co. – Printed in Germany Picture is the Old Stone Castle at Fort Porter
- Post Mark 1923 Hello Papa, It’s from Nick in Buffalo. Will see you soon. Nick I picture a 10 year old boy writing this card Picture is the Milburn House with insets of President and Mrs. McKinley
- Postmark 1907 Dear Minnie, The postal you sent is beautiful. I haven’t saw any like it here in Buffalo. Your friend Elsie Made Expressly for S. H. Knox & Co. – Germany Picture is the Milburn House
- Postmark 1908 Dear Auntie, Just to let you know I am in Buffalo once more and its as hot and dry as when I went away. I have a new room and get meals at the old place. Hope you are well and happy with lots of love. Florence New Address 68 Park St. Picture is the Wilcox Mansion – Theodore Roosevelt Inset
- Postmark 1936 Dear Don, Mrs. Anderson just got home and brought us the fish you caught. It is a beauty – thanks ever so much. Hope you catch a lot, Grandma Picture is Bridge in Delaware Park