Northern Illinois University Digital Library

Primary tabs

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.

First Methodist Church, DeKalb, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, N.W. corner of Oak and 4th Streets, DeKalb, Religious, Place, Fourth Street, Oak Street, Religion
The Wild Cat 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. At every turn of the old Indian trails there is an exhibit of natural forest beauty, where thousands of pleasure-seekers come and go each year. Here, there is much to instruct and and charm us as we wander through the forest or descend the wooded banks and rocky cliffs to the ever-interesting canyons. The beautiful WILD CAT canyon is, indeed, worth traveling many miles to see., Lasalle, Place, Starved Rock State Park
De Kalb County Infirmary, De Kalb, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Located on Sycamore Road, DeKalb, Place, Sycamore Road
The La Salle 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. If you are partial to wild flowers of rare beauty, or if your taste is for forest plants and shrubbery; if you are a lover of water scenes, or charmed with the rippling music of cascades, you will visit this Park and follow the wooded drive to the LA SALLE canyon. Here, in the forest, amid trailing vines and wild berry bushes, you will find the unmolested ferns in their native soil. Here are mountain-like bluffs and quiet valleys abounding with interest. Every variety of forest tree known in this part of the world is here. This, to, is the home of forest birds., Lasalle, Place, Starved Rock State Park
Deer Park Canyon, Near 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. When we visit the Starved Rock Park with nothing to do but tour the places of interest, we are very apt to take a pleasure drive and view the beautifl falls in the DEER PARK canyon. We will venture a trip thru the caves, we will drink from the cool bubbling springs in the sunken gardens of forest beauty; then, charmed with the music of rippling water as it falls from the rocky cliffs, turn to our friends and say: "This, indeed is a scene which might well enlist the poet's pen and the artist's brush"!, Lasalle, Place, Starved Rock State Park
De Kalb Ill. Home, 5/5/18
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Home at 924 Shipman Place, DeKalb. From Mrs. Liliberg To Mrs. Lahti; RC 189 Lahti Family Collection, DeKalb, Residential, Place
Fifth St. Looking South - Kirkland Ill -
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Kirkland, July 14, 09. This is Uncle Harley's house. Helen. Sent To: Helen Baldwin, South Second St., DeKalb, Ill., DeKalb, Residential, Place, Fifth Street
April 14 1909 Old School Building Lee Center - Used to Make Road
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee, Educational, Place, Education
Untitled
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee Center, ca. 1910. Four unidentified men in workshop, Lee, Industrial, People
The Tonti 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. There is no other place in the state where one may spend more profitably 'the summer days in Illinois', and in which one may enjoy more rest and lasting pleasure. The Park is a perfect wonderland of forest beauty, where summer days pass like a happy dream. The TONTI canyon here pictured is but one of many canyons of equal beauty to be found in this attractive pleasure-ground., Lasalle, Place, Starved Rock State Park
St. Mary's Catholic Church, DeKalb, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, N.W. corner of 4th and Pine Streets, DeKalb, Religious, Place, Fourth Street, Pine Street, Religion
Boat Racing Rockford, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Rockford, Mr Weaver, I am mailing you a post card which I think will 'look good to you' - I ran across this card while looking for some different views than I had and where I have put the x that looks very much like the 'Gloria' to me, is it? Mr. Brown had a number of us out last night to play 500 so asked Mr. Helmer to give me your address as I wanted to mail you a P.C.S. He thinks if it is the boat it must have been taken when he was on his vacation. It looked to me like the flag and pennant. I should like to receive a P.C. from your place if not too much trouble. E.L. Beaston, 614 Fisher Av. Mch 1-08. Sent To: J. C. Weaver, 341 E. Walnut St.,Lancaster, Pa, Winnebago, People, Place, Entertainment
I.O.O.F. Day, May 13, 1913, Lee Center, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee, Commercial/Business, Equipment, People, Place
North Street, Looking East, Ashton, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Ashton, "1909 Alice Hann" written on face of post card, Lee, Commercial/Business, Place, North Street, Economic Development
First Street, Looking West, Dixon, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Dixon, I hope you will get this card. Tell the girls I will send them a card soon. Hopeing you are all well. I am your friend, Ruby Leavens. Sent To Mrs. Chas. N. Frost, Lee Centre, Ill., Lee, Commercial/Business, Place, First Street, Economic Development
'Strike One.'--Baseball and Other Good Sports for Recreation and Muscle Building. Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Rockford, Winnebago, Government, People, Place, Camp Grant
Gathering Autumn Leaves in Ellwood's Woods, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, DeKalb, Religious, People, Place, Religion
'Elk Rock' on Rock River Along the Black Hawk Trail - Oregon, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Oregon, Ogle, Place
Street Scene Creston, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Creston, Ogle, Residential, Place
April 3 1909 Old School Building Lee Center
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lee Center, Lee, Educational, People, Place, Education
Cut Off, Between Islands, Sterling, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Sterling, Cousin sent this card by Tom & he wants to go there there soon. From Cousin Emma[?] 1905, Whiteside, Place
Morgan Street, North Dixon, Dixon, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Dixon, Lee, Residential, Place
Beautiful Homes in Sandwich, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Sandwich, This is one of the beautiful homes of our town, at the south end of DeKalb Co. J. Earl L. Sent To: Helen Taylor Baldwin, 523 S. 2nd St., DeKalb, Ill, DeKalb, Residential, Place
Third Ward Park, Freeport, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Freeport, (?)was a just in this city July 1906, Y and A., Stephenson, Monumental, Residential, People, Place, Entertainment
Glidden School De Kalb, Ill.
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, 1st and Garden (425 S. First St.), DeKalb, Educational, Place, Glidden School, First Street, Education