Wendover Will vs. Big John

Wendover Will wins at 64 feet. Big John? A paltry 40 feet. John is also stationary, while Wendover Will waves!

Two Advertising Sign Post Cards, c. 1960 Collection Jim Linderman

Mrs. Hortense Overholzer's Husband and his Rustic Style

R.W. Overholzer, the most inventive and eccentric rustic furniture maker ever. These days, when one thinks of furniture from Michigan, Herman Miller might come to mind. I don't see many "clean, modern design lines" in this work...I don't see any straight lines at all! Each, um...thing was made from white pine stumps left behind by loggers in the 1920's. The trees have grown back now. To purchase the "exciting, detailed account" of her husband's lifetime work by Hortense Overholzer, visit their website here. Yes, they still receive visitors and host weddings. Baldwin Michigan has only has 1,000 inhabitants or so. I believe the souvenir postcards are in color now. Bring your canoe.

Set of Kodak Real Photos c. 1950. Collection Jim Linderman

Ramona of the Oranges

A Spanish/Mexican Hacienda made of Sunkist Oranges with an Asian Sign. What the? Since the publication in 1884, Helen Hunt Jackson's novel, "Ramona" has never been out of print. Ramona exposed the mistreatment of Mission Indians by Anglo-Americans. At the turn of the century, many "authentic" tourist traps claiming to be "Ramona's home" or "Ramona's Marriage Place" dotted Southern California. I suspect this is one, and dated 1924. It is still hard to walk a few miles in the state without finding a remaining vestige of Ramona, a woman who did not even exist. The citizens of Hemet, CA continue to perform a play based on the character, it is the longest running outdoor play in the country.

Real Photo Post Card dated 1924, mailed from Pasadena. Collection Jim Linderman

Billy Sunday Rips it up HOT in Springfield

Preacher Billy Sunday "ripped it up hot" speaking about vice in Springfield, Illinois in 1909. Sunday (his real name) preached for 1 hour and 35 minutes to a full house. He turned down a $3000 a month professional baseball contract to preach at the Chicago YMCA in 1891. He was against evolution, dancing, liquor, cards, eugenics, government regulation, sexual sin and child labor. He was also very much against the hi-jinks of his three unholy sons and had to pay blackmail more than once to shut up the women they "got straight" with. One other thing Sunday was against was theft...he earned nearly $1000 a day giving sermons at a time when that was roughly equal to a worker's yearly salary. His American Craftsman bungalow was furnished in the Arts and Crafts style, but more telling? It had two safes.

"Coming from a "Billy" Sunday Meeting Springfield, ILL real photo by B.W. Post Peoria, Ill. 1909 Collection Jim Linderman

Good Neighbor Policy Mexico US Border RPPC

I woke to read the banner headline "Obama: Troop move to Mexican border under consideration." It appears the assault weapons we've been sneaking south at a considerable profit might start being aimed north. I don't think the explorers shown here were armed. "Tijuana Mexico Line Between Mexico and US Sept 30, 1915" RPPC Collection Jim Linderman