( Shhh -- Treeland is Bridgeport’s best kept secret ! )
Beardsley Park History in Postcards
After 130 years, and despite the loss of some of its features, Beardsley Park still retains much of its beauty and charm.
1878 Park land donated by James W. Beardsley.
1881 Park Plan created by leading Landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.
1889 Early newspaper reference to "Beardsley park".
Below are some great vintage postcards. Many are from the Connecticut Historical Society via Connecticut History Online (Connecticut State Library). Some others are courtesy of cardcow.com.
If you have old postcards or photos, please think of donating them to an organization like the Bridgeport History Center, Connecticut History Online ,Connecticut State Library or The Connecticut Historical Society rather than tossing them.
Are you a collector? You can start your own collection by clicking the image to take you that page of cardcow.com for actual cards. My thanks to Eric at cardcow.com.
If you need a high-resolution image of a card, contact Connecticut History Online or The Connecticut Historical Society.
Postcards hold some wonderful history, so I encourage you to do some browsing in all the above resources.
About Postcards
In the US pre-stamped postal cards appeared in 1873, but The Unites States Postal Service was the only one allowed to print the cards until May 19, 1898. Only the government was allowed to print the word "Postcard" on the back of postcards. Private printers used the terms, Souvenir Card, Correspondence Cards and Mail Cards.
Most postcards up until 1898 are "Undivided Back" cards meaning they do not have the line going down the center of the card. Also, writing was not permitted by law on the address side on any postcard until March 1, 1907. Any messages were written across the front over the photographs or artwork on the card.
from the The History of Postcards
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
Card Before 1912. This looks as if it is looking north on Noble Avenue -- that would place the trolley close to the current entrance.
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
"The Falls" before 1906 .
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
The Pavilion before 1908. Is this the building below the zoo now?
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
Anne Hathaway Cottage, Beardsley Park??
The Bridgeport History Center explains that " A replica of William Shakespeare’s home, the “Anne Hathaway Cottage” was built in the park on the 300th anniversary of the author’s death." which would make it 1916.
Connecticut History Online describes a similar postcard as "A half-timbered, thatch-roofed cottage is surrounded by flower gardens. Vines grow on the wall and a stone wall is in the foreground. Three people, apparently two women and a boy stand on a paved walk at the right near a hanging sign." and gives a creation date of 1915-1930.
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
"Lovers' Island" Beardsley Park I haven't been able to find any reference to Lovers Island on maps or in available internet references. It's possible it was a nickname for the island.
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
A different view of the rustic bridge and island with a date of 1915-1930 is available on Connecticut History Online. Click to view the image on their great site
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
Stone bridge before April 1945.
Another view of the Henry Setzer (Stone) Bridge with a date of 1915-1930 is available on Connecticut History Online. Click to view the image on their great site.
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
Mountain Laurel along the river before Jan 1932.
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
Walkway before June 1944
Another view of the Walkway with flowering shrubs is available on Connecticut History Online. Click to view the image on their great site.
A View of Victory Arch, Beardsley Park with a date of 1915-1930 is available on Connecticut History Online. Click to view the image on their great site.
Courtesy cardcow.com Click image to go to cardcow page.
Before Dec 1949 with the Tennis Courts in use.
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Another view of Start of Gold Course. dated 1915-1930 is available on Connecticut History Online. Click to view the image on their great site.
Yes, Beardsley Park! It appears to be looking north on what is now East Main Street.
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It appears that much of the northern end of the current park was part of the Golf Course. Another view, Water Drive at Golf Links, dated 1915-1930, is available on Connecticut History Online. Click to view the image on their great site.
This view appears to be looking north on the Pequonnock River just down from the current ball fields and sliding hill.
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Still another view dated 1915-1930, The Waterdrive on Golf Course, is available on Connecticut History Online. Click to view the image on their great site.
This view may be looking south just a bit south from the previous view. Before the 1-95 connector was built, there was easy access to the other side of the Pequonnock.
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A view now within Beardsley Zoo, dated before 1938, shows a rather elaborate arbored walkway to the greenhouse along with a number of decorative floral beds. It is available on Connecticut History Online. Click to view the image on their great site.
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Still looking for one of Sylvan Beach a fresh water beach on what is now Bunnell Pond.
More postcards at the Central High School site.
