Miss Lillian's Postcards - Stella Sends a Quick Update

Sender: Stella
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, 1903 G Terry Av., Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St Louis, MO
Date: August 30, 1909
Image: Round Lake Forest Park, St. Louis, Mo.

Round Lake in Forest Park of St Louis still features this large fountain, a lovely display, and looks rather unchanged since 1909.

Message:

Dear Lillian

Rec'd your card this

A.M. forgot that I

owed you a letter,

thought you would

be home by now.

haven't seen Kate

for a long time

Just got back from 

my vacation, 

took a trip to

Chicago had a fine

time, will write later.

Kindest regards to all

Lovingly, Stella

Stella wrote Lillian's address incorrectly in this postcard, although I would think that the postman had no problem delivering it. But lest anyone doubt it, the postman crossed out the street address with a note that it was not correct.

Stella, who is a close friend or family member, writes a quick postcard with an explanation of her lateness in writing (a vacation in Chicago), with a promise to write a full letter later. It is interesting that she writes "I thought you would be home by now", implying that she thought Lillian would return to St Louis from Seattle by this time. We know that Lillian went to Seattle for health reasons (staying with her sister and brother-in-law). So she must have left St Louis with no firm plan as to how long her stay would be. Of course, I know that she chose to stay in Seattle. I wonder what all the family and friends in St Louis thought of her choice.

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweet from Mother

Sender: Mother
Addressee: Miss Lilian Maguire, #1902 g Terry Ave, Seattle, Washington
Postmark: St Louis, MO
Date: November 6, 1908
Image: Merchants Bridge, St. Louis, MO.

According to Wikipedia, the Merchants Bridge is a rail bridge crossing the Mississippi River in St. Louis, MO. It opened in May 1889 and is over 4, 000 feet long. To experience crossing this bridge while on a train, check out this video on YouTube.

Message:

Dear Lilly

I have sent a package

by express today so

you can be on the look

out for it. Hope all

feel well we are 

all well.

Love to all from all

Your Mother

This is so lovely, to see a postcard to Lillian from her mother. I love her closing "Love to all from all". To all means Lillian, her sister Anne, and Anne's husband Ade, who all live at 1902 G Terry Avenue. I am guessing that "from all" means that Lillian has one or more siblings still at home with her parents. In time we will see postcards from these siblings. I wonder what is in the package that Lilly's mother sent. What merited sending it by express? All we can do is wonder!

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweet with the Latest News

Postcard 37

Sender: Ida Eilts
Addressee: Miss Lilian Maguire, 1902 G Terry Ave, Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St Louis, MO
Date: Sep 25, 1908
Image: Holland Building, Seventh Street near Olive, St. Louis, Mo.

Built in 1896, the Holland Building was the tallest building in St Louis MO when it was new. So when Ida sent this postcard to Lillian, this building was one of the most interesting and beautiful office skyscrapers in the St. Louis central business district. This attractive and notable building housed predominantly medical and dental offices and was full of all the latest conveniences, such as elevators, restrooms on each floor, and piped iced water on each floor. It was demolished in 1973.

Message:

Dear Lilian; - 

Guess you

think I have for-

gotten you. No, I 

never. How are

you? I'm fine 

& dandy. Florence

married the man

she always told

us she was en-

gaged to. Mr. Ed.

Medill.

Linda got married

last week.

Ida Eilts 

I love this message! I wonder what Lillian thought of the news? Starting with assurances that she has not forgotten Lillian and never would, Ida tells Lillian the latest news: Florence and Linda have married! I am assuming these are women in Lillian's circle of friends. Of particular note is the way Ida phrases the news about Florence, implying some original skepticism regarding Florence's claims to being engaged: "Florence married the man she always told us she was engaged to." Well, she was telling the truth after all - now that's a juicy bit of news. Ha ha!

