The Union Pacific Railroad Promotes Travel To...

Two of my Gather friends, Dave Sandborg and Kris M., commented on the recent documentary about the National Parks by Director, Ken Burns.

The documentary notes the role of the railroad companies and, later, the oil companies in promoting travel to the National Parks.

I have several illustrations of these promotional efforts.

The vintage postcards below were printed in the 1920's. They have the distinctive "white borders" that characterize postcards of that period.

Each card bears an inscription related to the "Union Pacific Railroad".

Other cards, that I will post in the future, make clearer references to scenes that can be viewed while riding the railroad through the west.

Comments: 16

Ruth MacGill Nov 7, 2009, 8:54am EST

These pictures would inspire me to buy a ticket on the train. I'm a tree hugger and these lovely trees look as if they need to be hugged. I wonder if any of them are still standing. Probably not.

Peter Wimsey Nov 7, 2009, 8:56am EST

Like you, Ruth, I would love to travel by train through magnificent scenery.

I am not well-traveled in the Pacific Northwest, but I fond these trees inspiring.

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Ruth MacGill Nov 7, 2009, 9:11am EST

Once I drove from California to Oregon on a forest road. We stopped at the line that happened to be on the crest of a hill. The difference between the almost untouched California forest and the great patches of clearcut forest in Oregon was appalling! That's why I have little hope the beautiful trees in the postcard pictures survived very long after the pictures were taken.
Incidently these are forests where there have been so many of the reported sightings of Big Foot.

Peter Wimsey Nov 8, 2009, 7:04am EST

I'm afraid that you're right, Ruth.

Every Republican administration since Reagan has appointed persons connected to the timber industry as heads of the Interior Department.

Many of them were crooks.

Talea J. Nov 12, 2009, 10:45pm EST

Sadly, I have a postcard depicting some of these beautiful trees being carted away on railroad cars. They called them "Oregon Toothpicks". I've posted it here...

http://www.gather.com/viewImage.action?fileId=3096224746061402

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Grems 'gremlin' Nov 7, 2009, 10:24am EST

When I was a small child I traveled by train from Chicago to Arizona. I remember rocking back and forth on the train and the Porters. I was pretty young so I know I looked out the window, but I imagine I also slept alot. I would love to make this trip again as an adult and enjoy the scenery.

Peter Wimsey Nov 8, 2009, 7:01am EST

I hope you have the opportunity to make the trip again, Grems.

I love to travel by train.

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Richard Frisbie Nov 7, 2009, 10:34am EST

Wouldn't a walk in those forests be soothing about now - Thanks Peter!

Peter Wimsey Nov 8, 2009, 7:04am EST

Great natural forests are soothing and uplifting.

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Dave Sandborg Nov 7, 2009, 1:59pm EST

This reminds me of Muir Woods, which to me is almost like the archetype of forest. Pertaining to Ruth's comment about logging, it's really a shame that such trees should be regarded as a "resource" rather than having value in their own right.

Peter Wimsey Nov 8, 2009, 7:05am EST

"... it's really a shame that such trees should be regarded as a "resource" rather than having value in their own right. "

Exactly, Dave.

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Marilee C. Nov 7, 2009, 9:57pm EST

I'm planning to take my kids to see the massive trees in the west.

The Union Pacific Railroad company's offices used to be in a wing of my grandpa's house.

Peter Wimsey Nov 8, 2009, 7:06am EST

"The Union Pacific Railroad company's offices used to be in a wing of my grandpa's house."

When was that, Marilee?

It sounds like a great story.

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Talea J. Nov 12, 2009, 10:49pm EST

The scenery in these cards is gorgeous. The colors are beautiful and I wouldn't mind having them full blown wall size. I want to do our basement to look like a natural river scene (cement floor painted blue like water & walls painted to look like bushes and trees) and these would be perfect.

Peter Wimsey Nov 13, 2009, 9:14am EST

Some postcards are sufficiently well-printed that you can enlarge them - although I have never tried to make a wall-sized poster from a postcard.

I use vintage cards as screen savers all the time.

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Aniko Nov 26, 2009, 3:31am EST

I totally had a comment typed in here at one point. It got eaten either by an upgrade or one of my recent "lost tabs" incidents.

Now, if I could only remember what it said...

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The Union Pacific Railroad Promotes Travel To the Scenic West

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