Ocean Park, California

Ocean Park (South Santa Monica) was a popular beach resort back at the turn of the century. There was a huge heated indoor saltwater plunge, a dancing pavilion, a casino, auditorium, skating rink, an aquarium, and amusement rides. Despite numerous fires over the years, Ocean Park continued to thrive until the Depression. By the 1950s efforts were underway to create a new amusement park at the location. The new park closed and declared bankruptcy in 1967.

Here's a card showing Pier Avenue in about 1905.

Here's on that shows the dancing pavilion.

And, finally, a beach scene showing a lot of overdressed people. It appears that there is quite a bit of litter on the beach, and something that resembles a barrel down by the water.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order.
The first one was sent to Mrs Mirrieto Kiser in Chicago in 1908. The message reads:

Los Angeles, Cal

Nov 27 - well dear sweet heart did you think of me today when you ate your dinner I did you I had a nice dinner but not good unless you were at my side + then I would be happy

Your lover

Fred

The second one was sent to Miss Gladys Smith in Regina (?), California in 1913. The message reads:

Dear Gladys -

I was awful glad to get your letter. Did you write it your self? I am going to send you some story book some time. Be good girl and write again

Sister Sue

The last one was sent from Venice, California to Miss Bernice Wiskotschell of Marysville, California in 1908. The message reads:

 Venice - Aug. 16 - 08

Dear Bernice,

Receivd a postal from you today - good to hear that you are having a good time - this is a view of where I am this afternoon. remember me to all.

Goodbye

Daddy

Santa Cruz, California

Most people don't think of casinos when they think of Santa Cruz. Instead, they might think of the boardwalk, hippies, UC Santa Cruz, Birkenstocks, Monterey Bay, the earthquake, etc.
But back in 1904, when the casino was built, it was a main attraction. There was no boardwalk; that was built later around the new casino. The original casino (shown below) burned down in 1906. Work started on a new one in 1907.  As far as I know, that building is still part of the current boardwalk, although there is no gambling there. You can read more about the casino and see a picture of it in flames on the Santa Cruz Public library website., along with some pictures of the new casino.

Here's the back of the card, sent to Ida Schack of Chicago in 1905.

The Oaks - Portland, Oregon

The Oaks or Oaks Park as it is now known, is still a nice place to spend time on a sunny day, but this lovely boardwalk no longer exists. The Oaks Amusement Park was opened in 1905 and is still operational and a popular destination.  It's a great place, with a definite old-time charm.

There is also a roller skating rink in the park that has two very special features:
1. The wood skating rink can be detached from the foundation so that in case of a flood, the floor will float on top of the water. This technique was last employed in 1996.
2. The rink has a Wurlitzer pipe organ and a live organist to accompany the skaters on Thursday evening and all day Sunday.

If you're at all interested in the Wurlitzer, the people who play it, or the rink, you should check out this inspirational 10-minute documentary entitled Pipe Dreams by Mark Tunby.  It's just like being there.

The water slide doesn't exist anymore, but there is a great old roller coaster.
The back of this card is notable in that it was sent from Dothan, Oregon. I had never heard of Dothan before, probably because it is now a ghost town. It was located in Douglas County near Westfork, which doesn't seem to exist anymore either.

The message, sent in 1910, reads:

6/21/10 Dothan, OR

Dear friend received your letter to day and Mrs. Holcomb was here then (?)

she received your letter. I am glad to hear you are well and happy

West Fork and all its surroundings are the same as when you were here.

Yours truly

Mrs. J. Barry

Here's the back of the first card: