Treasure Box Thursday!

Hello Folks, it's that time of the week again!  I'm always amazed that each week, there are indeed new items online waiting for me to share with you!  Hope you like this batch of fun area antiques for your treasure box!

Alpena Hatpins

Hatpins were popular during the Victorian times, to add a personal touch to the giant feathery hats of the day.  These two happen to be from Alpena!

More Hatpins

 Mich-E-Kewis Beach Postcard

Imagine a time when one could pull their automobile right up to the water and park on the sand!  Looks like a good time was had by all.

"Typical Lumber Scene" Postcard

I can't lie - I look at this very impressive sleigh load of 4113 logs and several men, and all I can do is feel bad for the TWO horses pulling the whole darn thing!

D. Des Jardins & Son Advertising Souvenir Plate

Advertising plates were quite common in the first half of the century - this one likely dates to pre-1920.

That's all for this time!  Check back again soon for some new finds.

Treasure Box Thursday!

Time for another new batch of antique and vintage memorabilia from the Sunrise Side! You can click on the links to find where to purchase, or click on the photos for a larger image.

Half-pint Ox-Bow Farm Milk Bottle

Currently available on eBay, this milk bottle from Alpena's own Ox-Bow Farm is old enough to have been turned purple by the sun.


1907 Postcard - Alpena Harbor

Sure looks different than the harbor of today, don't you agree?  Instead of being filled with smaller sporting vessels, the harbor is filled to the brim with large steamers.


Very Old Postcard - Second Ave

It seems there are many postcards of Second Avenue in Alpena floating around, but this is my favorite of all those I've seen.  This one seems to date back to pre-1910.


Humorous Postcard - Kissing Couple

Cute postcard from the late Victorian era - I bet this one was seen as quite "bawdy" in those days!


Lumbering Days Postcard

Seeing the millions of logs clogging up the Thunder Bay River back in the lumbering days never ceases to amaze!  You can see Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse in the background, dwarfed by the piles of lumber at the mouth of the river.

That's it for now!  Visit again soon for more new (old) items found around the web!

Treasure Box Thursday: Photo Postcards, Alpena People

Since there is a plethora of Alpena-related items available for purchase online, I have decided to share new finds every Thursday for "Treasure Box Thursday." This week, several new photo cards featuring Alpena people are available on eBay.

1.  Girl Mowing Grass Postcard

This postcard features the beautiful smiling Pearl Chapman "mowing the grass on the campus."  I believe this woman is Pearl (maiden name Male) Chapman who was born in 1902 to George A Male and Amelia Soper in Long Rapids Twp.  She married John L Chapman on Mackinac Island on September 21, 1921, son of A.C. Chapman and Sophie Belanger. In 1930 she is shown on the census living in Alpena with her parents and her two children Betty L, born in about 1923, and John M, born in about 1924.

Also on the postcard are Majis Skeen and Byron Broadbooks in the background with the depot? further back.  Unfortunately I cannot locate information on these two.

2.  "The Brothers" Postcard

There is no name on this photo, but perhaps someone will recognize these two very handsome brothers from Alpena.  They were cute enough to get their own postcard!


3. Alpena Baseball Team 1920s-30s Postcard

There are no names on this photo of an Alpena baseball team circa 1920s-30s. If you click on the picture you'll get a supersize image - see if you recognize anyone!


4. Moslem Temple Fraternal Card - David Hanover

This was an 1890s "calling card" of David D. Hanover, who belonged to the Moslem Temple in Detroit.  The Moslem Temple i housed within the Masonic Temple in Detroit, which is a spectacular gothic structure and the largest Masonic Temple in the world. The fraternity seems to be an early version of the Shriners.

 David was the very first owner of  what is now the Center Building on 2nd Ave in 1903.

David is quite an intriguing character, so I decided to do some research and give him his own post here.

5. 1920s "Sun Bath" at Long Lake Postcard

This fun postcard features children with their mothers sunbathing at Long Lake.  Do you recognize anyone?

Hope you all enjoyed the latest batch of fun things for your treasure box!

Treasure Box Thursday: Metz Fire Newspaper

Yesterday, while surfing eBay for old objects from our area, I came across this October 16, 1908 edition of the Fitchburg Daily News in Massachusetts. It's a real, over 100 year old newspaper from across the country, and the devastation that had hit our area was the main story. This would be a great add to someone's treasure box!