Michael Bushnell
Publisher

This week our National Park tour takes us to Everglades National Park at the Southern tip of Florida. The park itself protects roughly 1.5 million acres of marshes, forests and wetlands that was the first National Park to not boast of any outstanding geographical features. Moreover, the park was created to protect the fragile ecosystem that exists south of Lake Okeechobee and southwest to Florida Bay.

The park was established in 1934 and dedicated in 1947 as part of an effort to not only protect the ecosystem in the Everglades but also to stem the waters of Lake Okeechobee from being diverted for development purposes during the 1930’s and 40’s.

The park is home to over 350 species of birds, over 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 species of mammals and 50 species of reptiles including the American Crocodile, a protected species along with the Florida Panther and the West Indian Manatee.

This Linen-era Postcard was published by the Color Picture Publishing Company of Boston Massachusetts and shows the Seminole Indians in Florida. It was sent to Cynthia Glasser of 604 Metropolitan Avenue, Bronx, NY on April 7, 1949. The personal message reads:

“Dear Cynthia,
How are you? I met Adrienne in the hotel in which I am staying called The Sands. They own a water front on the Atlantic Ocean. Also a pool, it is very hot here. Love, Judy.”