Real Photo Postcard

"Scene of Accident at Letchworth Park"

Unknown Photographer

1917-1918

The automobile age brought new dangers and problems to the Park. During WWI the first modern fatality took place when a car lost control near the Portage High Bridge and plunged into the gorge. National guard troops stationed on the bridge during the War witnessed the accident and rushed to the scene, but were unable to save one of the female passengers. Another died later in an area hospital. It is very possible that this early hand colored postcard shows that accident. (See a newspaper account and an official report of what we believe to be this accident.)

An important challenge faced by the Park in the early years was accomodating the "modern" tourist and their automobiles, without losing the Victorian character of Mr. Letchworth's Glen Iris Estate.

For a view related to automobiles in the Park, see Image 36.