This postcard shows the railroad bridge that was south of St. Peter and is addressed to Miss Nathalie L. Asp, 224 24th Ave. E., Duluth, Minn.. The message on the back reads, "Dear Thalie: It's a shame, should have written long ago and here I never thanked you for that package you sent. The bread was fine, we all liked it- många tusen tack! I suppose you are going to Milw. soon, wish I could go too, but when it's cold the folks like to have me home. Does Uncle intend to go away this month? He was here a year ago. Suppose you hear from Nancy[?] often? I saw the Engdahl girls once since they came back X-mas. Will write you a letter soon. Give our love to Uncle, most to you, from your cousin Jen."
The Vasa Orphans' Home was founded by Eric Norelius in 1865 and operated by the Minnesota Conference of the Augustana Lutheran Church from 1876 onward. The postcard picture was taken on Decoration Day, 1907, and shows the children playing on the grounds, enjoying their holiday.
Seated on the steps of Tripolis Lutheran Church, this group is pictured in their Fourth of July finest. The photo is a post card sent from Philadelphia to Dr. J. P. Uhler, a native of Pennsylvania and a professor of physical sciences and mathematics at Gustavus Adolphus College 1882-1937.
Students are walking along a road lined by power lines in or near St. Peter. They are wearing fine clothes for the occasion. Inscribed on the front of the card, in Swedish, is ""På väg hem efter att ha varit uppe vid stationen och mött Kronobergarne."" Translation: "On the way home after having been up to the station and met the people from Kronoberg." On the back side is the photo's title and the nickname "Fickle"
Post Card No. 1045 features Hello Walk, the Ladies Dormitory, Commerce Building and Old Main and is addressed to Miss Ida Swenson, Vasa, Minn., c/o Cls. Lind. The message on the front reads, "Did you ever see anything like this? Once upon a time there were some children that enjoyed playing hide and seek around these corners. They thought it was great fun, but large footprints were seen in the morning. The footprints are gone now, so are the children. That's the end of the story." Also written, "Road to Prexy. Beware." The back reads, "6/10 Aitkin, Minn. Pax Vobiscum! Hello Teacher! How goes the work? Do you still have enough to keep you from getting lonesome? I would like to drop into your schoolroom some day and take in some of your lectures. I might need some pointers. My school commenced here June 3, and there are now 23 chaps enrolled and not very bad ones either. It is the nicest place I have had for two years. It seems nice to have it easy. Am staying at Olaf Olson's home. Have a pleasant time here. His folks are so nice, so is Olaf. Rev. Sandeen] says that Olaf became a so much better boy while attending G.A.C. Can you trace the reason for it?- This is a fine country, all pine region. Rev. S. and I were to a box social nine miles out in the woods Sat. Eve. Even here the people know of our famous reception games. They must have been to college to learn them. We felt fine (?) for our work yesterday after a few hours sleep. Greetings from [triangle] (I used as much space as I dared)."
This post card shows three college girls, including Esther Johnson and Mabel Lucken, and is addressed to Miss Amelia Turner, Ladies Hall, School of Agriculture, St. Paul, Minn. The back reads, "Dear Amelia: I suppose you are already beginning to cram for the exams. We are going to a surprise party for our mailman tonight. I have only 5 weeks of school left. E.J."
Blenda Nelson, Luther Falk, Mary Anderson, Mable Johnson (back row) and Albert Loreen, Axel Hallberg, Ernest B. Anderson, and Bertha Almen (front row) are shown reading in this postcard portrait.
Four young men are shown posing in cadet uniforms and holding guns in this post card studio portrait. The message on the back is addressed to Miss Hannah Ivarson, Carlton, Minn., c/o Henning Ivarson.: "Clarkfield, Minn., July 25, '07. Hello. Did I forget who you was or did you forget who you was, well it makes no difference. Do you [know] the sports in the white suits, some of them I suppose. I am living fine and hope you the same. Send me a postal or something like it if you care to. Your friend, J. L. Anderson, Clarkfield, Minn."
The choir of East Sveadahl Lutheran Church, rural St. James, is pictured in 1908 on a postcard. Pictured among the choir members are brothers Tony, Emil, and Adolph Torkelson.
This postcard shows Johnson Hall on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus and is addressed to Mr. Peter Broberg, New London, Minn. The back reads, "Visited G.A.C. today and had a pleasant chat with Dr. Uhler. Am now waiting for train to Rock Island, Ill. Thanks for all you did for me! Andrew P. Lundberg[?]"
Director Högberg and his wife are riding in a carriage drawn by a team of white horses, with Professor Kilander in the front seat. Onlookers and an automobile are also shown. The Swedish band visited Saint Peter in 1908. The original caption on the card's front is written in Swedish: "Direktör och fru Högberg (Prof. Kilander i framsätet)" On the back are the initials E.A.A. and the nickname "Fickle".
Post Card No. 60761, printed in Germany, shows what is today called the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center or the St. Peter State Hospital. The following message was addressed to Miss Nathalie Asp, 18 E. 3rd St., Duluth, Minn: "Dear friend-- Don't know if you have a path like this or not-- Don't keep Jennie to [sic.] long, as we are getting lonesome for her. Am going up to see Nannie this evening. Lovingly, Mrs. H. B."
This postcard shows a rushing creek lined with trees. It was sent to Miss Lydia Olson, Rock Island, Ill. The front reads, "Heartiest- greetings to yourself and your sisters, and a thousand thanks for the pretty, sweet valentine, which I received and ought to have acknowledged long ago. Hope that you are enjoying the summer very much. I will stay here probably through July, and then go away for a month. Lovingly, Inez"
Bishop von Scheele and dignitaries gathered in Rock Island, Illinois, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Swedish-American Lutheran Augustana Synod, this group includes (no. 1, at center) the Bishop of Visby, Knut Henning Gezelius von Scheele, representing the King of Sweden, (no. 2) Governor Adolph Eberhart of Minnesota, and (no. 3) Dr. Eric Norelius, of Goodhue County, Minnesota, who had been present at the founding of the Synod in 1860. Norelius was President of the Synod at the time of its jubilee.
A drum major and Marching Band of Gustavus Adolphus College are parading on Minnesota Avenue, St. Peter. Nicollet County Court House is in the background. Postcard sent to Amelia Turner, 2127 Dudley Ave., St. Anthony Park, St. Paul, Minn., the front reads, "You may have gotten one of these before, I don't remember what kind I sent you. Have almost forgotten the event but these [sic.] card will keep it in close memory." The back reads, "Dear Cousin; I suppose you are coming home for thanksgiving are you not, to help us eat turkey. No you needn't. I can take care of it my self. How is the "Republican" getting along[?] He's quiet now seeing that we have a Gov. of in party. With a hunger for turkey, I am Willard".