Mystery Postcard

A few weeks ago Dick Ireton alerted me to the sale of a postcard that was offered on EBay. The scene was unidentified, but the New Gretna post mark suggested that the photo may have been taken on the Bass River.

The upper left message is somewhat cryptic and may present some clues as to the location of the postcard photo - "Tuckerton of Str EJ McKeever. NJ". Does the symbol of a shamrock mean anything to anybody? Any guesses on the name of the garvey (First 3 letters are ALD)? Unfortunately, I can't decipher the name of the person sending the postcard, as it may be a significant clue.

I sent a copy of the postcard to my Bass River expert, Jim McAnney, in hopes that his knowledge of the Bass River may shed some light on the photo's location. Following is his reply.

I think the picture could be the John Mathis farm. It looks like it could have been taken across from the lower end of Allen's Dock. Being east of McKeevers, this is my best guess. The grove of trees on the right of picture looks similar to the one that was near the John Mathis house.(This guess plus a dollar will get you a cup of coffee)!!!!

Jim

The McKeever Brothers owned the Crab Island Fish Factory and kept their menhaden fishing boats near the Bass River bridge for the winter. They owned the area now called Allen's Dock. Does the postcard notation regarding EJ McKeever somehow refer to this area?

The McKeever Brothers menhaden fishing boats docked near the Bass River bridge for the winter. Courtesy of Paul Steinhaurer.

I am hoping that someone out in the Blog-O-Sphere may be able to shed some light on the location of the postcard photo.

Pete S