Greenwood/Elk
Old school texts — via one-cent postcards
Pamela Hahn of Mendocino (my remarkable mother-in-law) recently handed me nine vintage postcards that she and her husband (the late and beloved Dr. Don Hahn) were given as a gift many years ago. All the postcards depict scenes of Mendocino — Main Street, Mendocino Lumber Company’s Mill, Big River Bay, the Steamer “Lue Weller” and the Steamer “Sea Foam” taking on passengers, and an aerial view of “Mendocino City,” and this was most likely the reason someone thought the Hahns would appreciate them.
The cards are still in lovely condition and many are “colorized.” The connection these postcards have to Elk, however, is that most are addressed to Ellen Branstrom with the exception of a couple to her brother Andrew. The Branstrom Family lived in Elk at the turn of last century, and, in the 1970s, Ellen was my elderly neighbor when my family lived in my great-grandparent’s house (now Bridget Dolan’s Pub). Ellen’s house was directly south (now the Sacred Rock Resort office).
What I remember about Ellen was that she was a retired school teacher, she liked cats, and she gave me several of the “Peace” silver dollars (all of which I still have). The cancellation dates on these postcards range from 1910-1916. Ellen was born in 1895 and Andrew was born in 1893, so sister and brother were both in their late teens/ early twenties when these postcards were written from various “chums” (as my grandmother would likely say) in Mendocino. Both Branstrom children attended Mendocino High School and so, of course, had many friends wanting to stay in touch!
As I read through the postcards, I realized only the mode of communication has shifted over the years; these postcard messages (sent for one cent each) could easily
have been text messages sent today.
One of the most urgent messages came from Beatrice Brien: “Say, Ellen, you have my red and blue bloomers, haven’t you? If it wouldn’t be too much trouble to you, I wish you would send them to me as I want them to go camping.” Another comes from “Les” and is dated Valentine’s Day, 1910: “I had intended to come down to Greenwood this but I have to go to the dentist and get my teeth filed.” (A common practice of the day.) “It will take quite a while I think yet. If he finishes soon enough, I will come down. I hope to find you all well. I remain as your true friend.” Sounds like a crush to me.
And lastly, from “Isabelle”: “Hello Ellen, How are you enjoying your vacation? I’m having a pretty good time but it’s pretty dull here. Am going to moving pictures tonight. That’s where you have swell times.”
What teenage exchange — then or now — is complete without someone mentioning boredom? It is refreshing to see that even 100 years doesn’t change the teenage persona.