trisha faye

Traces of a friendship over a hundred years ago remain in the postcards Pauline Washburn sent to her friend Arlie Shinkle. Enjoy the journey of their friendship through these postcards from 1907 to 1913.
The historic images on these 21 post cards, along with the words inscribed on the back, take us back to a different time and place. The first cards are sent from Pauline in Bloomington IL to Arlie in Ellsworth IL. Images showcase East Side Square in Bloomington IL, Main Building, Illinois State Normal University, Normal IL and others typical of popular early 1900’s postcard.
Postcards after 1910 were sent from Los Angeles CA, showcasing many historic features of southern California: the California Alligator Farm, a steam engine traveling through orange groves, bathing at Long Beach, the National Orange Show in San Bernardino, Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, an assortment of New Year’s cards, and Pauline’s photograph postcard gracing the cover.
A bonus 1911 postcard from another friend, Millie, shows Sauble Inn in Ludington, Michigan, with a period motor car.
A brief history about early postcards follows the images. Information on Miller Park in Bloomington and Old Settler’s picnics in McLean County IL, both mentioned in the correspondence, are included as historical background to the two friends.
Come along and join us as we travel back in time, thanks to the traces of the past these women left us.