Postcard of Fern Arch in the Buller Gorge, dated 1906

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Description"Fern Arch" in the Buller Gorge, as depicted on a postcard carrying the franked postmark of 20 July 1906. Of course, just when the photo was taken is another matter, but I note the arch came down in 1922.

This postcard is one of about 240 (I think) that I am progressively working through in an album, originally compiled by my great aunt Helen McGregor who grew up in Blacks Point. This card is addressed to Helen McGregor's sister Margaret (Maggie) McGregor, who in 1906 at 17 years of age had left home and was living with the Aitken family in Mace Street, Reefton; presumably as home help I'm guessing. An advertisement within PaperPast notes a Mr R.M. Aitken as a metallurgist of Reefton in 1900, so might be the same family.

As evident on this postcard, a number of the cards within the album are from someone named Nell, who was clearly a friend of the then 17 year old Maggie.

Many of the postcards within the album refer to Helen McGregor and her interest in collecting postcards at the time, so in 1906 presumably the 17 year old Maggie gave her 11 year old sister Helen, this postcard for her album. Based on the postmarks, the album appears to primarily span the period 1902 through 1920.

Admin: was damaged in 1929 earthquake them demolished in 1937 as a result.https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WDT19370925.2.20?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=fern+arch&snippet=true&sort_by=byDA.revDate of Photo1900`sMap^[1]ContributorKeith Funnell

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Landmark (Place)Fern ArchEventPostcard of Fern Arch in the Buller Gorge

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CommentsBrian Borgfeldt Seem to remember it being called Fern Gap in the early 50s. The road was single lane metal with the odd passing bay.

Keith Funnell Jessie Thompson and Elizabeth Ann Hoani, one of the postcards in your aunt Helen McGregor's album.

Cynthia McCaughan I have a number of postcards (and copies of the remainder) that comprise a collection that belonged to Eva Evans nee Lawn who also grew up in Blacks Point. They document the courtship between Eva and Harry Evans of Reefton, who was by then working in Greymouth, through their marriage (1906) and birth of their first children. Postcards from friends and relatives, many of places not specific to the Coast ("have you got this one yet?") As well as some numerous ones. Social media of the time, a cheaper way to communicate than by letter.

Keith Funnell Cynthia McCaughan the Lawn family of Blacks Point ... or some of them at least lived on Franklyn street, basically across the road from the McGregor family. There are multiple cards from the Lawn family in this collection as the children all went to Blacks Point School together. Given how small Blacks Point is, I’m guessing this is the same Lawn family

Cynthia McCaughan Keith Funnell yes 80% of Blacks Point population were Lawns. Eva was the daughter of James 'Jack's Lawn, his brothers and cousins were also in the area. Peter Lawn who ran the museum there is a descendant of John Lawn.
I would be interested in seeing any from my Lawns

Cynthia McCaughan Keith Funnell you might like to check out my blog
https://inkandstoneblog.wordpress.com

Keith Funnell Cynthia McCaughan ... yes, caught up with Peter last year at the Museum. Will PM you to get an email so as to exchange Lawn-related postcards

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Postcard of Fern Arch in the Buller Gorge, dated 1906

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