Aquamaids!

No, I'm not converting The New Found Photography into a postcard blog.  As a matter of fact, I'm going back to photographs soon.

So, Cypress Gardens.  Founded by Dick and Julie Pope in 1936, it was originally a botanic garden.  The Popes were both enthusiastic water skiers, so then came the shows.  Then there was amusement park rides, and before anyone new it, Florida had its first theme park.  Sadly Cypress Gardens couldn't compete with the newly opened Disney World in nearby Orlando.  After a number of ownership changes, Cypress Gardens was purchased by Legoland.  Bye bye water skies, hello plastic blocks.

The caption on the back, "BEAUTY ON PARADE: The Aquamaids of Cypress Gardens ski in four daily water ski shows and really exemplify the youthful spirit of Florida as they skim over the water in formation."

The Pike at Long Beach

Okay, a very quick and not very detailed overview of the Pike amusement zone in Long Beach, California. It started with The Plunge an ocean side bath house built in 1902 that coincided with the extension of a red car interurban line to Long Beach. The pike was the wooden walk way that descended to The Plunge and Long Beach fishing pier from Pine Ave. As time went by, visitation to The Plunge sky rocketed, and other competing attractions were built. A ballroom, an amusement park on the pier, which featured The Cyclone, a dual track roller coaster built on pilings over the ocean in 1936, restaurants and food stands. Beach front amusement zones and piers would eventually loose their popularity. Once common, only a few remain. The Pike was demolished in 1979. Printed on the back, "Published by Newman Post Card Co., Los Angeles, San Francisco." The Newman Post Card Company incorporated in 1902 and survived into the 1960s.