Lidberg Studio, Divided Back, Packet Boat & Bridge, Red Wing, 1912

This divided back postcard, published by Lidberg Studio in Red Wing, Minnesota, captures a packet boat passing under a bridge. The scene is a classic representation of early 20th-century river transportation, with the steamboat's smokestacks emitting plumes of smoke as it navigates the waterway. The bridge's iron structure is prominently featured, showcasing the engineering marvels of the era.

The postcard is postmarked April 2, 1912, from Red Wing, Minnesota, and addressed to Mrs. J. E. Lynch in Zumbro Falls, Minnesota. It bears a green one-cent U.S. postage stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin. The back of the card reads: "Friend received your card. This great weather is an advantage. I want to see you soon. Tell me when you are coming. I am ready. Yours, B."

This postcard documents the significance of river transport in the early 1900s and the role of bridges in connecting communities. Red Wing's historical context as a river town is highlighted, offering insights into regional development and communication patterns of the time. Surviving examples provide valuable records of daily life and technological advancements.