They kept everything.

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My Grandparents kept everything, and it all ended up in my lap. This collection of stuff ranged from the cool (WWII V-Mail from my Uncle Frank) to the "you've got to be kidding me" (receipts from a trip taken in the 50s). I've weeded out a lot of the nonsense and kept the more interesting (at least what was interesting to me). In turn I decided to create this site to not only post some items, but also as a research exercise. Most items are from Chicago and Detroit, but of course family trips expanded their reach of hoarding. I hope you enjoy this very random collection. Frank Kownacki

theme by Robin Wragg

 
The Chicago Railroad Fair started in 1948 and was so successful it was extended into 1949.  While the title makes it sound like just a typical trade show (and in many ways it was) it was also a lot more with various exhibits and the classic “fun for the whole family.”   Even with those high numbers in attendance it was apparently “the last great railroad fair” held (which means that there must have been a decent number of these in the past).  The theme of this fair, besides anything and everything RR, was the expansion of the RR west of Chicago.  This of course meant a model of a Western town had to be built, and of course there had to be a bank, hence the creation of this souvenir.  There are plenty of postcards and other images from this fair on the web, and it was a surprisingly large event held right on the Lake.  While researching this token I came across a modern event that I didn’t know existed: National Train Day.  And wouldn’t you know it that it is this Saturday May 7th!  There are various events being held across the country with multiple events being held in many states.  In my town there are tours of various train cars and locomotives, history related exhibits, some sort of entertainment, and of course train models.  Guess what the kid and I will be torturing my wife with this Saturday? 

The Chicago Railroad Fair started in 1948 and was so successful it was extended into 1949.  While the title makes it sound like just a typical trade show (and in many ways it was) it was also a lot more with various exhibits and the classic “fun for the whole family.”   Even with those high numbers in attendance it was apparently “the last great railroad fair” held (which means that there must have been a decent number of these in the past).  The theme of this fair, besides anything and everything RR, was the expansion of the RR west of Chicago.  This of course meant a model of a Western town had to be built, and of course there had to be a bank, hence the creation of this souvenir.  There are plenty of postcards and other images from this fair on the web, and it was a surprisingly large event held right on the Lake. 

While researching this token I came across a modern event that I didn’t know existed: National Train Day.  And wouldn’t you know it that it is this Saturday May 7th!  There are various events being held across the country with multiple events being held in many states.  In my town there are tours of various train cars and locomotives, history related exhibits, some sort of entertainment, and of course train models. 

Guess what the kid and I will be torturing my wife with this Saturday? 

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  1. familyephemera posted this
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