The Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway produced a series of postcards to promote the scenic vistas along the railroad. All of these cards were of views along the mainline except for one showing Clatsop Beach. Dating these cards has been difficult but one thing can be used as a guide. On each of the cards on the reverse two men are listed as contacts for more information, Mr. R.H. Crozier and Mr. J.C. Moore. From material in my collection Mr. Crozier is listed as Assistant General Passenger Agent in 1920, and as G.P.A. in 1925. Sometime in 1941 Mr. Crozier retired and was replaced by Mr. R.W. Pickard who was both General Freight and Passenger Agent. During the war Mr. Pickard was replaced by Mr. J.C. Moore who was also the GF&P Agent. It is thought that all of these cards were produced prior to 1948 when the logo was changed. I have not found any cards that have Mr. Pickard listed and this makes sense as this would have been during the war with its travel restrictions.

Other clues to the issue dates of these cards can be determined by the reverse sides below. It is felt the cards were issued in the following order and some characteristics. Again, this identification is personal observations of myself and Ron Peterson.

1st. Issue, R.H. Crozier, GPA, "S" in Spokane located to right of center of logo, "&" instead of "and" in name, no "Place One Cent Stamp Here", light shade of blue text.

2nd. Issue, R.H. Crozier, GPA, "S" in Spokane located to right of center of logo, "and" in name, Has "Place One Cent Stamp Here", notice that the railway name is located towards the middle of the stamp location, darker shade of blue text.

3rd. Issue, R.H. Crozier, GPA, "S" in Spokane to left side of logo, "and" in name, has "Place One Cent Stamp Here", medium shade of blue text.

4th. Issue, R.H. Crozier, GPA, "S" in Spokane located to right of center of logo, "&" instead of "and" in name, "Railway" instead of "Ry." in name, smaller size and different font in  "Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway", the text "Between Spokane, Portland and Pacific Ocean Resorts" changed to "Between Spokane And Portland Along the Columbia River, Through the Cascade Range.", the change of this text probably coincided with sale of the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Transportation Co. which operated bus service to the coast, with this issue the card changed to a "linen" type.

5th. Issue, J.C. Moore, General Freight & Passenger Agent, otherwise all details same as 4th. Issue card. I would like to thank Ron Peterson for his assistance in identifying these cards. Ron is a diligent collector and historian of all things relating to the SP&S.

 

THE CARDS Columbia River, Cascade Mountains Clatsop Beach, Seaside, First Image Clatsop Beach, Seaside, Second Image Columbia River, Mount Hood Columbia River, Mount Hood, from Bingen-White Salmon Bonneville Dam, Columbia River

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The North Bank Road Collectibles of the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway Copyright 1999 Richard Wilkens, all rights reserved