Lumber
In the late nineteenth century, Wisconsin was among the leading lumber states, and logging continued in the north into the early twentieth century. Lumber camps, crews, horses, sleighs loaded with logs, log drives on the Wisconsin, Chippewa and Wolf rivers and sawmill towns such as Wausau, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Rhinelander and Marinette appear on cards. Real photos of camps and crews are among the most sought-after Wisconsin cards.
Dairy
As the forests were cut, farmers turned to dairying, and Wisconsin became America's Dairyland. Real photos of dairy farms, barns, creameries, cheese factories and milk wagons are distinctive Wisconsin subjects. Cheese factories, often small buildings at country crossroads, were photographed by local photographers and are collected.
Breweries and Milwaukee
Milwaukee was famous for its breweries, including Schlitz, Pabst, Blatz and Miller, and its factories, neighborhoods, streets and lakefront appear on many cards. Brewery cards are popular with breweriana collectors. Real photos of neighborhoods, taverns and businesses are more interesting than printed landmarks.
Lakes and resorts
The northern lakes, around Minocqua, Eagle River, Rhinelander and Hayward, had resorts, fishing camps and cottages, and Lake Geneva in the south had grand estates. The Wisconsin Dells, with its rock formations and boat tours, was a popular attraction. Real photos of resorts with names and fishing scenes are collected.
Great Lakes ports
Green Bay, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Racine, Kenosha, Superior and Ashland had harbors, shipyards and ore docks. Real photos of ships, harbors and shipyards are popular with maritime collectors.
Places and subjects to look for
- The north woods: lumber camps, Rhinelander, Hayward and the lakes.
- Lumber towns: Wausau, Eau Claire, Oshkosh and Marinette.
- Dairy country: farms, creameries and cheese factories statewide.
- Milwaukee: breweries, neighborhoods and the lakefront.
- Madison: the capitol and the university.
- The Dells: rock formations and boat tours.
- Lake Superior: Superior, Ashland and the Apostle Islands.
Immigrant communities
German, Norwegian, Polish, Swiss, Belgian, Dutch and other settlers built churches, towns and halls across the state, and real photos of their communities and celebrations are collected by heritage and local collectors.
Real photos versus printed views
Milwaukee, Madison and the Dells were printed in quantity. Real photos of lumber camps, dairy farms, cheese factories, small towns and lake resorts carry most of the value in a Wisconsin collection.
What is common
Printed views of the capitol, Milwaukee buildings, the Dells and later chrome lake and fishing cards are plentiful.
Why Wisconsin town cards stay in demand
Wisconsin has a strong local-history culture and many collectors who focus on a single town or county. Cheese factories, creameries and small depots that once dotted the countryside have mostly disappeared, and real photos are often the only record of them. Families with roots in those communities and collectors of rural Wisconsin history look for them closely.
Railroads and depots
The Chicago and North Western, the Milwaukee Road, the Soo Line and the Wisconsin Central crossed the state, and small-town depots with trains, milk cans and waiting passengers were photographed by local photographers. Logging railroads ran deep into the north woods. Real photos of depots and trains are collected.
Disasters and events
Wisconsin real photographers recorded forest fires, tornadoes, floods and train wrecks, along with county fairs, homecomings and ethnic celebrations. Event real photos from identified Wisconsin towns are prized.
Questions about Wisconsin postcards
Are Wisconsin lumber camp postcards valuable? Real photos of camps, crews and log drives are among the most collectible.
Are cheese factory postcards collectible? Yes, real photos of factories and creameries are distinctive Wisconsin subjects.
Are Milwaukee brewery postcards worth anything? Brewery views are popular with breweriana collectors.
Do you buy Wisconsin collections? Yes, complete collections from anywhere in the state, by mail.