Vintage Postcard – Seaside Resort Motel – Lauderdale by the Sea

SEASIDE RESORT MOTEL
4605 Ocean Drive
Phone 772-4328   Area Code 305
Lauderdale By The Sea, Florida 33308
Bill & Ellen Olive, Owner-Managers
Modern and spacious efficiencies, apartments and hotel rooms. Air conditioning, heat, T.V. and phones in each room. Sauna bath. One short block to ocean, shopping center, restaurant and recreation center. Short walk to fishing pier.

Tom Neal Color Cards, P.O. Box 13, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33302
142126

This lovely vintage postcard is unused. Doesn’t it have everything, though? Breeze block half wall. The iron railings appear to be quite decorative. And are those ornamental birds on the walls? The color appears to be a very light pink, and as you know, my heart is gone for a pink motel. To go back in time and stay at the Seaside Resort. To sit under that umbrella in the courtyard sectioned off by the breeze block and to hear the wind moving the palm fronds. Maybe with a drink in my hand (one with a little umbrella) and a good book. How heavenly.

Friends, I hope you are as delighted as I am to see this:

Loopnet has the following details: The Washingtonia Resort was constructed in 1953 of concrete block and painted stucco and encompasses a 0.43 acre lot. The property is currently operating as 20 units with six small efficiencies, seven large efficiencies (including the office), four one-bedroom/one-bathroom units, two two-bedroom/one-bathroom units and one three-bedroom/one-bathroom house. Units feature ceramic tile flooring, individual hot water heaters and modern kitchens and bathrooms. Electricity, water, sewer and trash are all currently included in the rent. The property has been recently renovated and many windows have been upgraded to hurricane resistant impact glass.

I wasn’t able to find much on Bill & Ellen Olive, except in a 1953 city directory that had Ellen’s address here at the Seaside Resort Motel. I’m just glad that the place still stands.

Like Lauderdale? Check these out:

Park City Mobile Home Estates

Sirocco Apartment Hotel

Idle Hour

Vintage Postcard – Indian Creek Miami Beach

As magnificent hotels glow against the evening sky they reflect a festival of lights in the dark waters of Indian Creek, Miami Beach, Florida.
Color Photo by H.W. Hannau

Florida Natural Color, Inc., 101 N.W. 176th St., Miami 69, Fla.
Koppel Color Cards, Hawthorne, N.J.
FNC-3619
17801

This lovely vintage postcard was mailed May 24, 1963 Using a 5-cent blue Monroe stamp to Miss Florence Hertler, 1100 N. La Salle St, Chicago 10, Ill. It reads:

As it gets nearer 9:30am the slimmer the message. Sugar so good. Go to Sarasota Saturday weather accommodations meetings etc very satisfactory Love Eleanor

Kind of a cryptic message, no? But the message on the card itself is like poetry.

From Wikipedia: “Indian Creek is a partly natural and partly man-made waterway in the city of Miami Beach, Florida, United States. It starts as a man-made canal where Biscayne Bay meets Lincoln Road, and runs along Dade Boulevard, forming the boundary between South Beach and the rest of the city. At 24th street the canal opens into the natural waterway and continues north through the city past Allison Island where it opens into Biscayne Bay, till 71st Street where it merges with Normandy and Tatum Waterways and is no longer called Indian Creek.”

1100 N La Salle in Chicago is a lovely old apartment building. A one-bed, one-bath rents for $1,260 a month today. Here’s their website, if you’re interested. It does have photos of the place, and one even has a cat on the bed.

Here’s some interesting information. Florence Margaret Hertler, and her partner Alice Chellberg, were recorded as living on La Salle Street in the 1940 census. Florence was 35 and Alice was 32. They both had attended college. In fact, Florence graduated from the University of Michigan in 1928. Want to see?

That’s from her yearbook. Alice went to the University of Illinois, and she is listed as a graduate student in their yearbook; there is a group photo but I can’t seem to figure out which one she is. Alice moved in with Florence sometime between 1935 and 1940. Florence was a receptionist at a doctor’s office and Alice was a lawyer! In February 1953, the Southeast Economist published an article about a talk she was giving:

Florence returned to Ann Arbor at some point and passed away in 1993. Alice died in 1984.

