The Golden Age of Postcards was roughly from 1907 to 1915, a boom period marked by immense popularity, high-quality printing (often from Germany), and the standardization of the “divided back” format, allowing both message and address on the card, turning them into a primary, inexpensive form of communication and collecting for millions before World War I disrupted production and the telephone took over.

The only postcard I’m aware of, showing both the Wopsy Hotel and Railroad, is the
Real Photo Postcard shown here:

“ON THE WAY TO WOPSONONOCK, NEAR ALTOONA, PA.” – “Here is a picture of a little bit of a train, almost small enough for you to play with. Oh yes! Daddy,” sent to Stuart M. Brown Jr.

This one shows the Juniata Shops (still in operation today repairing trains by Norfolk Southern) with the little, white station for Wopsononock departures shown on the left. Sent to Miss Gertrude (AKA “Gertie”) Sinter? of Altoona from Lillie Sinter. “Save me a turkey leg on Thanksgiving! Ha! Ha!” And Lillie calls the card a “postal.” Sent in 1907, mailed from Imler, PA.

“Lookout Avenue, Wopsononock, near Altoona, Pa.” shows two cottages that are still there today. At the end of the road, a resort building is visible.

The Williams wished the Pattons a happy 1919 with a view of the mountain.

“Scene on the Narrow Gage, Wopsononock, near Altoona, Pa.”

“View of Mountains, Wopsononock, near Altoona, Pa.”

This Real Photo Postcard shows the mountain road with wire poles for telephone lines. The hotel had its own power plant for electricity.