About one in five postcards in our collection contain personal written messages to family and friends, most of which were mailed and postmarked. Some messages were sent more than a century ago. Below are a few samples.
Under Heading “Venice” (LA03-561)
Postmark undetermined. Dated 1915
Dear Nettie & family:
Who wrote last? Will try to write letter after Holidays – am busy with S[unday] S[chool] & Ch[urch]-work. Just had bazaar & my class made things in my room for Indian Mission in S[outhern] California & also for Childrens Home in Los A[ngeles] and keeps me busy – as of course an “old maid” has nothing to do. Ahem! Now I’m Sup[erintendent] of Altar [illegible] also! I admit – I need all this or I’d be so lonely I’d ----. Hoping you are all well & not freezing yet and have such a Happy Merry Christmas & New Year in that pretty Home & among familiar faces. Ask the boys how they’d like sliding down this “Incline” [referring to Mt. Lowe Great Incline]. Beautiful ride up 15 [illegible] on trolley. Swinging around rocks & looking down many feet - & off far, far. -----View is fine.
Love [illegible]. 707 Bush St.
Under Heading “Downtown Los Angeles” (LA01-117)
Postmarked Oct. 13, 1906
Lively altho’ lonely
Bratt,
775 Central Ave.
Los Angeles Cal.
Under Heading “Pomona” (LA01-483)
Postmarked June 15, 1908
N. Pomona. June 14, 1908
Rec[eived] your cards – glad to hear you had arrived all right. Have had some hot weather since you left. It is cooler now. [Art went?] to his [work?] today and Nettie & Emma & Myria and Harriet are going to National City (near San Diego) to pack lemons. They go Thursday. I am not packing this week. I expect company tomorrow from Los Angeles. So we are very busy.
M.D. Loomis
Under Heading “Venice” (LA03-575)
Postmarked June 18, 1908
How is Ma and Brother. I am going this morning to Artesia to a [sic] Auction. How is [sic] things in school. Give Ma and Brother many kisses.
Love to all, Papa
Under Heading “Civic Center-Los Angeles” (LA01-055)
Postmarked June 19, 1909
Well I got here yesterday morning. Am having a perfectly grand time. Write to me.
Lelia
Lovejoy Hotel
Cor[ner] 3rd & Grand, Los Angeles
Under Heading “Venice” (LA03-560)
Postmark undetermined. Dated 1909
Aug 28, 1909
Dearest Clara –
Glad to get your letter. I am in the midst of packing. Leave tomorrow night with a lot of others. Charlotte Nadsworth said she thought you were a very attractive girl and looked awfully cute in your Middit[?].
Under Heading “Missions” (LA01-471)
Postmarked July 15, 191?
My dear sister,
We had a fine time in the city yesterday. We had a [sic] auto and first my handkerchief and then my hat blew away but got them both. I have been thinking of you all day and can see how sweet you a[re]. I called on Helen Dover and gibly[?] girls look [illegible].
Your doll carrot, GL
Under Heading “Downtown Los Angeles” (LA01-096)
Postmarked Mar. 30, 1911
March 29-1911
Dearest Pearl –
I was so glad to get your postal. I’m so glad you’re all having such a fine time. Saw Rofena and Ruth today and I’m going to spend tomorrow at the library with Florence. Working on a history thesis.
Lovingly, Julia
Under Heading “MacArthur Park-Westlake” (LA01-307)
Postmarked Aug. 16, 1911
Dear Fam.
Rec’d your cards. Very much surprised but glad to hear from you. I am just fine – working all the time. I am still in Bullock’s – been there more than a year. Like L.A. better all the time. Kiss the babies for me and write a letter soon.
Loving you, Ethel
Under Heading “Downtown Los Angeles” (LA01-107)
Postmarked Mar. 24, 1913
Mar. 23-13
Received your letter. Glad to hear from you. We are well. Pearl & John are out to [Herring r(?)] today. Maggie & I were out to church this A.M., had S[unday] School then exercises during the church hour. I did not have anything new for Easter. Am having a suit made. Will have that later. Is cold & windy today. Rained yesterday. Do you know where Clara [illegible] Kemp is now. Hope this finds you well.
Sarah
Under Heading “Mountains” (LA03-561)
Postmark undetermined. Dated 1915
Dear Nettie & family:
Who wrote last? Will try to write letter after Holidays – am busy with S[unday] S[chool] & Ch[urch]-work. Just had bazaar & my class made things in my room for Indian Mission in S[outhern] California & also for Childrens Home in Los A[ngeles] and keeps me busy – as of course an “old maid” has nothing to do. Ahem! Now I’m Sup[erintendent] of Altar [illegible] also! I admit – I need all this or I’d be so lonely I’d ----. Hoping you are all well & not freezing yet and have such a Happy Merry Christmas & New Year in that pretty Home & among familiar faces. Ask the boys how they’d like sliding down this “Incline” [referring to Mt. Lowe Great Incline]. Beautiful ride up 15 [illegible] on trolley. Swinging around rocks & looking down many feet - & off far, far. -----View is fine.
Love [illegible]. 707 Bush St.
Under Heading “Lincoln Park-Eastlake, Los Angeles” (LA01-128)
Postmarked Nov. 5, 1919
Nov. 4.
We helped Mr. & Mrs Mathis celebrate their 50th anniversary today. I’ll never do that !!! Louise tells me you are trying to mix French & Spanish – How do they mix? Why didn’t you fake some other language – like English. I am doing the French – you know & when we travel together, we will need a variety of tongues.
Under Heading “Growers” (LA01-411)
Postmarked Jan. 16, 1921
308 West Ave 55
Highland Park
Los Angeles Calif.
Dear Friend
It is wonderfully beautiful here. I wish you were here with me. Everything is so beautiful. I am going to church and then off to Lincoln Park.
Dear love to all the family, Truitt
Under Heading “Long Beach” (LA01-242)
Postmarked Dec. 4, 1921
152 Cudahy St
Walnut Park
Dear Folks;
This is the way we buy our vegetables here. The weather is lovely [hot?]. Pa G. is awfully bad. Our Xmas won’t be a very happy one. Do hope you will all have a lovely time and I’ll send you this card to remind you we have sun shades up in winter.
Love to all, Babe Gillette
Under Heading “Long Beach” (LA01-267)
Postmarked Sep. 18, 1923
Long Beach Cal.
1051 E. 6 St
Hello Miss Watters,
How is the coffee cup. I don’t have to work now. Am having a good time bathing in the ocean. Come over some time.
Mrs. O.S. Ek..
Under Heading “Downtown Los Angeles” (LA01-087)
Postmarked Jan. 18, 1927
Dear Brother, Sister and Daughter,
We rec[eived] the letter and the money. It sure helped us out. Will return it soon as I can. I am working again now. But not making much. There is about a [thousand] men to every job here now. All the bums in the world come here in the winter time. Bobbie says he likes Calif the best. We will make it all right now.
From Bobbie & Eply
Under Heading “Long Beach” (LA01-285)
Postmark Undetermined. Circa 1932
You would hardly know Long Beach now. We drove around this new drive [Rainbow Pier] today. The Pike is much the scene.
A.J.
Under Heading “Long Beach” (LA01-304)
No Postmark. Circa 1938
Dear Alma -
This is just to let you know I’m O.K. I still do not have my car but I have my attorney on it and we are both “hopping mad” and something is going to be done and done soon. It’s raining hard here 4:30 AM, but we need it so I don’t mind. Will write a long letter after this Christmas rush is over.
Love, Alice L.