Like Miami Beach? Check these out:

Suez Motel

Motel Row

Greetings From…

Vintage Postcard – Tamiami Motel – Bradenton, Florida

TAMIAMI MOTEL
Howard and Dorothy Weidman (813) 745-5511
Business Route 41 — 1715 14th Street West
Bradenton, Florida 33505
Motel Rooms, Air Conditioned — T.V. — Jiffy Coffee
Furnished One and Two Bedroom Apartments, Air Conditioned and T.V. Near Churches, Shopping Centers, Restaurants, Gulf Beaches. Master Charge — BankAmericard — Diners Club Honored.

Color & Pub. by Paul Patterson, Bradenton, Florida 33505
#R10823

This lovely vintage postcard, featuring the Recommended Dominion Automotive Association and Recommended Mobil Travel Guide logos was mailed using both an 8-cent purple Eisenhower USA stamp and a 2-cent blue Frank Lloyd Wright stamp. The cancellation is unclear. The Eisenhower stamp was issued 1971 – 1974, and first-class rates for mail were 10 cents. Postcard rate didn’t go up to 10 cents until 1978, but the stamp would likely not have been used at that point. Who knows. Anyhow, it was mailed to Mr & Mrs. How. Mersino, 941 Lake Drive, Oxford, Mich 48051 and reads:

Hi: stayed here over nite, best at your moms now. Having a nice time, my suitcase got lost on the fees [?], so I’m wearing man’s clothes, washed my feet in the gulf last nite Love Mom.

Ok, how can you not LOVE that message. Mom lost her suitcase and is wearing men’s clothing now. But she is still having a nice time!

I have a card with another motel called the Tamiami, but not from Bradenton. Wikipedia notes: “the Tamiami Trail is the southernmost 275 miles (443 km) of U.S. Highway 41 (US 41) from Florida State Road 60 (SR 60) in Tampa to US 1 in Miami.” Bradenton is on the west coast, the north/south portion of the Tamiami.

In May 2016, the Bradenton Herald published an article that included “A developer has qualified for tax credits through the Florida Housing Assistance Corp. to possibly to turn more than 3 vacant acres along 14th Street West into housing for senior citizens. The 3.61 acres at 1715 14th St. W. is adjacent to the United Way and has long been vacant and a hub of homeless activity. According to plans, the developer wants to build a 72-unit facility called the Grand Palms.” Who knows how long ago the motel was torn down.

It looks like Howard Mersino passed away in 2002. The house at 941 Lake Drive, where this postcard was delivered, still stands (Google Street View):

Vintage Postcard – Monterey Motel & Apartments

50 Somerset Street
Clearwater  Beach, Florida 33515
Phone 446-9223 (Area 813)
Deluxe efficiencies and one-bedroom apartments. T.V., Central heating and air-conditioning. A block to beach, stores, restaurants, city bus and all conveniences. Off street parking.
Your hosts – Nancy & Jack (owner-mgrs.)

PostCard by Ward Beckett & Co. Clearwater, FLA.
Koppel Color Cards
107658

This lovely vintage postcard was mailed using a 6-cent Franklin D. Roosevelt stamp in 1970 to Miss Florence Hertler, 1100 N Dearborn, Chicago, Ill 60610. It reads:

Having a nice time and the weather is just great. Am here for just a few days. We’ll be back Monday April 20th. 
Herman.

O.M.G. What’s not to love about this card. Yes, there’s the big colorful umbrella. But wait, the person off to the side is shading with a little rain umbrella! There’s an old lady sunning herself in a dress and a shirtless man in blue swim trunks. I know you would like to sit down in that chair across from them and ask them where they are from. What caused them to move from wherever and live in the apartment or efficiency unit in Clearwater Beach? That is a building that looks like it could withstand a hurricane. The parking blocks are so white! Do you suppose Nancy weeds the flowers under the sign, and Jack cuts the grass? Oh, how lovely.

