Northern Illinois University Digital Library

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Postcard Collection

The Regional History Center's postcard collection provides a unique source for photographic and artistic documentation of people, places and events, with the majority being produced during the 1900-1940 period. Many of the cards in this collection came from four manuscript collections held by the Regional History Center: W.W. Embree (RC 2); Sabin-Van Arsdale (RC 32); Kavadas (RC 50); and Hall Family (RC 117). A fair amount of the collection consists of cards depicting scenes or events from the Northern Illinois region and Illinois. Also representative in the collection are postcards of other states, national holidays and special occasions, American Indians, foreign countries, advertisements, and calendars and blotters.

For more information about this collection, please see the Center's finding aid.

Hospital from Riverview Park. Greetings from Kankakee, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Kankakee, Dear friend, I would of wrote to you before but I lost yours and all the other girls addresses I just found them yesterday. I like it here very well. our address is 153 Chicago av Kankakee Ill. From your friend Marion Howland. Sent To: Miss Helen Baldwin, 523 S. Second St., DeKalb, Illinois, Kankakee, Commercial/Business, Medical, Place
Untitled
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee Center, Ill. ca. 1910. unidentified woman standing near brush pile, Lee, People, Women and Gender
Main Street Cortland Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Cortland, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Main Street, Economic Development
Near Lee Center
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee, Place
Main Street. DeKalb, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Main St. also known as Lincoln Highway. View is looking west from 4th Street., DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Economic Development
1st Congregational Church DeKalb, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, 200 South 2nd Street, DeKalb, Religious, Place, Second Street, Religion
Rock River from Howell Park - Dixon, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Dixon, Lee, Place
Main St Lee Center
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Dear Friend: I have fooled around as usual and waited until you are ready to come home before sending a card. I am so glad to hear that you are better. We get along fine with Florence she is a good little girl. She cries to go home when she gets sleepy but wakes up happy. Mrs L. Sent To: Mrs. Emma Frost, Dixon, Ill., Dixon Hospital., Lee, Commercial/Business, Residential, Place, Main Street, Economic Development
Winders Residence
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Malta, March 19-'08. Winders Residence., DeKalb, Residential, Place
View from Sinissippi Heights, Rock River Scenery Sterling, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Sterling, From my dear Tom, Aug 20-07., Whiteside, Place
Overhanging Rocks in Picnic Area - Illinois White Pines Forest State Park
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Ogle, Place, Illinois White Pines Forest State Park
Rock River Assembly, Dixon, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Dixon, Aug. 22, '07 From Tom, Lee, Place
Pioneer Cabins - Illinois White Pines Forest State Park
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Ogle, Place, Illinois White Pines Forest State Park
'Recreation.--It's Lots of Fun Dancing.' Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Rockford, Winnebago, Government, People, Place, Camp Grant
Township High School, DeKalb, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, DeKalb, Educational, Place, Education
Untitled
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee Center, Ill. ca. 1910. Unidentified family by old house, Lee, Residential, People, Place
Base Street, Fulton, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Fulton, My dear Mrs. B., I was so sorry to hear of your terrible accident. Mrs. Sweet(?) sent me a paper. I hope you may gain as fast as possible and have good courage. With love, Hattie S. Sent To: Mrs. Geo W. Baldwin, 523 S. 2nd St., DeKalb, Illinois, Whiteside, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Excavating for I.O.O.F. Hall, Lee Center, Ill, Apr. 12, 1913.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee, Industrial, People
Street View Lee Center
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Sent To: Mrs Hellen Hodges, Ogden City, 1265 Washington Ave, Utah. Post card was written by Mrs. Chas. Frost. [end of card has been cut off], Lee, Residential, Place, Economic Development
Our Workshop, Edgar A Shetter's Jewelry Store
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Our Workshop Right the First Time is Our Motto, Talk to Shetter, 214 East Main Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Edgar A. Shetter's Jewelry Store, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Industrial, People, Place, Main Street, Economic Development
Main St. Lee Center Ill
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee, Commercial/Business, Residential, People, Place, Main Street, Economic Development
West Main Street, Showing Normal School in Distance, DeKalb, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, This is the town for you. ha ha. Sent to Miss Victoria Bilisle, c/o Manchester Dry Goods Co., Manchester, N. H. View is of Main Street, DeKalb, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Educational, Place, Normal School, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Economic Development, Education
Pavillion at Assembly Park, Dixon, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Dixon, Lee, Place, Entertainment
Lee Center Public School Nov. 9 - 1923.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee Center, Ill. Photo almost identical to previous image., Lee, Educational, People, Place, Education
The Hennepin Canyon, Starved Rock, Illinois State Park.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, STARVED ROCK, ILLINOIS STATE PARK. Contains about 1,000 acres, located in La Salle County. Winding through the forest with high, echoing rocks festooned with climbing vines on either side, we continue to follow the trail through banks of bushes and ferns and wild flowers, untill we reach the very heart of the great HENNEPIN canyon, where the music of the cascade mingles with the sweet notes of woodland songsters -- a scene that never fails to delight the tourist, making the pleasure trip one long to be remembered., Lasalle, Place, Starved Rock State Park