Have Fun at Reelfoot Lake

Remember the earlier post where I remarked that Tiptonville was a popular tourist destination? Well here’s why: Fun!  Unfortunately I don’t remember their being a miniature train, and wonder when it was put into operation. Judging from the cars visible on this postcard I’d guess that the photo was taken in the mid to late 1950s, just slightly before my time. As is often the case with postcards of this era, there’s a description on the back:

MINIATURE TRAIN RIDE, KIWANIS CLUB RECREATION CENTER, REELFOOT LAKE TIPTONVILLE, TENNESSEE
This beautiful lake was created in the wilderness of West Tennessee, by the New Madrid Earthquake of 1811-12. Nearby resort cities are: Samburg (on the lake), Ridgley, Union City, Dyersburg, in Tennessee, and Fulton, Hickman, Clinton, Wickliffe in Kentucky - Cairo, Ill., Carothersville, Hayti, Portageville, and New Madrid are across the Mississippi River, west of the Reelfoot area.
Color Photograph By L. D. Thompson

So, there once was a Kiwanis Club Recreation Center? I had no idea. It would be interesting to know what other attractions were offered. I’m just glad that I stumbled across this postcard. You know, it’s occurred to me that the twentieth-century was illustrated with postcards, at least the more pleasant cultural aspects of it. During my study of our family history I’ve found that the places we went, the things we did, can usually be found on postcards. I was watching some of our old 8mm home movies yesterday, most of which chronicle our vacations. Dad was fond of documenting those trips with great accuracy, even shooting footage of the motel signs were we stayed. Out of curiosity I searched eBay for postcards from those motels, and guess what? I found every one of them.