My friends, I am about to make your day:

There’s a pool now where the bit of grass used to be. The sign is gone. But it still stands. This whole street appears to be a bunch of old motels or apartments that are now condos. I can’t seem to find any information on Zillow, etc. about this exact location. I am just happy to know it is still standing and looking good, though. Maybe even better than in the postcard.

Like Clearwater Beach? Check these out:

Beach Motel

Glass House

400 Motel

Vintage Postcard – Southwind Motel Ocala

SOUTHWIND MOTEL
Located on U.S. 27 – 441 – 301
Two miles south of Ocala, Florida
20 units, 200 feet off the highway. Outdoor living — Pool — Play and Recreation area. Pets welcome. 2401 South Dixie Highway. Phone MArion 2-6461. Under management of Esther and T.O. Eaton.

New Color Card Technique, R.A. Lasater, Apopla, Fla.
C-12415

This lovely vintage card, which features the AAA logo, is unused. Someone has used a typewriter to put the following message on it: $6.00, double bed. That seems like a heck of a rate! No date on the card and I can’t quite make out the make of the car, but those types of phone exchanges were phased out by the 1960s. The convention for this one is the 2L-5N format, which was implemented in the late 1940s. The decorative holes in the sign pylon suggest a mid-century modern or Googie feel. I’d place this card in the mid-50s. I can’t find a listing for Ester or T.O. on Ancestry.

I really like this card. Love the pool. The motel looks quaint. Nice neon sign. I’d stay there.

Like Ocala? More here:

Twin Palms Court

Golden Spur

Star Motel

Vintage Postcard – Clearwater Memorial Causeway

Looking westward over Clearwater’s magnificent Memorial Causeway connecting the city with Clearwater Beach, Florida.
Colorphoto by Ward Beckett

Color Card by Ward Beckett & Co., Clearwater, FLA.
C-20166
C-25

This lovely vintage postcard is unused. This card is perfect Florida. Palm trees. Manicured shrubs. Sunshine.

I love the Clearwater Causeway, and have a number of postcards from it. I think Clearwater Beach must be a lovely place to live.

This morning we are due in for freezing rain. The forecast for temperatures near 60 later in the week have been revised down to 50. While we only have 63 days until spring, it cannot come a day too early for me.

More Clearwater Causeway here:

Sunset at the Clearwater Causeway

Twilight at the Clearwater Causeway

Clearwater Causeway

Vintage Postcard – Hi-Lander Motel Mount Dora, Florida

HI-LANDER MOTEL
510 Highland Ave., Mount Dora, Fla.
South Edge city limits on U.S. 441
Extra large rooms, Wall to wall carpet, Steam heat, Beauty Rest mattresses, Air-Conditioning, TV optional, Tiled shower baths, “20 Units”
Phone EV 2-6142     Lewis & Grace E. Shipley, Owners

Genuine Natural Color Made by Dexter Press, Inc., West Nyack, N.Y.
Pub by Dexter Photo Service, 169 Madison Ave., Daytona Beach, Fla.
9752-B

This lovely vintage postcard, featuring the AAA logo, was mailed using a gray 5-cent Washington stamp from Mount Dora May 7, 1965 and sent to Miss Florence Hertler, 1100 N. Dearborn St., Chicago 10, Ill. Apt 403. It reads:

We stopped at this motel for lunch while on a roomie drive yesterday. Next Sunday we are going to see “Sound of Music” in Winter Park, Fla. Weather has been pleasant & I hear it has been warm in Chicago. Return home May 14. Love Edna.

I have a few other cards sent to Florence Hertler from what must have been an estate sale. In case you can’t put Mount Dora on your mental map, it’s just north of Orlando, south of the Ocala National Forest. The directions on this card, south edge of the city limits on U.S. 441, helps to pinpoint a better location as Highland Avenue is now split into north and south and is pretty much neighborhoods in that area. I can’t find any evidence of this old motel with the fantastic sign, unfortunately.

Lewis and Grace E are buried at Pine Forest Cemetery in Mount Dora. Lewis was born August 22, 1900 and died in May 1982. Grace was born in 1914 and passed away in 1986.

