Doe Bay Postcard 1945

Here's a wonderful postcard of a cabin at Doe Bay, on Orcas Island. It's addressed to my great grandma, from her friend Francel. The back reads, "Wed. a.m. Dear Adah, We are having such a nice time, just the four of us. Wish you could come and spend the day with us. The men caught a nice silver this morning, so we are going to have fried salmon for Peg and Al's anniversary today. It is so pretty here, and so much activity on the water all day. We are just enjoying ourselves reading and doing a little cross stitch. Wish I had a sweater started tho. See you soon after we get home. Isn't our cabin cute? Love, Francel." The card is postmarked August 1st, 1945...67 years ago, today.

Postcard from Dolphin

Dolphin Bay was a settlement on Orcas Island, founded by Freeman Iotte. It eventually became a community, in the early 1900s, that even had its own school and post office. Freeman Iotte was the father-in-law of my great-great-grandpa's daughter, Mary Emma. Freeman and Mary Emma are buried next to each other on Orcas Island.

The postcard was sent July 26, 1916. Mary Emma tells her father (my great-great grandpa), and sister Ada (my great grandma), that they are all well and have been picking berries and selling soap. She tells that her daughters Goldia and Myrtle are doing fine, and that it has done nothing but rain for the past two weeks.

I love these types of artifacts; little bits of history that give insight into what the lives of those who went before us were like. It's especially interesting living in the same area as they did. People often comment about the remoteness of the islands in this day and age, yet imagine what it was like in the little community of Dolphin, in 1916!

English Camp Postcard

It's a sign that many are familiar with, and here it is shown on an undated postcard. I'm always surprised, with this collection my family has, how I can come across items that I don't remember seeing before. It's truly fascinating to me. I enjoy seeing the mementos of the island that my family kept, signifying the importance of these places in their lives.

English Camp

Cascade Falls Postcard

Here's an interesting postcard, addressed to my great-grandma, in 1914. It reads, "Dear Ada, Your class is going down to Newhall's Lagoon this (Wednesday afternoon). Be at O.H. Culvers with your lunch at 4 P.M. F. Mullis." I darkened the back of the postcard so that it would be easier to read. It's interesting to think about the days before email, cell phones, and other quick means of communication, and how sending a postcard might be the fastest way of getting news to someone...even in your own town!

Some additional things of interest; O.H. Culvers established the port at Friday Harbor, and F. Mullis is presumably Frank Mullis, renowned island builder and contractor. 

Keep Your Ducks Off My Land...

What do you do when someone's ducks won't stay off your land? Send them a postcard warning them to keep them off! I guess that's what one Friday Harbor community member decided to do, when my Great-Great-Grandpa Henry's ducks wouldn't stay off their land.

The postcard reads,"Do as you want other people to do. I write to give you warning to at once keep your ducks off my land." It is postmarked May 4, 1910. Times sure have changed, communication wise.

Front of postcard

Back of postcard

Eastsound Postcard

I love this postcard, which was sent in 1915, to my great-great grandfather on San Juan Island, from his daughter on Orcas Island. It reads, "Fishing is always good here at East Sound." Looks like it!