1907 Fashion

Miss Lillian's Vintage Postcards: With Affection From Lizzie

Postcard 36

Sender: Lizzie Mulvey
Addressee: Miss Lilian Maguire, 1902 G Terry Av, Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St Louis, MO
Date: Aug 24, 1908
Image: Reproduction of painting - outdoor scene labeled "Late Fall"

You can just barely see the title of this scene at the center bottom of the postcard - "Late Fall". It certainly looks like winter. The small figure in the lower right corner is most likely a person bringing in the harvest. It is a chilly scene for a postcard sent in August. :)

Message:

Dear Lillian,

Your postal

was received and more

than glad to hear from you

hoping to hear from you real

soon again. We certainly 

did have nice times

together. With much love,

Lizzie Mulvey

This is the first time we have heard from Lizzie, who is apparently a long-time friend of Lillian's from St Louis. Lizzie penciled this message in reply to a postal from Lillian. She recalls the nice times they had together, and signs it affectionately. How very sweet. :)

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweets: Tillie Has a Nice Vacation

Postcard 33

Sender: Tillie
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, 1902 G" Terry Ave, Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St Louis MO
Date: July 21, 1908
Image: Nature art (spring; polychrome art series)

Well, there's not much information about this art reproduction. The picture paints a lovely spring scene in nature. The trees are just starting to leaf out and is that a flowering cherry tree in the center?

Message:

Hello, Lillian; - 

How are you, I 

received your pretty postal,

was very glad to hear

from you, and I thank

you very much. I had

my vacation last week,

had a fine time. I

will write later, and tell

you all about it. Hoping

you are all well, and I

hear from you again soon.

Your friend, Tillie

Lillian's former co-worker, Tillie, sends a hello to Lillian in this postcard. She thanks Lillian for her last postcard, lets her know she just had a week of vacation and will write later with the details in a letter. Now if only I had those letters! :)

A lovely blouse with jabot and beautifully trimmed vest (1907)

Miss Lillian's Postcards: Vintage Tweets - Time to Get Out of St Louis for Keeps!

Postcard 028

Sender:  C. M. De Rinza French Lady
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, 1902 G Terry Ave, Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: St. Louis, MO
Date: June 4, 1908
Image: Wabash Bridge, Forest Park, St Louis, MO

I suspect that this bridge no longer exists, but in this postcard it looks relatively new and very picturesque. Forest Park is still in St Louis. This very large park is a major center for the city, with civic buildings, a zoo, and a golf course. If I ever visit St Louis, I'll have to be sure to visit Forest Park!

Message: 

Dear Lillian,
I am so glad
you are so well
pleased with your
new home & sincerely
hope it will bring
back your health
which after all is 
the greatest blessing
of all. I trust I may
be as fortunate
as you & get out next 
spring for keeps no 
returning for me.
Thanks for your postal.
Linda left us last Saturday
& Florence Abel leaves this [sic]
Things are changing rapidly.
With love from C. M. De Rinza

French Lady

The message on this postcard is very warm and confiding. It emphasizes the gift of health, and informs us that health in that time period was not a secure thing. It also seems to indicate that young women of Lillian's circle were all anxious to leave St. Louis. In addition to Lillian, Linda and Florence have left (married? simply moved? where did they go?) and this writer, the "French Lady", intends to leave too, "for keeps". This is such an interesting and intriguing peek into young women's life at that time!

Afternoon Dress 1907

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweets from 1908: Miss Lillian is in Seattle!

Postcard 024

Sender: Elsie
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, 1902G Terry Av., Seattle, Wash.
Postmark: East St Louis, Ill.
Date: April 27, 1908
Image: First Presbyterian Church, East St. Louis, Ill.
Message: 

Dear Lillian,

By the time this

reaches you, you 

will be with the

Kidders. I hope you

arrived safely &

enjoyed your trip.

Be sure to write soon.

I rec'd your postal

from St. Paul.
Love, Elsie

This postcard features a lovely church in East St Louis that was probably newly built or relatively newly built. Whether the building still stands, I do not know. East St Louis, Illinois is located across the Mississippi River from St Louis,Missouri.

What is exciting about this postcard is the fact that Miss Lillian has traveled to Seattle, Washington, where her sister and brother-in-law live (Anne and Adolph Mueller). She is staying with the Kidder family, about whom we know nothing. Are they family? Are they friends? And how long is Miss Lillian staying? Why is she not staying with her sister? So many questions!

According to this postcard from Elsie, Miss Lillian traveled through St Paul, Minnesota on her way to Seattle. I believe the only Amtrak passenger train between Seattle and Chicago still goes through St Paul. I have taken that train ride, but I suspect that it took me much less time than it took Miss Lillian in 1908.  I look forward to learning more about this adventure!

1907 Fashion

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweets: Miss Lillian Has Moved!

Postcard 022

Sender: Sister of Lillian, Anne Mueller
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, #1315 N. Taylor Ave., St. Louis Mo
Postmark: Seattle, WASH.
Date: March 24, 1908
Image: State Capitol, Carson City, Nevada
Message: 

Dear L,

Your letter, also

M. B's received & as

I cant possibly use 

another "centrepiece

tulip design" I don't 

think I'll give myself

any extra work by 

opening correspondence

with her. Love from,

Yours A.

 

The Nevada state capitol is an historic building that still stands in Carson City. Follow the link and then click on the photo of the capitol building to view more pictures, including a picture taken when it was newly built (1870-ish).

This postcard from Anne to her sister Lillian is such fun! First we can see by the address that Lillian has moved out from home. My, my! We have no idea why. We can only speculate that she was ready to be out on her own. Is it possible that she is staying with family or a friend in another part of St. Louis?

And then the message is so funny! We get to see a bit of personality from Anne. "I can't possibly use another "centrepiece tulip design"? I am guessing that Anne did not care for too much hand embroidery, nor for M B. (clearly not a close friend! :) It's a LOL moment! And what does a "centrepiece tulip design" look like? Possibly something like this (image courtesy of Windstar Embroidery Designs):

I am curious regarding why Anne received yet another centrepiece tulip design - for her birthday, perhaps?

Looking Back - 1907 Fashion 

 

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweets from the 1900s - An Invitation to a Sunday Visit

Postcard 017

Sender: Lillian R. Moy [undecipherable squiggle]
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire,  3004 Vine Grove Ave., City
Postmark: St. Louis, MO
Date: July 15, 1907
Image: View from Compton Heights Water Tower, St. Louis, MO
Message: 

Dear Lil & Kate:

Don't forget: you girls

are due at our house the

last Sunday this month,

July 28th. You know where

we live, if not, write a [note] I 

will so inform you. Till

then,Yours truly,

Lillian R. Moy [undecipherable squiggle]

 

Built in 1898, the Compton Heights Water Tower was on the highest point in St. Louis at that time and was surrounded by a lovely manicured park. It remains a monument and tourist attraction to this day.

An invitation! And Lillian, shortened to "Lil" here, has a sister, Kate (in addition to her older sister Anne)!  How exciting! The two girls apparently get to go on a Sunday visit to Lillian Moy's home. What is that undecipherable squiggle at the end of the sender's name?

 A fashionable gown from 1907

Miss Lillian's Postcards - Vintage Tweets from the 1900s: Miss Lillian Has a Job!

Postcard 011

Sender: Miss Tillie Lange
Addressee: Miss Lillian McQuire [sic], c/o Luyties Hom. Phar., Laclede & Vanderventer Ave, City
Postmark: St Louis, MO
Date: March 27, 1907
Image: Teacher's College, St Louis, MO
Message:

Thank you very 

much for [the] pretty card.

I remain,

Miss Tillie Lange

3545 Nebraska Av

City

 

Looking very brand new, the Teacher's College began offering in-service education for St. Louis white teachers as early as 1906.

The Teacher's College

The Teacher's College building is still standing and in use (but no longer a school) in St Louis, and is listed on the National Historic Register. Here are two images of the building I snagged from Google Maps  (which is located at 1517 S Theresa Ave in St Louis).

Working at Luyties Homeopathic Pharmacy

Equally interesting is that the post card is addressed to Miss Lillian not at home but at a work address!  Now, Lillian was born in 1882, so she is about 24 (almost 25) at this time. Since she has not married, it is interesting that she is working at Luyties Homeopathic Pharmacy, at the intersection of Laclede and Vanderventer Avenues (just across from St Louis University today). Perhaps she was a clerk?