Like the middle part of Florida? Check these out:

Twin Palms Court

Golden Spur

Ronnie’s Restaurant

Vintage Postcard – New Suez Resort – Miami Beach

Directly on the Ocean
The New Resort Motel
Suez
18215 Collins Ave. – Miami Beach, Fla.
Opposite Miami Beach’s most modern shopping center.
Miami Beach’s Newest Resort Motel — Centrally Air-Conditioned and Heated — Two Swim Pools — Large Private Sand Beach — 144 Modern Rooms and Efficiencies — Cocktail Lounge — Free T.V. in all rooms — Card Room — Kiddie Play Area, fully supervised — Coffee Shop — Dining Room — Planned Nightly Entertainment.
Phone: WIlson 7-0661

Curteichcolor 3-D Natural Color Reproduction (Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.)

This lovely vintage postcard was mailed using a three cent purple liberty stamp, placing it in 1954 (cancellation is unintelligible). It was sent to Miss Ruth W. Gasy, 86 Prospect St, Manchester, N. H. The handwriting is really most unusual on it. The message reads:

Temp 90°
Stopping here – Ocean & Pool actually hot. Very hot for 3 days. Visited with Glerwants [?] in Ft. Lauderdale Wed. & Thurs. 
Bessie & Arthur

This is the second card I have from the Suez. Check out the other one here.

Like Miami Beach? Check these out:

SeaCourt Motel

Buckingham Waterfront

Seascape Motel

Vintage Postcard – Pan American Hotel – Miami Beach

THE PAN AMERICAN HOTEL
Directly on the Ocean. 17875 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 41, Florida. A dream world . . . with everything that American design can offer appreciative guests!

Genuine Natural Color Made by Dexter Press, Inc., West Nyack, N.Y.
Pub. by Valence Color Studios
888 N.E. 79th St., Miami, Florida
68957

This lovely vintage card was mailed from Irving, Texas November 7, 1957 using a 3-cent purple liberty stamp and is part of the Price is Right card lot. This one was mailed to Bedroom Showcase, The Price is Right, Box 363, New York 46, N.Y. and reads:

Name: Ruby Martin
1018 Brookhollow Drive
Irving, Texas
Price: $1,113.90

Unfortunately, this grand old place was torn down and is now the Acqualina Resort and Spa. Here’s another old postcard featuring the Pan American that includes more of a description:

Completely Air-Conditioned. 150 Rooms each with Private Bath and Sun Terrace. Studio Rooms with Kitchenettes. Restaurant and Snack Bar – Cocktail Lounge – Beauty – Barber – Gift Shops – Valet – Garage – Parking – 400 Feet of Private Beach – Salt Walter Pool – Putting Green – Elevator Service.
Informal living for a selected clientele.

Also, I dug up a brochure for the Pan American that had a photo on a postcard and I remembered I have a card that matches in my collection. This one IS the Pan American Hotel, identified!

The Price is Right debuted in November 1956 on NBC. In 1963, it moved to ABC for a short stint, before it was off the air (1965 – 1972). In 1972, it was brought back on CBS. During the earlier years, there was a home viewer “showcase” where viewers would submit their bids via postcard.

More from my Price is Right collection:

Eastern Motel Miami Springs

Mari-Nelle Court

Motel Stewart

Vintage Postcard – Southwinds Motor Court

SOUTHWINDS MOTOR COURT
“Best For Rest”
Located on U.S. #1 along the bank of beautiful Indian River one mile north of Route 192 intersection, MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. 10 quiet restful units, children’s playground. Member Florida Motel Association.
Phone PArkway 3-0771
Mrs. Stephen Mandell, Owner-Manager

Sterling’s –Melbourne, Florida
42585

This lovely vintage postcard is unused.

I did a real basic search and couldn’t find an area that matched this location. There are other postcards of it online with the address of 2410 N Dixie Highway. Did a little more digging, and found a Headstone Application for Military Veterans for Stephen Dolan Mandell (2/1/1897 – 2/2/1955) signed by Rhoda M Mandell with the N Dixie Highway address. Rhoda May Mandell was born in March 1905 and passed away January 1993.