Two Profiles, Indians Head and Old Man of the Falls, Auburn and Lewiston, Me., 1910 #postcardproject

Today's postcard is of "Two Profiles, Indians Head and Old Man of the Falls, Auburn and Lewiston, Me." Mailed/postmarked in 1910.

This card sent by "Alice" to Miss Clara M. Bigelow shows the falls between Auburn and Lewiston, Maine circa 1900. There are many postcards and pictures of this scene made and sold between 1890 and 1910, when this postcard was mailed.

Unlike many postcards that are sent by vacationers, this one was meant more as a brief letter between Alice and Clara, updating Clara on news and making a request of her. The postmark was from Auburn and the "city" in Clara's address was Lewiston—these women were not far apart but this was before telephones were widely available. The first telephones were installed in Lewiston, Maine in the late 1870s, shortly after Alexander Graham Bell patented the invention in 1876 but were not widely available and were primarily used by businesses and wealthy individuals. By the 1920s, many homes and businesses had telephone service, and the infrastructure for a reliable and efficient telephone network had been established. Ten years later and Alice would have phoned Clara rather than mailing this postcard.

The text of the card is hard to make out but reads, "___ has whooping cough. I'm gaming slowly. Can't you come out on the boat Fri. A. is so busy cleaning up round the buildings. Has to go to Buckfield every week. Alice."

Clara Bigelow was 35 and single when she received this card. She was working as schoolteacher. Two years earlier, she had taught and lived at the North Auburn School but by 1910 had moved to Lewiston (just across the river). The house or building where she was living at 7th Academy Street no longer exist—a new condo sits there now. Clara's mother's name was Alice, but she also had a friend or relative named Alice Haynes. Could it be one of these Alice's who sent her this message? Would a mother sign her name as "Alice?" Probably not—but it's hard to say. I can't make a definite determination as to whom sent the postcard.

The person first referred to in the card--?alyan or ?abyan?—had whooping cough, which is also known as pertussis. It is a highly contagious respiratory infection characterized by severe coughing fits that can be accompanied by a distinctive "whooping" sound as the patient gasps for air after coughing. Before the development of a vaccine in the 1940s, whooping cough was a major cause of infant mortality in the US. Today, the disease is still present but is less common due to widespread vaccination efforts.

Lest you think Clara Bigelow was loafing (and thus the request to take a boat out to see Alice on the weekend), Clara spent her summers working at sporting "camps at North Pond in Smithfield" during the summer months. In 1912, she served as "head dining room girl" at the North Pond Camps.

North Pond Camps is a historic sporting camp located in Smithfield, Maine. It has been in operation since the late 1800s and has hosted generations of guests who come to enjoy fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation.

In the early days of the camp, the head dining room girl was a staff member responsible for overseeing the dining room and kitchen operations. This position was typically held by a woman who had experience in cooking and hospitality.

The head dining room girl was responsible for preparing and serving meals for the guests, as well as managing the other dining room staff, including waiters and busboys. She also ensured that the dining room was clean, well-organized, and properly stocked with food and supplies.

Additionally, the head dining room girl often played an important role in the social life of the camp. She was often a central figure in planning and organizing social events, such as dances, picnics, and other activities.

Today, North Pond Camps is still in operation and continues to provide guests with an authentic Maine sporting camp experience. While the role of the head dining room girl has evolved over time, the camp's commitment to excellent hospitality and delicious home-cooked meals remains a hallmark of its tradition.

Clara was constantly busy in these years. She was the superintendent of her local Sunday School class, attended teacher's conferences regularly, and learned dressmaking to be able to make more money for her family. In 1914, four years after receiving this postcard, Clara was in the hospital in Lewiston for several weeks with an infection in her foot and a local paper, the Independent Reporter claimed that for a while, they thought she would lose the foot but instead was "coming out with two feet." Clara missed four weeks of teaching that October due to her illness.

Clara was single until 1916 when she married at the age of 46. She died in 1966 when she was 91.

If you are wondering about the picture on the postcard--the profile of the Indian's Head and Old Man of the Falls is of the geological formation that was located along the Androscoggin River in the towns of Auburn and Lewiston, Maine. The profile was formed by the erosion of a large boulder that resembled the profile of a Native American's head and a man's face. The Indian's Head was located on the east bank of the river (left side of the postcard), while the Old Man of the Falls is on the west bank (right side of the postcard).

The formation had been known to the local Native American tribes for centuries, and it was likely a prominent landmark in the area. In the early 19th century, white settlers began to recognize the formation's significance and it became a popular tourist attraction.

The profile was a popular subject for artists and photographers in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it was featured on postcards and other memorabilia. The profile also played a role in local folklore and legends, including stories of Native American spirits and a curse on the land.

The "Indian's Head" collapsed in 1962 due to natural erosion and damage caused by human activity, and the Old Man of the Falls collapsed in 2003. The collapse of the formations was a significant loss for the community, but efforts have been made to preserve their memory through art and historical markers. The towns of Auburn and Lewiston still celebrate the Indian's Head and Old Man of the Falls as a part of their history and heritage.

Auburn and Lewiston are neighboring cities located in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. Both cities have a shared history, dating back to the mid-19th century when they were centers of manufacturing and industrial activity.

In the early 19th century, the area was primarily agricultural, with farms and small settlements scattered throughout. However, with the arrival of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century, the area experienced a period of rapid growth and development. The Androscoggin River, which runs through the area, provided a source of power for mills and factories, and the area soon became a hub of manufacturing and industry.

Lewiston was incorporated as a city in 1863, and Auburn followed in 1868. The two cities grew rapidly, with mills and factories springing up along the river and drawing workers to the area. Textiles, shoes, and paper products were among the major products produced in the area, and the cities became known for their industrial prowess.

Over the years, the economy of the area shifted, and many of the mills and factories closed. However, the cities have continued to evolve and adapt to changing times. Today, Lewiston and Auburn are home to a variety of businesses and industries, and they are known for their rich history, cultural attractions, and natural beauty.