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Postcard Gallery - 1950's
Motels & Resorts Views
(196 Items)

Many of these cards were purchased on ebay, some were donated by classmates, and others were shamelessly plagiarized from unsuspecting ebay sellers who were demanding a king's ransom for them.

Cards and other images in this gallery are from the 1950 decade. If you grew up in the Gaylord area during this decade you will fondly remember many of these scenes. A few of the cards couldn't be accurately dated so we put them here because they appeared to be from this era.

Here's how to view them; click on the Thumbnail Panel numbers to select which set of thumbnails that you would like to view, then just click on the thumbnail image and the full-sized image will be displayed below. Postcard descriptions and captions will be displayed at the bottom of the full-sized image. To select a different decade, click on the Postcards icon in the upper right-hand area of the page and select a different one:

  • Postcards - 1950's: -AuSable Resort - 1958
  • Postcards - 1950's: Perrin's Motel on Otsego Lake - 1950's
    Check out the old Chevy in the background. Also note the old telephone number. It was before we had dial phones and the operator would ask, "Number Please?"
  • Postcards - 1950's: -Gay El Rancho - 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: -AuSable Lodge - Canoeing
  • Postcards - 1950's: -AuSable Ski Club - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: -AuSable Ski Club - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Birch Hill Motel - 1950's
    6 miles South of Gaylord, Michigan on U.S. 27. Overlooking beautiful Otsego Lake Modern with tiled showers For reservations write - Birch Hill Motel, Route 2, Gaylord, Michigan or phone Gaylord 1-3131
  • Postcards - 1950's: -Butcher's "Break O' Day Resort" - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: -Gay El Rancho - 1953
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - 1959
    The "Ox Yoke" building situated right on the beach offers a breath-taking view of lovely Lake Dixon through its big picture windows. The huge patio in front is the scene of afternoon dancing and outdoor barbeques. Inside you can lounge in front of the fireplace, play ping pong, dance, eat, or shop.
  • Postcards - 1950's: -Gay El Rancho - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: -Gay El Rancho Dude Ranch - 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho House Band - 1952
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Clubhouse - 1952
  • Postcards - 1950's: Graywood Circle - Otsego Lake - 1952
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hayes Motel
    Relax and enjoy your vacation with us on beautiful Otsego Lake, "In the heart of the nation's playground." Completely modern, single, double and housekeeping units. Fully equipped. Play gym for children and park-like grounds. Open year 'round. Fishing, hunting, swimming, skiing and other sports. 2 blocks from state park, white sandy beach - Life guard. Phone Gaylord 1-2132 - Larry and Bille Hayes
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club - 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Boat Rentals - 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Lobby - 40's or Early 50's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Lounge
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - 1957
  • Postcards - 1950's: Lancasters Resort  - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Malcolm's Motel  - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Nutty Pine Resort - 1952
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club - 1956
  • Postcards - 1950's: Pleasant Point Motel - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Pleasant Point Motel - 1950's Card Back
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Lodge - Late 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Lodge - 1954
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Lodge - Late 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Club - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Club - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Club - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Lounge
    SNOW VALLEY SKI CLUB - GAYLORD, MICHIGAN - Located west side of Otsego Lake. Accommodations for 1000 persons - dining and dancing.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Rope Tow - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley
    SNOW VALLEY SKI CLUB - GAYLORD, MICHIGAN - Located west side of Otsego Lake. Certified instruction - national ski patrol.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Matchbook - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Lounge
    SNOW VALLEY SKI CLUB - GAYLORD, MICHIGAN - Located west side of Otsego Lake. Relaxing in the rustic lounge after skiing.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Home of Otsego Ski Club - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: At Hidden Valley - Home of Otsego Ski Club - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: The Alpine Court - South US-27
  • Postcards - 1950's: The Arbutus Resort
  • Postcards - 1950's: Birch Hill Motel
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Golf Course
