Owensboro’s summer vacation spirit in 1925
The summer season was on the horizon 100 years ago, and residents of Owensboro-Daviess County were eagerly looking forward to their vacations. For many of these seasonal travelers, the idea of riding the rails was an attractive option – and local railroads competed fiercely for that tourist trade.
An article published in the June 28, 1925, edition of The Messenger noted, “The railroads have rates East, West and North. These have been on since early in May and many have taken advantage of them, others still using pencil and paper to see how far their money will go on the contemplated pleasure trip. Few, except on business, are making Southern points at this time.”
Speaking of budgeting those vacation dollars, the I.C. (Illinois Central) had implemented an interesting plan, but alas, it seemed to have been less than successful among local residents: “The I.C. has made vacationing easy for the salaried people, permitting them to buy certificates similar to war stamps, paste them in books, and when the required amount for the ticket is had, they find their vacation ticket already bought. So far, however, there have been no such tickets bought, and few inquiries.”
The L&N — Louisville & Nashville Railroad, also known as “The Old Reliable” — encouraged people to seek out new horizons. “If you live in the country, go to one of the big cities; if you live in the city, go to the country, the seashore, or the mountains. Get away from the place where you spend the rest of the year.”
Special summer tourist rates were available for travel on “splendid fast trains.” And don’t forget “the well-known excellence of … dining car service.”
Meanwhile, the Northern Pacific promised that a visit to the Rocky Mountains would change a person’s life forever. Once a person had experienced the “jagged skylines, tumultuous streams, glorious hours of physical exertion, the everlasting presence of the mountains, snowy clouds drifting across a Montana sky.”
One would see the world, and those in it, in an entirely new way: “We believe you’ll want different things, you’ll like different people, demand different kinds of fun! You will be a freer, surer, more interesting person. You’ll even like yourself better after a Rocky Mountain vacation.”
Prices for round-trip tickets from Owensboro started at $71.75 for a destination to Yellowstone Park, $74.25 for Montana, or, for the really adventurous (and wealthy) soul, $184.25 for Alaska.
Of course, plenty of people chose to travel by automobile. “No distance is now too long for the vacationer and his family by motor route,” and Owensboro seemed to be a central location through which travelers to and from other points passed. “Tourists cars are coming through Owensboro daily from all directions — cars from California to Pennsylvania, New York, and other points are seen on the streets filled with vacation hunters.”
Even for those who planned to stay at home, there were still plenty of activities from which to choose.
The YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) was busily organizing junior clubs, which would feature “parties, plays, pageants, athletic contests, picnics and summer camp … as well as subjects of special help to business and professional women and girls.”
Not to be outdone by the girls, the YMCA was prepared to send another large delegation of boys to Camp Daniel Boone, located on the Kentucky River. “There is not a red-blooded boy in Owensboro but what would like to attend just such a camp.”
Regardless of their destinations, those who planned to travel were advised to stock up on such varied essential as fine linen stationery, guaranteed to impress recipients of letters home; and Chamberlain’s Colic and Diarrhoea Remedy, which boldly stated it would alleviate “fear of evil resulting from change of diet, water or climate – concerns of those who take on the short trip, summer vacation or long journey.” It was, in fact, “ready for emergency – night or day.”
Good to know.
Of course, even during the summer months, there was always work to be done, and 1925 offered an outstanding employment opportunity: The construction of a lock and dam at the foot of Woodford Avenue. “Work at the dam is much in demand by college boys home for their summer vacations and the larger high school boys,” noted a June 28 article in the Messenger-Inquirer, which mentioned these young men were among 389 skilled workers and common laborers working 24 hours a day in three shifts. Weather permitting, work was expected to continue until the middle of December, with the project scheduled to be completed by 1927.
A century later, we all still look forward to summer vacation. Whether your plans include travel, camping, outdoor recreation or just working — we wish you a season of happiness and health.
Send a postcard, and don’t forget your daily dose of Chamberlain’s. OL
