PHOTO PAGES: POSTCARDS 

 

 

 

 

POST CARDS (click to enlarge)

 

 

 

NEW!!!!! 

 

This 1960's Postcard was published by Adams Specialty Co Nashville TN. Notice the Harbor is 100% intact. The caption on the back reads "Yacht Basin, Louisville KY, Ohio River in background".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1939 Postcard showing the harbor shortly after it was built in 1936. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A series of 1940’s Illinois Central Railroad postcards that also included St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans; The Mississippi River Bridge at Vicksburg; and Confederate Park in Memphis; The Harbor was once considered a major attraction and an engineering marvel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 1952 postcard - The caption reads: "Municipal Boat Harbor Louisville, Kentucky. Located on River Road, this excellent harbor is used by many boating enthusiasts". NOTE: The structure in the lower left foreground is the remnants of the rail line that was installed in 1940 to allow for the removal of boats from the Harbor by rail. It was believed to link with the Louisville Railway Co. Interurban Lines. (light rail) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This interesting shot appears to be from the mid fifties. The onshore mud indicates this was taken shortly after a major flood; possibly the 1955 event that crested at 31.8 ft... the 13th highest recorded.  The levee along Fulton Street appears to be recent and probably used as a collection area for this and past events.

 

The caption reads: Aerial of Yacht basin and Louisville KY. and goes on to say "This interesting aerial view shows the Louisville Yacht Basin in the foreground and Dead Man's Island between the basin and the main channel of the Ohio River. The Ohio River Bridges and downtown Louisville can be seen in the distance". We have never heard of Towhead referred to by this name. An attempt to boost postcard sales perhaps?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one appears to be from later time as the parking and drives are better defined and the trees are much larger. Besides the steamboat seen at center, a couple of small boats can be seen entering the upper end of the Harbor. . The caption reads: "AERIAL~TOWHEAD ISLAND~OHIO RIVER AT LOUISVILLE, KY." This view shows the true extent to which Towhead has eroded over the years. At least a third is now gone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These photos were taken in July of 1940 by Marion Post Wolcott. Ms Wolcott was assigned by FDR to document the south for the Farm Security Administration. Her photos appear in many depression era collections and exhibits. The fact that she saw fit to stop by is further evidence of the Harbor's historic and cultural significance. We found these in The Library of Congress.