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The Complete Chautauquan

The Incomplete Collection - Postcards

By Jeffrey Scott Maxwell

Here is a selection of postcards from my collection.  Please allow extra time for loading the numerous images.  I have also included a few links to postcards found in other collections online.

Click on a state to go to postcards from chautauquas in that state:
[CO | CT | IL | IA | KS | MI | MN | NE | NC | ND | OH | OR | WI | Unknown]

STATE: Colorado
TOWN: Boulder
SUBJECT: Colorado Chautauqua Grounds
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "South Boulder Peak from Chautauqua, Boulder, Colo."
CAPTION/REVERSE: "NO. 76 C"
PUBLISHER: "THE UNIVERSITY STORE, BOULDER, COLO. MADE IN U. S. A."
STATE: Colorado
TOWN: Boulder
SUBJECT: Colorado Chautauqua Grounds
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "9666. Chautauqua, Boulder, Colo."
CAPTION/REVERSE: "Chautauqua, Boulder, Col. Situated in the Valley with mountains on all sides. One of the greatest religous Chautauquas in existence, and visited by people from all over the world."
PUBLISHER: "H. R. SCHMIDT & CO. PUBLISHERS WICHITA-DENVER"
STATE: Colorado
TOWN: Boulder
SUBJECT: Colorado Chautauqua Grounds
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "1442 CHAUTAUQUA GROUNDS, BOULDER, COLO."
Postcards from the Colorado State Archives:
STATE: Connecticut
TOWN: Forestville
SUBJECT: 1906 Connecticut Chautauqua Assembly
POSTMARK: Aug. 6, 1906		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Connecticut Chautauqua Assembly, near Forestville, Conn."
INSCRIPTION/OBVERSE: "Spending the day here. E.F.T." [pencil]
PUBLISHER: "Published by J. C. Dexter Photo Co., Hartford, Conn."
STATE: Illinois
TOWNS: Litchfield and Hillsboro
SUBJECT: 1909 Litchfield-Hillsboro Chautauqua
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Litchfield-Hillsboro Chautauqua 1909 Photo Schiller" [Handwritten]
INSCRIPTION/OBVERSE: "we are by the tree" [pencil]
INSCRIPTION/REVERSE: "... those people could not get in the tent / 5,000 people / Billy Sunday" [pencil]
STATE: Illinois
TOWN: Petersburg
SUBJECT: Old Salem Chautauqua Avenue
POSTMARK: Aug 14, 1914		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: An Avenue at Old Salem, Chautauqua, Petersburg, Illinois
CAPTION/REVERSE: "No. C 14013"
PUBLISHER: "Published by George F. Luthringer, Petersburg, Ill. / Made in Germany"
STATE: Illinois
TOWN: Rockford
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Auditorium
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: CHAUTAUQUA AUDITORIUM, ROCKFORD, ILL.
PUBLISHER: "K. C. KROPP, MILWAUKEE, MADE EXP. FOR H. H. WALDO."
STATE: Illinois
TOWN: Rockford
LOCALE: Harlem Park
SUBJECT: Chautauqua
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Chautauqua, Harlem Park, Rockford, Ill."
CAPTION/REVERSE: "No. B 14906"
PUBLISHER: "Published by Penfield's Book Store, Rockford, Ill."
STATE: Illinois
TOWN: Shelbyville
SUBJECT: Forest Park Chautauqua Auditorium
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "The Auditorium, Forest Park / Chautauqua, Shelbyville, Ill."
CAPTION/OBVERSE: "No. B 10241"
PUBLISHER: "Published by Chas. H. Beetle, Shelbyville, Ill."
STATE: Illinois
TOWN: Shelbyville
SUBJECT: Forest Park Chautauqua Lake
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION: "LAKE, FOREST PARK CHAUTAUQUA, SHELBYVILLE, ILL."
