Ontra Cafeterias Los Angeles California linen postcard

Ontra Cafeterias Los Angeles, CA, linen, 1951.

Another striking example of linen era Roadside America postcards - the Ontra Cafeteria chain in Los Angeles. This card postmarked 1951. Caption on reverse reads in part - visit Ontra Cafeterias while in Los Angeles and "you will KNOW the reason for their nationwide popularity". 

Unfortunately, no menu information or prices to let us know what we missed...

Click on picture for further details.

Big Bear Lake California Large Letter Linen Postcard

Big Bear Lake California Large Letter Linen postcard

Produced in the linen era of postcards, circa 1935 to early 1960s, large letter linen cards have a strong following among collectors and local history buffs. 

Their influence lives on in the many derivative products that abound in the form of posters, decorative wall hangings in restaurants and so on today that encapsulate the large letter style. 

This example celebrating the outdoor western life to be found at Big Bear Lake, California, published by Curt Teich & Co, is typical of the stylish lettering, multiple images, and vivid colors of the genre. 

 Click on the postcard image to see the complete listing.

A Ford Anglia on San Pablo Dam Road Cars El Sobrante California 1960s postcard

San Pablo Dam Road Cars El Sobrante California 1960s postcard

A street scene of San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante, California in the 1960s.  El Sobrante translates to "remainder" in English. One wonders in what way it's a leftover...

A small curiosity in the view:  the light blue car with the odd shaped angled view rear window, just to the right of the car in center of the picture, is a Ford Anglia, manufactured by Ford of Britain.   Its American-influenced styling included a sweeping nose line, and on deluxe versions, a full-width slanted chrome grille in between prominent 'eye' headlamps. It had muted tailfins, much toned-down from its American counterparts. 

This is much like my first car, same design and color. It got me through my last year of high school, college, and got me to my first job in another city before giving up the ghost.

It's small surprise that I would've picked an Anglia as my first car. As a kid, I played with one of these for hours along with the rest of my much treasured Matchbox toys:

Roadside America Linen Postcards - Lake Arrowhead Topographic Map California postcard

Lake Arrowhead California Topographic linen postcard, circa 1950s

Click image for larger view

For a twist on the road map postcards, perhaps topography is important on your map postcards. Maybe you need to know what kind of hill climbing your automobile may need to endure - the radiator might boil over. And worse still you might have to get out and walk or climb a hill.

Southern Pacific Railroad Train, Sunset Route, circa 1913

Southern Pacific Railroad Train, Sunset Route, circa 1913

 

For those who were missing the trains.... This stunning example of postcard art advises in the caption on the reverse of the Southern Pacific Railroad's safety achievements in 1913.

Logging - III

Then rail 'em out for further milling...

 Logging Train in California

 American Lumber Co Mill, Albuquerque, New Mexico