Small Home Gazette, Fall 2017
Real Photo Postcards of Real Bungalows
Postcards have long been a short form method to say hello from afar. Think of them as a precursor to today’s smartphone texting. And like a text that includes a photo, a postcard has space for both a brief message and an image—perfect for showing off a new possession, like a bungalow.
While the majority of postcards have always come with commercial images, personalized versions became available around 1900 (see article on the history of photo postcards in this issue). During the bungalow-building boom of the early 20th century, it is not surprising that bungalows appeared on postcards sent by proud new homeowners to friends and family across the country.
This postcard bearing a photograph of a Minneapolis bungalow was mailed in January 1918.
Over the years I’ve collected a handful of postcards bearing images of Twin Cities bungalows, including the one on the cover of this newsletter. Though the address is partially missing, it wasn’t difficult to figure it out: 4824 Washburn Avenue S., Minneapolis. A quick Google Maps search using Street View revealed that the house still exists.
The flip side of the vintage postcard fills in a bit of the story behind the photograph. It was sent to a woman in Pennsylvania in January of 1918 (with a two-cent stamp). The text reads:
The message on the reverse side, though a bit challenging to make out, is charming. The card gives us a glimpse into the lives of the first occupants of our bungalows.
Auntie dear –
Thought you would like to see a picture
of our house and car. Don’t you like it? I
really think it is prettier than it looks in
the picture, and then, of course, it will be
so much more attractive in summer when
we have shrubs and flowers.
Love to all, Gertrude
I’m sure Gertrude would be happy to know that almost 100 years later, her beloved bungalow has a yard full of trees, shrubs and flowers.
The bungalow on Washburn Avenue S. in Minneapolis still exists. Though the porch has been enclosed, many original elements are still visible, including the metal ridge cap on the roof.