CAPTION/REVERSE: "RD-5867"
STATE: Illinois
LOCALE: Chautauqua Ground
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Chautauqua Ground" [Handwritten]
INSRIPTION/REVERSE: "Taken August 1911 / Urbana Ill." [ink]
STATE: Iowa
TOWN: Fairfield
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Grounds
POSTMARK: Aug 20, 1909		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Chautauqua Grounds, Fairfield, Ia. - 4843- / The Place for Postcards - McElhaney's." [Handwritten]
STATE: Iowa
TOWN: Fairfield
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Park
POSTMARK: May 8, 1935		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CHAUTAUQUA PARK FAIRFIELD, IOWA."
STATE: Iowa
TOWN: Red Oak
POSTMARK: Aug 17, 1907		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CHAUTAUQUA RED OAK IA. NO.5"
STATE: Iowa
TOWN: Storm Lake
SUBJECT: Storm Lake Chautauqua Park
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CHAUTAUQUA PARK, STORM LAKE, IOWA . 6600"
PUBLISHER: "Made in Germany. A. C. Bosselman & Co., New York.
STATE: Iowa
TOWN: Waterloo
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Park Coliseum
POSTMARK: SEP 5, 1910		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "COLISEUM, CHAUTAUQUA PARK, WATERLOO, IOWA."
CAPTION/REVERSE: "Printed in Germany"
STATE: Iowa
TOWN: Waterloo
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Park, Waterloo, Iowa.
POSTMARK: May 16, 1910.		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: Chautauqua Park, Waterloo, Iowa.
STATE: Iowa
TOWN: Waterloo
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Park
POSTMARK: Aug 23, 1910		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CHAUTAUQUA PARK, WATERLOO, IOWA / 65458"
STATE: Kansas
TOWN: Cawker City
LOCALE: Lincoln Park
SUBJECT: Lincoln Park Chautauqua Campus
POSTMARK: "NOV 26, 1917"
CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CAMPUS, LINCOLN PARK CHAUTAUQUA, CAWKER CITY, KAS."
DETAIL: People with sign above that says, "DON'T HITCH TO TREES"
STATE: Kansas
TOWN: Ottawa
SUBJECT: Ottawa Chautauqua Assembly
POSTMARK: JUL 9, 1907.		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "A Big Day / At the Ottawa / Chautauqua / Assembly which / is held in June, / Annually."
INSCRIPTION: "Dear Mother, If nothing happens you may expect us Thursday July 11-07 Lovingly, Flora July -9- 07"
DETAIL: Sign on tree behind people that says, "Edison's"
DETAIL: People in front of tents.
STATE: Kansas
TOWN: Winfield
SUBJECT: Mule-drawn Street Car with Chautauqua Advertisement
POSTMARK: JAN 14, 1908		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Winfield, Kan., Electric Cars." ~which is interesting given the actual subject matter. Winfield was famous for its mule-drawn streetcars, and some members of the community were please when the electric cars eventually arrived, because they seemed to be embarrassed about the town being known for the mule cars.
SIGN IN PHOTO: Banner on the side of the streetcar reads, "WINFIELD / CHAUTAUQUA / ASSEMBLY / JUNE 18 TO 28"
INSCRIPTION: "-07." written in pencil indicating year.
STATE: Kansas
TOWN: Winfield
LOCALE: Island Park
SUBJECT: Winfield Chautauqua Assembly
POSTMARK: JUN 5 1908		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Chautauqua Park, Winfield, Kans."
CAPTION/REVERSE: "No. C9522"
Published by The South-Wind News Company, Kansas City, Mo. / Dresden-Leipaig-Berlin Made in Germany
STATE: Kansas
TOWN: Winfield
LOCALE: Island Park
SUBJECT: Winfield Chautauqua Assembly
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Chautauqua Park Winfield, Kan." [Handwritten]
STATE: Michigan
CITY: Buchanan (from postmark) SUBJECT: Downtown Scene During Chautauqua Week
POSTMARK: SEP 17 1913		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Schultz Photo"
SIGN IN PHOTO: Banner says "?-21 CHAUTAUQUA TO 28"
STATE: Minnesota
TOWN: Tracy
SUBJECT: Banners on Street Advertising Chautauqua
POSTMARK: 1922		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "FOURTH STREET, TRACY, MINN. / 4411" [Handwritten]
SIGN IN PHOTO: Streamers with ten pennants each that read "CHAUTAUQUA" vertically are hung across both ends of the street.
