

This rare and visually rich real photo postcard (RPPC) offers a crisp and detailed streetscape view of Cheboygan, Michigan, likely photographed in the late 1920s to early 1930s, based on the style of the automobiles parked along the brick-paved main street. The photo captures a classic American downtown, with storefronts, signage, and vintage vehicles creating a vivid snapshot of small-town life between the World Wars. Electric streetlight wires crisscross above the street, adding charm and historical character. On the left side of the street, visible businesses include: Levine & Co. – offering “Ladies & Gents Furnishings” and Furniture, Briscott & Johnson Shoes – M.L. Elvey, Pontiac Auto Sales – under a hanging Oakland Pontiac sign, J. Post Hardware, and a Used Parts for Cars and Auto Wrecking garage. On the right side one can see signs for: Michelin Auto Sales, Hudson and Essex Sales & Service, and a prominent brick building, likely the U.S. Post Office, flying an American flag. Also visible farther back are: J. Post Hardware Co., Rapin-Hirsh Clothing Company, and a Drug Store, barely visible beneath an awning. This view features a bustling commercial corridor, showcasing American small-town commerce in a transitional era when automobiles were beginning to dominate main streets across the country. Cheboygan is a small city in northern Michigan, located at the mouth of the Cheboygan River where it empties into Lake Huron. It sits just southeast of Mackinaw City, making it part of the gateway region to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Historically, Cheboygan was a center of the lumber trade and later developed a strong tourism and boating culture due to its proximity to the Great Lakes. This postcard measures about 5 x 3 inches, The bottom-right corner appears slightly trimmed, possibly by a prior owner—either to fit an album slot, remove damage, or for display. While it’s unclear why, it does not significantly detract from the image or display value (see scans). This postcard qualifies as rare. I could not find an identical one using any of my multiple resources.
This vintage postcard is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $35.00 or best offer
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236235640801


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