Eva and Eugene

March 11, 2010

Eva and Eugene RobbinsI had to share this photo of Eugene and Eva Robbins taken later in life, probably around 1960. One of the many photos that had come dislodged from the album, I found it stuck between the pages, and it’s pure luck that it didn’t get lost with so many of the others. It’s just amazing how many years of their lives together are captured in the album, and it’s amusing to see that here, as was the case thirty-plus years earlier, the couple is photographed with family buzzing about. Do you suppose they knew how good they had it? I’m pretty sure they did.

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Robbins Album, page 4In the time-honored family photo album tradition, this page includes pictures that, at least to the casual observer, just don’t go together. The top two are of homes, two different homes that, given the similarity of terrain and of the photos themselves, were probably in close proximity to each other. Without some insight into the locations, those images aren’t particularly remarkable, although the homes are impressive, particularly the grand structure in the right photo. But the bottom pair of photos are curious as they remind me of studio portraits, having a posed look that’s hard to define. [click to continue…]

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The Drake Motel, Chattanooga, TNIf the Crystal Inn Motel didn’t satisfy your thirst for 1960s decor, then perhaps the Drake Motel in Chattanooga will do the trick. Wood paneling, gold wall art, starburst ceiling lamps, and the drapes… outta sight!

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Crystal Inn Motel

March 10, 2010

Crystal Inn Motel, Milbury, OhioHoly smoke, is this the craziest-looking motel ever?! I can just imagine waking up there and running out screaming, fleeing from a ’60s hell. The topmost picture is just weird, and at first I thought the motel was flooded. But the lounge… oh man. On the back in pencil is the notation, “On way from Canada 7/30/66 to Chi.” The description on the back is as follows:

Crystal Inn Motel
CRYSTALITE DINING ROOM
MILBURY, OHIO
One Mile North of Ohio Turnpike Exit #5 on Ohio Rt. 120 and Interstate 280 – 14 minutes from Downtown Toledo. “Dine & Rest in Luxurious Elegance on a family budget.” Spacious Rooms, Finest of Foods, Superb Cocktails – Banquet & Meeting Rooms. Featuring the Crystalite Dining Room & The Executive Club. Swimming Pool and Lagoons for your enjoyment. Located in Scenic Country Splendor.

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The Robbins’ Found

March 10, 2010
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The course of events that resulted in the Robbins photo album winding up in an antique mall in Azle, Texas may never be resolved, but I believe I’ve at least identified the family. Expecting this mystery to torment me for years, I suppose I underestimated what ancestry.com and a little determined sleuthing can accomplish. As [...]

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Daytona Beach Bandshell

March 9, 2010
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Begun as a WPA project in 1936, the Daytona Beach Bandshell began hosting musical performances and beauty pageants in 1937 (this postcard dates from that year), but fell into disrepair over time. In recent years it has been refurbished, and is again host to various events.

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Daytona Beach

March 9, 2010
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This Curt Teich Co. postcard dates from 1938 and is an overview of Daytona Beach, Florida. On the back:
“Boardwalk and Bandshell – the world’s largest open air theatre of its kind, where more than 7,000 persons can be seated.”

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The Robbins at Play

March 9, 2010
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Another installment in my on-going look at the Robbins Family Photo Album. This time the subjects are identified as Eugene Norwood, Watson Robbins, Eugene Robbins, Eva Robbins, and “Dad”. The photo at bottom-right includes a boat that will show up in one or more photos later on. What sort of clues do the clothes, or [...]

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Sheraton Park Hotel

March 9, 2010
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Opened in 1918 as the Wardman Park Hotel, the 1000 room structure is located in the Woodley Park neighborhood of Washington D.C. It was purchased in 1953 by the Sheraton Corporation and renamed the Sheraton Park Hotel, and renamed yet again in 1998 to the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. This card, an interior view of [...]

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The Washington Hilton

March 8, 2010
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The Washington Hilton, illustrated here in a decidedly “swinging ’60s” style. The postcard probably dates from 1965/66, as the back references the hotel as being new. This was where John Hinckley, Jr. attempted to assassinate President Reagan in March of 1981.

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A Dapper Young Man

March 8, 2010
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I love this photo. It shows a young Howard Kron in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, probably age 6 or thereabouts. Kron hit the road as a “crooner” in his twenties, but would soon make a significant career change, becoming a ceramics designer of some renown. He did work for Virgil Haldeman in California, then at Midwest Pottery [...]

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Boys Town

March 8, 2010
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Founded as an orphanage in 1921, Boys Town was built by Father Edward J. Flanagan, a Roman Catholic priest who sought to provide for at-risk children. The story of Father Flanagan and his boy’s home was told in the 1938 film, Boys Town, starring Spencer Tracy. Nominated for five academy awards, Tracy would earn the [...]

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Matchbox Catalog, Part VI

March 8, 2010
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Here’s the sixth and final installment of the 1969 Matchbox Cars Catalog… finally!

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Loop the Loop

March 8, 2010
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From 1903, this photograph shows the “Loop the Loop” at Coney Island. And to think, even in those early days visitors had to “Beware of Pickpockets”!

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Meet the Robbins

March 7, 2010
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Here’s the first look at the photo album I introduced yesterday. As I’ve already mentioned, I’ll be referring to this as the Robbins Family album, but other names are represented as well. I’ll probably present the photos in various ways, sometimes in complete pages as seen here, and sometimes as individual photos. I would prefer [...]

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Forest Manor Motor Lodge

March 7, 2010
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FOREST MANOR MOTOR LODGE
and RESTAURANT
866 Hendersonville Road
3½ Miles South, Highway 25
Asheville, North Carolina 28803
5 Acres Wooded Grounds – Air Conditioned and Electrically Heated Rooms – With or Without Kitchens – Room Phones – Television – Color-set in Lounge. “Food that’s Famous.”
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kirk
Owners and Managers

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Lockmiller’s Motel

March 7, 2010
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LOCKMILLER’S MOTEL
ON HIGHWAYS U.S. 41 – 11 – 64 & 72
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
Located at the west entrance to Lookout Mountain and Rock City.
Owned and operated by Mr. & Mrs. W.C. Lockmiller
Address
2531 Cummings Hwy. – Chattanooga, Tenn. 37419

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Henderson Motel

March 7, 2010
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Probably dating from around 1960, this unmailed postcard has this description on the reverse:
HENDERSON MOTEL
Highways 59 and 43 South
MARSHALL, TEXAS
Phone WE 5-9376 or WE 5-9377
Large Paddock Swimming Pool – Room Phones – T.V. – Radios – Air Conditioned – Vented Heat – A.A.A. – Wall to Wall Carpets – Excellent Restaurant across the street.
Mr. and [...]

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