I just recently purchased these "real photo postcards," circa 1917. Collecting old postcards and photos of Old Fort Niagara and Youngstown is a hobby of mine(heck collecting anything old is a hobby of mine). Postcards were easy to mail back in the early 20th century and one common form was a "real photo postcard." A real photo postcard was an actual photo printed as a postcard. So, you could mail your own personal photos as standard postcard mail. When it comes to old photos, photo postcards, and even commercial postcards, many are very rare and may be the only of their kind left!
First! Some History of Fort NiagaraFort Niagara(located in Youngstown, Ny) was established as an 18th century French fort on the mouth of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. The stone "French Castle" that stands today was built in 1726!
Britain gained control of Fort Niagara in 1759 and held the post throughout the American Revolution but was forced, by treaty, to yield it to the United States in 1796.
Fort Niagara was recaptured by the British in 1813(who were then in control of the Canadian side of the Niagara River). It was ceded to the United States a second time in 1815 at the end of the War of 1812.
Fort Niagara was recaptured by the British in 1813(who were then in control of the Canadian side of the Niagara River). It was ceded to the United States a second time in 1815 at the end of the War of 1812.
Fort Niagara was fitted for battle during the Civil War, but the war never came north as feared.
It was then used for the training of WWI American soldiers and many new buildings were built outside the main walls of the fort.
During WWII the military base was used to keep and house Nazi captives of war.
The base was retired in the 1960's and is now a tourist attraction that brings in about 100,000 visitors a year.
For more information visit........Official Fort Niagara Site
It was then used for the training of WWI American soldiers and many new buildings were built outside the main walls of the fort.
During WWII the military base was used to keep and house Nazi captives of war.
The base was retired in the 1960's and is now a tourist attraction that brings in about 100,000 visitors a year.
For more information visit........Official Fort Niagara Site
Now! The postcards!
Company 4 on The Parade Grounds, Memorial Day
This is a fairly common image of Fort Niagare during WW1. Many commercially produced Fort Niagara postcards from this time show a similar image. It is nice however to find real photo postcards.
Gov. Brumbaugh, Col. Miller and Staff
This is what the man I bought these real photo postcards said about this image.
"Martin Grove Brumbaugh was Pennsylvania's World War I governor. The caption on this card is misspelled ‘Braumbough’….but the photo (compared to an on-line photo I located) of the man in the back row third from the right is definitely Brumbaugh."
"Martin Grove Brumbaugh was Pennsylvania's World War I governor. The caption on this card is misspelled ‘Braumbough’….but the photo (compared to an on-line photo I located) of the man in the back row third from the right is definitely Brumbaugh."
Captain Bonnaffon
This one has written on the back, “This is our regular Army Capitan. He is very good too.”
The backs of the postcards
This is one of my favorite parts of postcard collecting! You get to read what people wrote and sent home to their families and friends!
All three of these real photo postcards were sent in July of 1917.
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I have a lot of these postcards and photos so check out my other posts and pages to see this one of a kind history for yourself!
