Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: MI

"61. House of David - Benton Harbor, Mich." The House of David was a religious commune in Benton Harbor , Michigan, whose members performed in touring bands (like the one above), played on baseball teams, and ran an amusement park that featured miniature trains (like the ones below). Benjamin Purnell (see below) and his wife Mary formed the group in 1903.

Sign: "Paul Bunyan, 1937." Caption (the white lettering at the bottom is almost unreadable): "Paul Bunyan and Babe, His Blue Ox. HAK, Bemidji, Minn." A real photo postcard of a man standing between the statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox , which were originally constructed for a winter carnival in Bemidji, Minnesota, in 1937. Compare this image with a snapshot of similar statues in Ossineke, Michigan:

A real photo postcard of the tiny buildings in the Miniature City that once stood in Clinch Park near the Lake Michigan shore in Traverse City , Michigan. For some other postcards and photos, see my gallery of Miniature City, Clinch Park, Traverse City, Michigan images.

The dealer's tag at the antique mall where I purchased this small photograph of a fellow dressed up like Uncle Sam said, "Antique photo, 4th [of] July parade, Concord, Mich." There's no other identifying information on the photo, unfortunately. See also On the Lam with Uncle Sam :

"Miniature Railway, House of David Park, Benton Harbor, Mich. 14." A miniature railroad at an amusement park that was operated by the House of David , a religious commune in Benton Harbor , Michigan, whose members also performed in touring bands and played on baseball teams. Check out another view of the Miniature Railway, House of David Park, Benton Harbor, Michigan .

A snapshot photo of the giant statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox located in Ossineke , Michigan. For additional information and more recent photos, see the Paul Bunyans: Michigan page on RoadsideArchitecture com .

Who wouldn't want a sweeper for Christmas! The women depicted in this Victorian-era advertising trade card certainly seem pleased with their new Goshen sweeper and other gifts! "A Christmas gift, made by Goshen Sweeper Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. A Merry Xmas. Gies & Co., Buffalo, N.Y." Printed on the back of this advertising trade card: Our carpet sweeper is strongly made, does not easily get out of order, and lasts for years even with constant use. Sweeps easily and cleanly, backward and forward, with less wear and tear to the carpet than any other sweeper (brooms are death to carpets); goes farther into the corners, too. Doesn't spill dirt, and when you are ready it empties itself--almost, it is so simple. "The Rapid" is one name for it--all the same, it's a Goshen Sweeper; made for us. And just that is why it is better than any other. The Mowrey Latshaw Hdw. Co, Spring City, Pa. "It takes the dirt." Note: The Mowrey Latshaw Hardware Company, also known as Latshaw's Hardware, opened in 1875 and is still in business in Spring City, Pa., today, according to its Facebook page .

Yikes!

A tall-tale postcard by Wisconsin photographer Alfred Stanley Johnson, Jr. The large fish on this card (at bottom center) appears to be the same one he used on another card (see below for the other postcard and a comparison of the fish ).

Mouse over the top of this real photo postcard to see a close-up of the turkey . "With Thanksgiving seasons greetings." Postmarked: Big Rapids, Mich., Nov. 23 and 24, 1908. Addressed to: Ethel Finnan, 606 S. Mich. Ave., Big Rapids, Mich. Message on back: "Dear Ethel, Your card and letter both received and glad to hear you are prospering. We are very busy these days. All my turkeys to market besides the geese and chickens. I've made two pretty dresses the last two weeks. Tate Pearson came up and stayed while we both made her dress. She and Hoddie called this p.m. Lydia. These cards are our own make. Nov. 22/08."

See also the full version of this real photo postcard. "With Thanksgiving seasons greetings." Postmarked: Big Rapids, Mich., Nov. 23 and 24, 1908. Addressed to: Ethel Finnan, 606 S. Mich. Ave., Big Rapids, Mich. Message on back: "Dear Ethel, Your card and letter both received and glad to hear you are prospering. We are very busy these days. All my turkeys to market besides the geese and chickens. I've made two pretty dresses the last two weeks. Tate Pearson came up and stayed while we both made her dress. She and Hoddie called this p.m. Lydia. These cards are our own make. Nov. 22/08."

"18. Miniature Railway, House of David Park." Part of an amusement park that was opened in 1908 by the House of David religious commune, this miniature railway ceased operations when the park closed in 1972. Fortunately, however, the railroad was recently restored, and it reopened for rides in 2011. For a history of the railway, see Dave Schoeffler's article, " The House of David Railroad ," in Discover Live Steam: The On-Line Magazine of Rideable Model Railroading . See also another view of the Miniature Railway, House of David Park, Benton Harbor, Michigan .