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Club
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Resort - West Otsego Lake Drive
  • Postcards - 1950's: Wholfeil's Resort
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Horseback Riding - 1955
  • Postcards - 1950's: Ken Mar On-The-Hill - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Slopes - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Slopes - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Scenic Train - 1958
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho
    The Ox Yoke Beach Building with large spacious Dance Hall, large Recreation Room, beautiful Stage, Snack Shop and Gift Shop on the shores of beautiful Lake Dixon at GAY EL RANCHO RESORT RANCH, GAYLORD, MICHIGAN.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - 1958
  • Postcards - 1950's: Ken-Mar "On The Hill" - 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Idylwild Resort - Otsego Lake - 1952
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Postmarked 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club - 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club - 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Graywood Circle - 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Kenmar "On The Hill" - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Idylwild Resort - Postmarked July 12, 1956
  • Postcards - 1950's: KenMar On The Hill - Postmarked June 26, 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley (Otsego Club)
  • Postcards - 1950's: Topsail Pines Resort - 1950's
    TOPSAIL RESORT - Overlooking Otsego Lake - On U.S. 27 - 5-1/2 miles south of Gaylord, Michigan. Topsail Resort welcomes you to beautiful Otsego Lake for a restful and quiet vacation. Modern efficiency cottages and Motel. Private Showers. Our Gift Shop is open for your enjoyment. Curios and imports from the Four Corners of the World. Genuine Indian Jewelry - Pottery - Moccasins and Hand Carved Totem Poles. Open Year 'Round - Phone Gaylord 13324 - Route 2, Gaylord, Mich. Frank & Emily M. Schlang - (blacked out) Ed & Marie Warne
  • Postcards - 1950's: Corey Cove Resort - Otsego Lake - Postmarked July 25, 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Wohlfeil's Lake View Resort
    Otsego Lake and Lake View Resort - Welcomes you to Michigan's Woods and Waters. 1348 ft. above sea level - Ideal for hay fever and asthma relief. Excellent fishing, hunting, swimming and center for winter sports. Nine modern housekeeping cottages. Boats go with cottages. Route No. 2 - Phone 3 F 6.
  • Postcards - 1950's: At Hidden Valley Home of Otsego Ski Club - Gaylord, Mich - Postmarked August 5, 1955
  • Postcards - 1950's: Timberly Motel - U.S.27 South - Phone 8301
  • Postcards - 1950's: The Pro Shop - Hidden Valley - 1958
  • Postcards - 1950's: Geigler's Resort on Otsego Lake - Postmarked July 17, 1950
  • Postcards - 1950's: Alpine Motel - 1950's
    ALPINE MOTEL - U.S. 27 - 2 miles South of Gaylord, Michigan - Phone Gaylord 4081 - "Finest in The Northland" - 25 lovely units - single - double and family rooms. Attractively furnished with Rittenhouse furniture. Ceramic Tile baths - Central Heat - TV Lounge. Restaurants nearby. Open Year 'Round for Summer and Winter Sports. Fishing - Hunting - Skiing - Near to 7 Famous Trout streams and 127 Clear Lakes. 1/4 mile No. at Otsego Lake - near many Ski Clubs. Direct Route to Famous Straits of Mackinac Bridge. Rec. by Duncan Hines. Lucian & Mabel Del Din.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Corey Cover Resort - Otsego Lake - Early 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Price's Motor Court - Early 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: EDW. A. Wohlfeil - Lake View Resort - Early 50's
    Otsego Lake and Lake View Resort - Welcomes you to Michigan's Woods and Waters. 1348 ft. above sea level - Ideal for hay fever and asthma relief. Excellent fishing, hunting, swimming and center for winter sports. Nine modern housekeeping cottages. Boats go with cottages. Route No. 2 - Phone 3 F 6.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Dance Party - 1958
    GAY EL RANCHO RESORT RANC - GAYLORD, MICHIGAN - Afternoon dancing on the patio over-looking lovely Lake Dixon. This pation adjoins the spacious "OX Yoke" building with its fireside lounge, recreation room and little theater. (Gif shop and snack shop too.) Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hayes Motel - 1950s
    Relax and enjoy your vacation with us on beautiful Otsego Lake, "In the heart of the nation's playground." Completely modern, single double and housekeeping units. Fully equipped. Play gym for children and park-like grounds. Open year 'round. Fishing, hunting, swimming, skiing and other sports. 2 blocks from state park, white sandy beach - Life guard. Phone Gaylord 1-2132 - Larry and Billie Hayes
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Otsego Ski Club - 1950's
    A nifty '57 ford station wagon and a Rambler station wagon.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - October 20, 1956
    Complements of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley - Main Lodge - Early 50's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Nortland Motel - 1950's
