Streetcar Sunday - Ft. Dodge, Iowa

This card was sent on December 12th, 1907,  the first day of service for the Fort Dodge Interurban, operated by the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern Railroad Co., with service between Fort Dodge and Des Moines. This was the largest interurban service in Iowa, with stops in minor towns (such as Boone) along the way.  The train also carried a lot of freight, particularly gypsum board, which helped keep it in service longer than similar passenger-only services. Oddly enough, the line also made money by selling electricity to farms, industries, and homes. By 1954, the entire line had been converted from electric to diesel. Some of the line still exists today as the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, a popular tourist service and dinner train.

Here's the back of the card. I almost didn't check on the recipient, but I'm glad I did. C.H. Crooks was the President  of the Ft. Dodge, Des Moines, and Southern Railroad Co.! This card was sent to his wife. I'm not sure who Carrie Holm was, but she may have been married to County Auditor, H.S. Holm.

Find out more about the Fort Dodge, Des Moines, And Southern Railroad Co. and other Iowa interurban trains here.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Do you think people park their cars in the middle of the street along the Copacabana in Rio today? No way! There are now three lanes in each direction, but they have also preserved and upgraded the center median (I love center medians!) Not surprisingly, there are also a lot more buildings now.

The Church of Our Lady of the Rock was built in 1635 and is famous for the 382 steps of the main staircase. Never mind the church or the stairs; there's something very appealing about men wearing white suits with hats.

The Arcades - Cleveland, Ohio

 

If only modern shopping malls could be so attractive. The Superior Arcade in Cleveland was built in 1890 and was one of America's first indoor shopping malls. The arcade was designed by John Eisenmann and consisted of two 9-story towers connected by a 5-story atrium. We have reason to rejoice, because the arcade has been preserved. Today, it houses a Hyatt Regency Hotel and shops and restaurants. Here's what it looks like today.

Here are a few more shopping arcades in Cleveland: