Happy New Year

 

Written on the back, "Sylvester, 1955/56" I don't know if Sylvester is the name of the photographer or the last name of the woman in the photo.   Whoever Sylvester was, we can be sure he or she didn't know on which side of midnight this photo was taken.  Rather dressy for a home party.  Printed on Agfa Brovira paper, so far more likely this was taken in Europe than the U.S.

Copyright, Helen Bruce

This one has a very weird detail.  The first and third photos in the column have what looks like a homemade copyright on the border.  Why does someone feel the need to declare a copyright on family snapshots? 

Written on the back of the top photo, "Mother, Dorthy, & David July 1956."  The second, "David July 1956."  The bottom, "Cal, Carol & David July 1956." 

Note the small Kodak camera in the third photo.

The Aerotrain

What can I say?  I like trains.  The Aerotrain wasn't a very successful model.  Part of it was that the age of passenger rail was in the process of dying.  Part, despite the great styling, it wasn't a very good way to travel.  It was manufactured by General Motors and designed by their chief designer, Chuck Jordan.  The passenger cars were modified buses that ran on twin axles with air suspension.  The air suspension was supposed to give a smooth ride, sadly it did not. 

Only a few railroad lines bought the Aerotrain.  This postcard is from the Pennsylvania Railroad.  In 1956 the Aerotrain ran from New York City to Pittsburgh.  From 1956 to 1957, between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.  This particular shot was taken near Paoli, PA and dated 1956, which would put it on the Philadelphia to Pittsburgh route.  It's credited to photographer Clarence Cade.  I found a lot of photos of his, on line, but no biographical information.

Ladies Who Drink

Looks like the same era as yesterday's post, but with alcohol. 

Okay, I scanned a number of square format prints into the computer, and for some odd reason, I didn't bother to look at the back before uploading to the blog.  So, as an addendum, written on the back, "Maria Sompgna, Carol Mercusic, Feb. 56." 

Long Barn 2

In a nutshell, I didn't want to put eight photos in the same post, so I'm just finishing up.  I have no idea if this is the Long Barn Lodge that burned down or the one that's still there.

Long Barn 1

Except for 8/56, nothing is written on these prints, though the seller has told me that they are all from Long Barn, California.

Anyway, Long Barn is what's known as a census designated place.  It's not a true town, but then again it's more than a wide spot on the road.  Long Barn started out as a nineteenth century wagon stop near Sonora Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  By the 1920s, a resort, The Long Barn Lodge, opened for customers.  The original lodge burned down in 2002, and was not rebuilt.  Believe it or not, it wasn't insured.   There was a second lodge that's still in operation.  It has motel rooms, private cabins,  a swimming pool, ice skating rink, a hall for events.  It's a popular wedding venue.  And, of course, Long Barn is surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest and is only a couple of hours from Yosemite National Park, so there's plenty of hiking.