Vigo County Historical Society

Postcards chronicle Wabash Valley during early 20th century

"Wish you were here" was a familiar phrase often found on postcards sent to friends and family by travelers on the road. Many of those travelers found their way to the "Crossroads of America"--Terre Haute.

"Terre Haute & Vigo County in Vintage Postcards" is a newly published volume of Dorothy Wentz Jerse and John R. Becker III. More than 200 postcards from the collections of John Becker III and Judith S. Calvert have been used to chronicle Terre Haute and Vigo County during the first 30 to 40 years of the 20th century.

The images document the places, events and people that were important to the residents of Terre Haute and to the tourists who passed through the city.

In the 1920s, the postcard craze began to wane. The high quality of printing disappeared, and the volume of cards decreased. For the last half of the century, the traditional black and white postcards were replaced with "chrome" cards printed in true and vibrant colors. And, of course, the penny postcard with its 1-cent postage became a thing of the past!

Timed perfectly for holiday gift-giving, a book signing will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. today in the Vigo County Historical Museum. All three contributors will be available to sign the books, so start making your list of those who will enjoy having this collection of treasures from Terre Haute’s past. These vintage postcards are sure to whet the appetite of all Terre Haute and Vigo County history buffs.