This real photo postcard captures a moment in time outside St. Leo’s School, a two-story wooden schoolhouse with a central bell tower topped by a cross. The sign above the doorway clearly reads “ST. LEO SCHULE,” suggesting a German influence in the local community. The school stands in what appears to be a rural area, with a few trees and a distant building visible in the background. In front of the school, a large group of schoolchildren—boys and girls of various ages—stand in an orderly line. The girls are dressed in long skirts or dresses, many wearing aprons over them, while the boys are attired in dark suits, jackets, and trousers, appearing more formal. A single teacher, possibly Joseph, who wrote the message on the card, stands among them, dressed in a longer coat. The handwritten inscription on the front of the postcard identifies the scene:“This is St. Leo’s School, taken last year. My school, St. Leo’s, So. Min.” On the back, a brief note is addressed to Mr. B. S. Kuchen in Albany, Minnesota, and is signed Joseph. He mentions receiving a letter and promises to respond soon, adding: “Teaching is fine now I suppose. It’s cold. Regards, Joseph.” The postmark is from Saint Leo, Minnesota, dated October 12, 1908, and features a one-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp. This postcard is a wonderful historical artifact, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century rural education in Minnesota. The presence of a German-language school sign and the formal attire of the children suggest a tight-knit immigrant community. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 