Relaxing in Texas

Good Luck Oil station, 2631 Ross Avenue, Dallas.
Photo taken in 1982 by Leta Patterson.

Holiday Inn, 10319 South Main Street, Houston.

Seahorse Motel, Galveston.

Villa Capri Motor Hotel, Denton.

Castle Mo-tel, 1125 North 11th Street, Beaumont.

LINK: Pictures from Red Oak Kid's photostream on Flickr.

Airplane Cards

These cards are from a series of 40 American Heritage Cards produced by the Milton Bradley Company in 1961.

The Lockheed Vega, first introduced in 1927, set a new standard for all purpose passenger carrying aircraft. In June 1931 Wiley Post and Harold Gatty lifted the "Winnie Mae" off the Roosevelt Field runway in New York to fly around the world. More info on Wikipedia.

The National Air Races, held annually from 1926 until 1939, provided an exciting stimulant to aviation development. Perhaps the most unique racers built for this competition were the "Gee-Bees" designed by Bob Hall. More info on Wikipedia.

In the 1920's the Ford Motor Company was the best known name in industry and when Henry Ford went into the aviation business the nation sat up and took notice. The Ford Tri-Motor affectionately known as the "Tin Goose," was one of the finest airplanes ever built in America. More info on Wikipedia.

One of the most graceful flying boats ever built. the Boeing 314 Clipper went into service for Pan American Airways in 1939. Only 12 of these ocean spanning giants were ever constructed by Boeing, but their fame was world wide. More info on Wikipedia.

The famous "DC line" of Douglas propeller driven transport planes, begun in the mid 1930's, reached its ultimate development with the DC-7. This comfortable, dependable plane, introduced in 1953, soon became the mainstay of airlines all over the world. More info on Wikipedia.

Real American Women

Girls with the neighbors kitty in the 1940's.

Old Ironsides "Sailorette" in the 1950's.

USS Constitution is a wooden hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named after the Constitution of the United States of America by President George Washington, she is the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat in the world.

The belle's from Cypress Gardens in 1958.

Cypress Gardens opened on January 2, 1936 as a botanical garden planted by Dick and Julie Pope. Over the years, it became one of the biggest attractions in Florida, known for its water ski shows, lush gardens, and Southern Belle models.

A latin beauty in the Olvera St parade in 1967.

Olvera Street is in the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, California, and is part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Many Latinos refer to it as "La Placita Olvera." Circa 1911 it was described as Sonora Town.

Babes at the Artwalk in San Francisco, 1984.

LINK: Photos from "actionlog" on Flickr. Thanks Ryan!

CA Train Stations

Former Santa Fe station in Claremont, CA built in 1927, now restored for Metrolink commuter rail to Union Station in Los Angeles. Notice the distinctive Santa Fe emblem on the door, giving evidence of its past service.

Built by the San Francisco & San Joaquin Valley Railroad in 1899 that was sold to Santa Fe. A $6 million renovation by the City of Fresno was recently completed. It has lots of available office space but Amtrak seems to be the only current tenant.

Built by Southern Pacific Railroad in 1924 and restored about 10 years ago. Now used by Amtrak and Metrolink commuter lines north from Los Angeles Union Station.

Built in 1924 by Union Pacific Railroad in the middle of the Mojave desert (about 1/2 way between LA and Las Vegas and miles from the closest Interstate or State highway) more to serve railroad crews and workers than local resident snakes and lizards. It was closed by the railroad in 1985 and recently restored to become the visitor's center for the Mojave National Preserve.

Beautifully restored AT&SF, Amtrak station, and Harvey House hotel, Casa del Desierto. Built in 1911. Also houses the Western America Railroad Museum.

LINK: To see more of Ron's Reiring's collection visit kla4067's photostream on Flickr.

The Nugget Casino's

Carson City Nugget, Carson City, Nevada. The Nugget has earned the reputation of being the Carson City's "Monte Carlo".

The Nugget Reno - 233 No. Virginia St., Reno Nevada - Jim Kelley's "Nugget" Double Jackpots every 15 minutes.

Opposite Harold's Club, in downtown Reno.

Featuring the finest food, your favorite Drinks, and PLENTY OF FUN and EXCITEMENT during DOUBLE JACKPOT games. "You will be a stranger just once".

The Nugget Club "Home of more Jackpots" In the Heart of Down-town Reno, Nevada. Restaurant, Bar, Casino and Slot Machines with Metered Jackpots.

