Postmarked: Indianapolis, IND., MAR 15, 1909 – 5:30 PM
Received: CAMPO, CAL., MAR 22, 1909 – AM
Message:
Dear Katie –
Are spending a few days in Indianapolis so send you a card that will remind you of your home city. This city is a beautiful one, I think and will have a population of 300,000 they say the next census.
Lovingly, Marissa
Addressed to:
Mrs. A. H. Hollenbeck
Campo, Cal.
San Diego Co.
A penny for your thoughts … According to the 1909 R.L. Polk Indianapolis City Directory, Indianapolis’ population was 240, 150. The 1910 City Directory reports 248,645 territory residents. However, the 1910 U.S. Bureau of Census reports the Indianapolis city population as 233,650 (making it the 22nd largest city in the country.) By 1913 R.L. Polk Indianapolis City Directory reported the city’s population as 266,935 residents. Although shy of Indianapolis’ “temporary goal of 300,000” and Marissa’s note, the population grew by over 81,000 in the ten years from 1900 – 1910. By 1920, the U.S. Census Bureau officially counted the Indianapolis proper population at 314, 194 residents.
At that time the “industrial revolution” had rapidly overtaken the past agricultural economy of the US, and with Indianapolis being one of several railroad hubs in the US (Chicago, Saint Louis, Kansas City and Atlanta being other major hubs) Indianapolis was a “magnet” for a diversified manufacturing and distribution oriented economy. During the 1890-1920 census periods, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Atlanta all had similar population statistics and growth rates, at least from what I could discern…