The Fairview Motel

Before Motel 6, before the Best Western, there were a lot of these small, family owned motels all over America.  And then, the interstate highway system was built, bypassing small towns, and isolating all those motels from cross country travelers.  Those small motels would give out postcards for their guests, kind of a cheap advertising method.  I have to wonder how many people thought that a motel card was a better choice than one of the local tourist attraction.

And the caption on the back, "FAIRVIEW MOTEL, 3230 Commercial Ave., Madison 4, Wisconsin.  Free Television-Radio-Air-Conditioned Phone Cherry 4-9996.  On Highway 30 just off 51 and 151  Restaurants Nearby.  Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Biehl."

I wonder how many rooms,per night,  Mr and Mrs Biehl had to rent to break even. .

Be Careful of What You Do

I've posted a few cards from photographer De Witt C. Wheeler before.  Near as I can tell, his career was limited to taking sentimental photos used for glass lantern slides, postcards, and the Nickelodeon market.  Basically, there was dead space between reels, so one of Wheeler's images would get a minute or two of screen time to keep the audience entertained.

In addition to the brief comment penciled above the caption, there's a message on the back, "Jan 11th, 1910.  I was glad to hear from you.  Come down any time and I will give you a great time.  I am on 10-7 this week 2-10 next.  Any time you come down you will find me at Frank Harding's or the mill.  C.E.D."  The card's addressed to "Mr. Orin Delon, Solon. Me."  And the postmark, "MADISON 1910 JAN 11 8 AM ME."

There were a lot of textile mills in Maine, and a lot of the mill workers were women, so was C.E.D. a woman asking her boyfriend to come on down for a visit, or was C.E.D. a man and inviting his pal down to raise some hell?

Once again, from the illustrated song series.  Click on flirtation labels to see more, or De Witt C. Wheeler just for his photos.  And need I say it, the moon was drawn in?

The Fountain of Love

Is that water bottled?  Written on the back, "How are your dances prospering?  Rec'd yours O. 12.  Your remedy is pretty good but I should wait to practice  it oftener.  Tell that kid brother of yours to wake up.  Vivian"  Mailed to "Mr. Earle Wilbur, Headwater, Maine"  There is a postmark, but it's very faded.  I think it's from Madison, Maine...well, that's just my best guess.  I have checked an atlas, and no Headwater, Maine is listed.  Small towns do disappear, but it's more likely that it was absorbed into a larger community.

And of, course, clicking on flirtation in the labels section will bring up the whole collection.