See America by Rail

Amtrak employs nearly 19,000 people. It operates passenger service on 21,000 miles of track primarily owned by freight railroads connecting 500 destinations in 46 states. In fiscal year 2008, Amtrak served 28.7 million passengers, representing six straight years of record ridership.

Amtrak - EMD F40PH - Green River Desert, Floy, Utah - May, 1989 - Eastbound Amtrak California Zephyr traverses the lunar surface between Solitude and Floy, Utah on the Rio Grande.

Amtrak - GE P32-8BWH - ATSF Stockton Subdivision - Orwood, California, March, 1993.

Amtrak - EMD F40PH - Woodside, Utah - June 12, 1989 - Thunderstorms blacken the Book Cliffs of the Green River Desert as a 15 car westbound Zephyr races out of desolate Woodside, Utah, on the Rio Grande.

Amtrak - EMD F40PH - MP 572.2 Tunnel 21 - Pryor, Oregon - August 26, 1991 - Haze from forest fires adds a surreal element to this view of Amtrak's southbound Coast Starlight climbing the western slopes of the Oregon Cascades near sunset.

LINK: To see more great railroad photographs from Blair Kooistra visit Railpictures.Net

Good Eats! Postcards

Bart's Charcoal Broiler and Saddle Room - Longview,
Washington - Famous for Barbecued Chicken and Steak.

Bel Air Motel and Restaurant - Fresno, California
Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Bob's Chicken Shack Restaurant - Boulder City, Nevada
Best Food by a Damsite!

Mickelsons Cafe - Nephi, Utah - Welcome!

Sun Star Motel and The Pancake House - Los Banos,
California - Burgers, Chicken and Steak.

LINK: Photos from "actionlog" on Flickr. Thanks Ryan!

The Railroad - 1954

The Railroad, "Furnished Through Courtesy of Santa Fe System Lines". A 1954 booklet (shown in part) from my Santa Fe memorabilia collection. Produced by the Santa Fe, it uses the Santa Fe story to illustrate all American railroading, and American enterprise.

This booklet tells of American railroads. It has been prepared in response to many requests that come in, year after year, from teachers and students. It sketches a little of the romance, the daring and resourcefulness and fierce competition that have marked the development of American railroads into the greatest rapid transportation network the human race has ever known, an essential part of the mighty industrial civilization that has rocketed the United States into world leadership.

For Your Amusement

Margate, New Jersey is the home of Lucy the Margate Elephant, the “largest elephant in the world” and is also the oldest remaining example of zoomorphic architecture left in the United States. Over 124 years old, she has been painstakingly restored and is toured by thousands of fans each year. (Photo: circa 1949)

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox are the names of a pair of large statues of the American folkhero Paul Bunyan and his ox, located in Bemidji, Minnesota. This roadside attraction has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988. (Photo: circa 1955)

Dutch Wonderland is a 48-acre amusement park just east of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, appealing primarily to families with small children. The park's theme is a "Kingdom for Kids." The entrance to the park has a real stone castle facade, which was built by Earl Clark, a potato farmer, before he opened the park in 1963. (Photo: circa 1964)

Storyland Cinderellas Pumkin coach - Story Land is a theme park located in Glen, one of three villages of Bartlett, New Hampshire. (Photo: circa 1969)

Wooden shoe slide at Nelis' Dutch Village, Holland, Michigan. This theme park features buildings of authentic Dutch architecture, brick walkways, canals, gardens and special presentations depicting life in a typical village in the Netherlands in the late 1800's. (Photo: circa 1970)

LINK: Photos from "actionlog" on Flickr. Thanks Ryan!

Art Corner Catalogue

For those of you that are interested in a rare piece of 1956 Disneyland history, the Art Corner Catalogue is up for bids at Hake's Americana and Collectibles auction. It ends September 10, 2009 at 12:00 PM (Noon) EDT - The high bid is at $170.50.


DESCRIPTION: 5.5x8.5” with 8 pages copyright 1956. Each page margin has same Disney character images, they are all depicted as artists and include Donald, Dopey, Pluto, Chip/Dale, Pinocchio, Dumbo. Twenty-five items for sale are listed and thoroughly described and include character guides, flip books, original celluloid drawings, animation kit, art supplies, etc. Nice cover art of Mickey painting Disney character portraits. Slightest wear, Exc. A great reference to the items offered by The Art Corner. This item was originally sold through “Disney Auctions” and comes with their COA.