Postcards Capture Fishing Camps of the Past Resort to…

 There are many famous tourist traps in every State in these United States.  Some are more well known than others.  This article is about none of them.  Instead, this article is dedicated to the independent men and women who, through their hard work and dedication, have created a small piece of heaven here on Earth generally called a fishing resort!

 The start of fishing for sport or recreation is not clear.  One can find references to fishing as far back as the 9th century BCE.  Surely at this time fishing was more for survival and not so much recreation.  While an exact date that fishing became a sport of recreation is unknown, an article was published in 1496 titled Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle.  By 1653 recreational fishing is well documented in a book by Isaac Walton, The Compleat Angler.

 With the passing of labor laws, Americans had more free time for recreation.  Travel by train took anglers to well-known locations with access by rail.  With the advent of the automobile and improved roads in the 1920’s and 1930’s, the call of the wild (pun intended) couldn’t be denied.

 One of the earliest Colorado resorts is the Woods Lake Resort.  South of Edwards, Colorado and next to the White River National Forest, Woods Lake Resort consisted of 41 log structures mostly built by its founder, Peter Engelbrecht, in the early 1900’s.   Used here in a promotional postcard issued by Colorado Midland Railroad, the resort boasted it was an ideal spot for fishing and outing.

Some resorts were pay-for-what-you-catch which worked great for families with young children just learning to fish. Buck Lake Ranch in Angola, Indiana is such a place.  Still in business today, this advertising postcard from 1957 says, “A Fisherman’s dream has come true at Buck Lake Ranch…”

 And of course, the more outrageous the advertising the better.  One of my favorite resort postcards is this one for Spring Creek Resort at Isabella, Missouri.  The resort featured 9 rental units, swimming pool, playground and boat docks on Bull Shoals Lake.

There are two events this summer worth attending, even if it means you won’t be fishing that day.  The first is the Denver Postcard & Paper Ephemera Show held July 14-15 at the Holiday Inn Lakewood, Hwy 285 & Wadsworth.  There will be postcards, advertising, and all kinds of paper ephemera.  Details can be found at www.denverpostcardshow.com.

 The second event is The Rocky Mountain Book and Paper Fair held September 8-9 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. There will be over 50 exhibitors with books, art and paper ephemera to sell.  Details are online at www.rmaba.org or call Carol or Bill Mobley at 303-761-3755 for more information.