PUBLISHER: "CRESCENT PHOTO CO. / 8841 - 28 Ave. So. / Minneapolis, Minn."
STATE: Nebraska
TOWN: Callaway
SUBJECT: Main Street Scene with Chautauqua Advertising Banner on Tower in Center.
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "E. MAIN ST. CALLAWAY, / NEB."
STATE: Nebraska
TOWN: Kearney
LOCALE: City Park
Chautauqua Grounds
POSTMARK: JUL 1 1913		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Chautauqua Grounds, Kearney, Neb."
STATE: Nebraska
TOWN: Nelson
LOCALE: Nelson Chautauqua Park
SUBJECT: Redpath-Horner Chautauqua Tent
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "NELSON CHAQ PARK. / NELSON, NEB."
SIGN: Banner on canvas wall reads, "REDPATH-HORNER CHAUTAUQUAS."
DETAIL: Chautauqua Tent with Automobiles
PUBLISHER: "CHRISTENSEN / PHOTOGRAPHER / NELSON, NEBR.
STATE: North Carolina
LOCALE: Lake Junaluska
SUBJECT: Southern Methodist Assembly Grounds Auditorium
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "N-659 THE AUDITORIUM, SOUTHERN METHODIST ASSEMBLY GROUNDS, LAKE JUNALUSKA, N. C. / PHOTO BY GRENELL E-6292"
CAPTION/REVERSE: LAKE JUNALUSKA, N. C., the home of the Southern Assembly. "The Summer Capitol of American Methodism in the South", is twenty-six miles west from Asheville on the Southern Railway and on U. S. Highway Nos. 19 and 23. Seventeen miles of driveway; lake of 252 acres, well stocked with fish; splendid auditorium and other public buildings and fine residences; good water, electric lights other public utilities; fine hotel; sproty nine hole golf course, tennis, boating, swimming, fishing; strong conference and Chautauqua programs."
PUBLISHER: "PUBLISHED BY ASHEVILLE POST CARD CO., ASHEVILLE, N. C."
STATE: North Dakota
TOWN: Devils Lake
SUBJECT: Devils Lake Chautauqua Auditorium
POSTMARK: AUG 29 1910		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Auditorium Bldg., Devils Lake, N. Dak. / Chautauqua."
CAPTION/REVERSE: "Auditorium Building Devil's Lake, N. Dak. Chautauqua. This auditorium seats 5000 people and very few days of the annual assembly of the North Dakota finds vacant seats in the building during entertainments or lectures. The grounds are large and beautiful. The lake adjoining the grounds is 50 miles long and ten miles wide. / 61530 // A.No.826."
PUBLISHER: "American Import Co., Publishers, Minneapolis, U.S.A. Made in Germany."
STATE: North Dakota
TOWN: Vally City
Chautauqua Park
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CHAUTAUQUA PARK FROM HIGH BRIDGE / VALLEY CITY, N. D."
CAPTION/REVERSE: "27179"
STATE: Ohio
TOWN: Columbus
SUBJECT: Chautauqua
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Columbus Chautauqua / 1907"
DETAIL: Boys at the Ohio Chautauqua.
STATE: Ohio
LOCALE: Miami Valley Chautauqua
SUBJECT: Entrance and Streetcar.
POSTMARK: JUL 26 1907		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Entrance at Miami Valley Chautauqua"
STATE: Ohio
TOWN: Greenfield
LOCALE: Tri-County Chautauqua
SUBJECT: Campers and Tents
POSTMARK: AUG 6 1907		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CAMPERS AT GREENFIELD, OHIO. TRI-COUNTY CHAUTAUQUA"
STATE: Ohio
TOWN: Lakeside
SUBJECT: Wo-Ho-Mis Building
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "275--Wo-Ho-Mis Building, Lakeside, Ohio, on lake Erie / In Lake Eries Vacationland"
CAPTION/REVERSE: "LAKESIDE, OHIO. The Chautauqua of the Great Lakes. For nearly seventy years Lakeside has been the center of educational and religious enlightenment. Hotels and many cottages are available as well as a clean variety of wholesome sports.
