A Hollywood Newcomer's Cabin, 1909
The Seldom Inn/Courtesy Tommy Dangcil In early 20th century Los Angeles, it was stylish to send postcards of local houses--whether your own, a friend's or a movie star's--to the folks back home. When I met the local historian Tommy Dangcil last month, I was struck by the number of such cards in his collection. Because he had published a collection of postcards that included Hollywood homes (Hollywood 1900-1950 in Vintage Postcards, Arcadia) I knew about the phenomenon, particularly in regards to the mansions of local grandees. But I was more impressed by postcards of houses that were utterly ordinary--except, of course, for their exotic location.
The messages on such cards invariably express delight about life in Southern California--the houses, flowers and climate. The sense of departure from old norms is still palpable today, as in the card pictured above. Though the house is a tiny, unlandscaped cabin, it is brand new and--as the writer proudly attests--"Just three rooms but all we need for we are 'Seldom inn' unless it rains."
Next time: "I Love You, California": the song, the era and the ad.
Related post: http://underthehollywoodsign.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/visiting-tommy-dangcil/