The 1913 flood
In March 1913, heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding across Ohio. Dayton was hit especially hard, but Columbus, Hamilton, Zanesville, Chillicothe, Marietta and many other towns were also flooded. Local photographers made and sold thousands of real photo postcards of the damage, rescues and aftermath. Flood cards are among the most collected Ohio subjects, and identified views from smaller towns are especially sought after.
Industry
Akron became the rubber capital of the world, home of Goodyear, Firestone and Goodrich. Dayton had National Cash Register and the Wright brothers. Toledo made glass, Youngstown and Canton made steel, and Cleveland had steel, oil refining and manufacturing. Real photos of factories and workers are collected by industrial historians.
Interurbans
Ohio had one of the largest interurban networks in the country, connecting nearly every city and many small towns. Postcards of interurban cars, stations, bridges and wrecks are popular with transportation collectors, and real photos of small-town stations are scarce.
Canals
The Ohio and Erie Canal and the Miami and Erie Canal crossed the state, and canal boats, locks and canal towns appear on cards. The 1913 flood destroyed much of the canal system. Real photos of canal boats and locks are collected.
Lake Erie
Cedar Point, on a peninsula near Sandusky, was a famous resort and amusement park, and the Lake Erie islands, including Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island, drew visitors by steamer. Real photos of steamers, resorts and amusement rides are popular.
Coal and clay
Southeastern Ohio had coal mines and mining towns, and the clay industries of East Liverpool, known for pottery, and Zanesville produced ceramics and bricks. Real photos of mines, potteries and workers are collected.
Places and subjects to look for
- Dayton and the Miami Valley: the 1913 flood, NCR and early aviation.
- Akron: rubber factories and workers.
- Cleveland: neighborhoods, industry and the lakefront.
- Cincinnati: the riverfront, inclines and neighborhoods.
- Southeast Ohio: coal towns, Marietta and the Ohio River.
- Lake Erie: Cedar Point, Put-in-Bay and the islands.
- Small towns: main streets, courthouses and depots in all 88 counties.
Cincinnati and the river
Cincinnati's riverfront, steamboats, inclined railways and neighborhoods appear on many cards. The Ohio River towns of Marietta, Gallipolis, Portsmouth and others had steamboats, levees and floods.
Real photos versus printed views
Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati landmarks were printed heavily. Real photos of small towns, the 1913 flood, interurbans, factories and canals carry most of the value in an Ohio collection.
What is common
Printed views of city landmarks, college buildings and later chrome highway and motel cards are plentiful.
Why Ohio town cards are so sought after
Ohio has a strong local-history culture and active collectors focused on single towns and counties. Many Ohio villages were photographed only by a hometown druggist or studio, in small runs. Real photos of main streets, schools, churches, interurban stations and events are often the only images of those places as they were. That is why Ohio collectors and historians follow these cards so closely.
Early aviation
Dayton was home to the Wright brothers, and Huffman Prairie, where they perfected their flying machine, and later McCook Field and Wright Field appear on cards. Early aviation real photos with identified aircraft and pilots are collected.
Fairs, Chautauquas and events
Ohio real photographers recorded county fairs, Chautauquas, homecomings, parades, circus days and political rallies, along with train and interurban wrecks, tornadoes and fires. Event real photos from identified towns are prized by Ohio collectors.
Questions about Ohio postcards
Are 1913 flood postcards valuable? Real photos of the flood are widely collected, especially identified views from smaller towns.
Are Ohio interurban postcards collectible? Yes, especially real photos of cars and small-town stations.
Are Cedar Point postcards worth anything? Early views and real photos of the resort and rides are collected.
Do you buy Ohio collections? Yes, complete collections from anywhere in the state, by mail.