PUBLISHER: "E. B. ACKLEY, SANDUSKY, OHIO" PRINTER: "GENUINE CURTEICH-CHICAGO "C.T.AMERICAN ART" POST CARD (REG. U.S.PAT.OFF.)"
STATE: Ohio
TOWN: McConnelsville
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Park
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Chautauqua Park, / McConnelsville, O."
STATE: Ohio
SUBJECT: Entrance to Point Breeze Chautauqua
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "MAIN ENTRANCE"
DETAIL: Entrance to Point Breeze Chautauqua
STATE: Oregon
TOWN: Ashland
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Grove
POSTMARK: SEP 4 1906		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CHAUTAUQUA GROVE, ASHLAND, OREGON."
INSCRIPTION/OBVERSE: "Dear Freddie When you come to Ashland to visit me I will take you for a walk in this grove there is a nice little brook running just back of these tents where we can go fishing--Your friend Dora Gault"
STATE: Oregon
TOWN: Ashland
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Auditorium
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "CS 615 / Chautauqua Auditorium / Ashland Oregon." [Handwritten]
STATE: Oregon
TOWN: Ashland
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Auditorium
POSTMARK: MAY 19 1907		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "Chautauqua, Ashland, Ore."
PUBLISHER: "by M. Rieder, Los Angeles Made in Germany / 2953 Pulbished for Mc Nair Bros., Ashland, Ore."
STATE: Oregon
TOWN: Ashland
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Auditorium
POSTMARK: SEP 24 1908		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "1090 - CHAUTAUQUA BUILDING, ASHLAND, OREGON."
PUBLISHER: "EDWARD H. MITCHEL. PUBLISHER. SAN FRANCISCO."
STATE: Wisconsin
TOWN: Marinette
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Park
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "THE BEACH AT CHAUTAUQUA PARK, MARINETTE, WIS. 6911"
PUBLISHER: "Made in Germany. A. C. Bosselman & Co., New York.
STATE: Wisconsin
TOWN: Racine
SUBJECT: Family photo at 1907 Racine Chautauqua Assembly
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "RACINE CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY, JULY 19 T0 29, 07. / WRIGHT PHOTO NO. 35." [Handwritten]
STATE: Wisconsin
TOWN: Ashland
SUBJECT: Family photo at 1908 Racine Chautauqua Assembly
POSTMARK: AUG 19 1908		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "AT RACINE CHAUTAUQUA JULY 26, 08. WRIGHT PHOTO NO. 89." [Handwritten]
INSCRIPTION: "Aug 15, 08 / Dear Sister / This is our tent at Chautauqua / love to all / from all / M J D."
STATE: Wisconsin
TOWN: Racine
SUBJECT: Family photo at 1910 Racine Chautauqua Assembly
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "AT- RACINE CHAUTAUQUA - JULY 1910 WRIGHT PHOTO NO. 98." [Handwritten]
STATE: Wisconsin
TOWN: Racine
SUBJECT: 1912 Racine Chautauqua Audience
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "RACINE CHAUTAUQUA / JULY 21. 12. NO. 7. / WRIGHT PHOTO." [Handwritten]
STATE: Unknown
TOWN: Unknown
SUBJECT: Chautauqua Auditorium
POSTMARK: None		 SIGN: Sign on Building "CHAUTAUQUA AUDITORIUM"
STATE: Unknown
TOWN: Unknown
SUBJECT: "The Trail"
POSTMARK: None		 CAPTION/OBVERSE: "The Trail." [Handwritten]
NOTE: Multiple chautauquas appear to have had a region called "The Trail" among the tents of those camping at Chautauqua. It was very common for the Chautauquas to put tents in the encampment in rows and name each row as one would a street. This is quite possibly from the chautauqua at Mediapolis, OH.

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Page Created 10/20/00
Copyright © 2000
By Jeffrey Scott Maxwell
Last Updated 11/09/00