Below is the building at intersection of Laclede and Vanderventer Avenues (aside from a public storage building and St Louis University grounds), and it was built in 1896! Called the Gerhart Block, it is also on the National Register of Historic Places. So this is most likely a place that Miss Lillian either worked in, or (if the building she worked in has since been demolished) she saw every work day at this point in her life.

Miss Tillie Lanage

And with this postcard, we meet Miss Tillie Lange, who sounds quite formal in her thank you. She must be a relatively new acquaintance, because she misspells Miss Lillian's last name. Since she provided her address, I looked it up too on Google Maps, and found this charming home. It was built in 1897!

Miss Lillian's Postcards: Vintage Tweets from the 1900s - Living in Victorian-Edwardian St Louis MO

What did 3004 Vine Grove Avenue in St Louis, Missouri, look like when Lillian and her family lived there in 1906? I was curious about this, so I used Google Earth to investigate.

Here is the building that currently sits at 3004 Vine Grove Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. And when I researched this house on real estate sites, it turns out it was built in 1892. So this is definitely the house Miss Lillian is living in at the beginning of our journey through her postcards! It consists of 1350 square feet (not too big, not too small). And since it was built in 1892, it is only 14 years old, so relatively new for the Maguire family.

The house is situated in the Greater Ville neighborhood, and is not too far from many St. Louis attractions. To guess what this house might have looked like on the inside, I searched on the Internet for Victorian and Edwardian home floor plans, and found this, which has similarities:

You can find this on the PBS site for Life in a 1900 House (which was a very cool series, by the way!).

Miss Lillian's Postcards: Vintage Tweets from the 1900s - Christine in Illinois

Postcard 004

Sender: Christine
Addressee: Miss Lillian Maguire, 3004 Vine Grove St., St Louis, MO
Postmark: Pana, Illinois
Date: August 14, 1906
Image: Reproduction of a painted nature scene
Message: [This is the second "picture post" with no message, but the sender's handwriting matches up nicely with the previous postcard.]

The nature scene on this postcard is rather generic, but it is evocative of the small town of Pana, Illinois. The image below is taken from the Pana Chamber of Commerce website, and includes a bridge dated 1910 - built only a few years after Christine visited the town. Since Pana, Illinois is a very small town, I am guessing that Christine is perhaps visiting friends or family there.

Introducing Miss Lillian's Postcards: Vintage Tweets from the 1900s

Long before Twitter and Facebook (let alone computers!), people used "penny postcards" (also called "postals") to send short messages, quick thoughts, and brief acknowledgments, often as an interim between letters.  Letters, of course, contained "full" correspondence.

I own an album of vintage postcards that begin in 1906 (the Gibson Girl era!), with the last card posted 1953. I thought it would be fun to share this vintage treasure with you. It is a journey to another time, looking at another life in snippets.

The life we are going get a peek at is the original collector of the cards, Miss Lillian Martha Maguire (born in 1882, died in 1974). The cards are mostly messages beween her and family and friends, while some are simply a record of places she visited (the images on postcards served as a record, in those days before people commonly had cameras).

How did I come to own these? Miss Maguire was an elderly neighbor who lived two doors up the street from the house where I grew up in Seattle (back in the 1950s and 1960s), and was single all her life. She was a member of the same church as our family (St Benedict's Catholic Church), and upon her death, she left her estate to the church. From the estate my mother purchased the album of postcards and a painting (I'll talk more about that in a later post). When my mother passed away about 10 years ago, I inherited both the painting and this album of postcards.

That was a bit longer introduction than I had planned. I hope that you find this series interesting. :) Let the journey begin!

Postcard 001

Sender: Sister of Lillian, Anne (and husband Adolph) Mueller
Addressee: Mrs. H. Maguire, 3004 Vine Grove Ave, St Louis, MO, USA
Postmark: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date: July 17, 1906
Image: Stony Creek Bridge
Message:

Dear Mama,
We arrived here safe & sound & only 10 minutes late. We leave on the "Princess Victoria" for Seattle at 1 P.M. expect to get in there at 11 to-night. I guess Papa is home by now. We have traveled 3590 miles so far, & the trip is just grand. Love to all.

                                                             A & A

We crossed this bridge & my heart was in my neck all the time, this is a very deep canyon.      A.