    NORTHLAND MOTEL - Nine miles south of Gaylord, Mich. on U.S. 27 - 140 acres wooded land - Private lake with beach - Efficiency units - Fireside guest lounge - Private showers - Hot water heat - BOATING, FISHING, HUNTING, WINTER SPORTS - AAA and Duncan Hines Recommended - Post Office: Waters, Mich. Phone: Gaylord 12061 - Owned and operated by the Robert Kelleys
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Resort - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Postmarked July 14, 1953
  • Postcards - 1950's: Geigler's Cabins - Otsego Lake - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Hills - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Ski Jump at Snow Valley - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Skiers at Snow Valley - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley - Postmarked February 2, 1958
  • Postcards - 1950's: Main Lodge at Snow Valley - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Alpine Court Cabins - 1950's
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Geigler Resort - Otsego Lake - 1950's
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Postmarked June 9, 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Postmarked July 17, 1951
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Otsego Ski Club - Postmarked July 8, 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Early to Mid 50's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Alpine Court - Postmarked August 1, 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: AuSable Ranch & Ski Club
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Road Sign
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Lake Resort - Postmarked July 26, 1955
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Rope Tow
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley
    Compliments of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Arbutus Beach
    Compliments of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hearts Delight Motel
    Why not spend your vacation at Heart's Delight Cottages and Motel - On Beautiful Heart Lake. Completely Modern Housekeeping and Overnite Units. Boats Furnished. Safe Sandy Beach - Park-like Playground - Bar-B-Que Grill - Picnic Tables - Swings, etc. Open Year 'Round. Hunters - Skiers and All Winter Sports. - Phone 12212 - A. McNett
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Skiing
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Rope Tow
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Dining Room
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Club
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Club
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Dude Ranch
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Dude Ranch
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley 1959
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Main Lodge
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Timberly Motel - 50's
    MOTEL TIMBERLY - On U.S. 27 - South City Limits - Gaylord, Michigan - Adjacent to Golf Course. Center of Fine Skiing Area. 25 Attractively Furnished Units. Electric Heat - Ceramic Tile Tub & Shower Combinations. Hi-Fi and T.V. Near Excellent Downtown Restaurants. Phone 8301 - Your Hosts, Sharp & Rolfes.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Lakeside at Gay El Rancho
    Compliments of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Train
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Call of the Wild Lobby - 1960's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Music - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Horseback Riding 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Water Skiing 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Postmarked August 20, 1950
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Archery - Postmarked August 1, 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Postmarked January 23, 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Postmarked January 23, 1951
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - 1949
    Courtesy of eBay
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Postmarked June 7, 1954
  • Postcards - 1950's: Ken Mar On the Hill - Postmarked October 29, 1955
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho BBQ
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Dance Party
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Thunderbird Lodge
  • Postcards - 1950's: Pat's Nutty Pine Cabins
    Courtesy of John Wheeler
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Postmarked July 16, 1961
  • Postcards - 1950's: GayElRancho - Postmarked August 14, 1953
  • Postcards - 1950's: Corey Cove Resort - Postmarked July 23, 1958
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - The Log Mark
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - The Main Lodge
  • Postcards - 1950's: AuSable Resort - Postmarked September 6, 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Alpine Court - US-27 South
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Parking Lot
  • Postcards - 1950's: AuSable Resort - Postmarked August 6, 1958
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Ski Lift - 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: The Gay El Rancho Beach
