Landscapes in Postcards

by Sean McGilloway

Many postcards fall under the category of landscapes. Postcards depicting landscapes may be separated into groups including street scenes, beaches and parks. Cities will often use streets that depict a busy urban-like scene. Quiet streets are also included to show nice suburban areas. Pictures of beaches and parks are used in postcards to show a city’s culture. Beaches and parks help a city’s economy, while adding to a city’s recreation, culture and beauty.

Postcards are very affective in illustrating Beverly’s many diverse landscapes. Cabot St. is one of Beverly’s busiest and most diverse streets.  Today Cabot St. has everything from small businesses and churches to cinemas and police stations. In this picture Ellis square is shown with its businesses and churches. Cars are shown, at this time cars are becoming a popular mode of transportation. This older postcard of Ellis square was taken in 1890. It illustrates a time when trolleys were used for transportation and roads were made of dirt. In postcards that depict quiet streets, people are often shown walking. A popular street for this type of postcard in Beverly is Dane St. Another street that was good for this type of postcard was Mingo Beach Hill, in Beverly Farms. This picture  was typical to many private-like streets with water views. One very popular beach and park was Dane St. Beach. Dane St. Beach is included in many of Beverly’s postcards because of its picturesque view. It also offered a great place to walk or ride a bike. Another one of Beverly’s most popular parks is Lynch Park. Many postcards depict its beautiful rose garden. The rose garden was, and is, known for its magnificent flowers and sculptures. This area is so nice that President Taft chose it as his vacation spot for several summers.

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