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - River Cabin 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Pressler's Resort - Otsego Lake
  • Postcards - 1950's: Sunset Rustic Lodge - Postmarked July 30, 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Price's Motor Court
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Ski Club - Bowling Alley
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Horseback Riding
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Round-Up Week - Postmarked May 29, 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Search Posse
    GAY EL RANCHO RESORT RANCH - GAYLORD, MICHIGAN - Riding fun at Gay El Rancho where the good rider finds the kind of horses and trails unsurpassed for riding enjoyment. And the beginner gets the instruction necessary to help him enjoy this pleasure-giving sport. (C) 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Motel Timberly
    MOTEL TIMBERLY - U.S.27, South City Limits, Gaylord, Michigan - Adjacent to Golf Course - Center of fine Skiing Area - Electric Heat - HiFi and TV - Ceramic Tile Baths - Tubs and Showers - Near Good Downtown Restaurants. - Owners - Sharp and Rolfes - Phone 8301 (1955 Pontiac in Background)
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho -Patio
    GAY EL RANCHO - Gaylord, Michigan - Our spacious patio overlooks the pool and lake and offers a pleasant setting for your luncheon or afternoon cocktails, and under-the-starts dancing.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Chalets at HIdden Valley
  • Postcards - 1950's: The Hidden Valley lakeside retreat was on O'Rourke Lake
    (Thanks to the Otsego County Historical Society for the location of the retreat)
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Scenic Mountain Ride
  • Postcards - 1950's: Snow Valley Parking Lot
  • Postcards - 1950's: Ski Hill with rope tow poles
    Randy Kowalke and I painted the rope tow poles one summer.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Dancing The Night Away
  • Postcards - 1950's: Corey Cove Resort
  • Postcards - 1950's: A rope tow at Snow Valley
  • Postcards - 1950's: Ken-Mar "On The Hill"
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Thunderbird Lodge - Postmarked August 10, 1957
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley - Postmarked June 15, 1953
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Wildlife Room - Postmarked January 22, 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Archery Practice - 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: AuSable Ranch & Ski Club - Late 50's
    AU SABLE RANCH AND SKI CLUB - Featuring fine food, Snack Bar and Cocktail Lounge. Clean sleeping accommodations. Riding stable.25 miles of scenic trails on 35 hundred acres of beautiful wooded land including 11 lakes. On U.S.27 - 6 miles south of Gaylord, Michigan.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - On horseback around the lake.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Griffin's Resort - Otsego Lake
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club - Copyright 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Otsego Ski Club - Copyright 1959
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Postmarked September 22, 1953
  • Postcards - 1950's: AuSable Lodge in the Winter Night - 1950's
    The Club House - Au Sable Ranch and Ski Club - A year around family program featuring good food, snack bar service, cocktail lounge. Also archery, tennis, children's playground, horseback riding, 25 miles of scenic trails. Skiing and other winter sports. - 6 miles south of Gaylord, Michigan - Phone 2101 for reservations.
  • Postcards - 1950's: The Loft at Hidden Valley - 1958
  • Postcards - 1950's: Hidden Valley Parking Lot - 1950s
  • Postcards - 1950's: NorthernAire - US-27 and West Otsego Lake Drive
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Postmarked June 26, 1954
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Horseback Riding - Mid 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Horseback Riding - Mid 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Guest Ranch - Mid 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Guest Ranch - Lakeside on Horseback - Mid 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho - Bicycling 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: AuSable Lodge
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho New Year's 1955 Card
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Hawaiian Luau
  • Postcards - 1950's: The Alpine Court
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Guest Ranch - Early 1950's
  • Postcards - 1950's: Butcher's Break O' Day Lake Resort 1950s
    Postmarked July 3, 1962 ~ Enjoy your vacation at "Butcher's" Break-O-Day Resort on the beautiful east shore of Otsego Lake. Completely modern housekeeping and overnite COTTAGES, ACCOMMODATES 2 TO 10. All MOD. equipment. Boat included. Safe, sandy beach. Shuffleboard, horseshoes, croquet, badminten and volleyball. Barbecue and children's playground. Motors, live bait and tackle. Open year 'round to accommodate hunters, skiiers, etc. Ideal location for asthma and hay fever relief. For reservations, write R. R. No 2, Gaylord, Michigan, or phone 12083.
  • Postcards - 1950's: Gay El Rancho Cookout 1950s
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