April 15th–it tends to be a somber day in the USA– being the annual deadline for filing taxes and all. The other somber occasion you’ve undoubtedly seen mentioned recently: this year, the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Seemed like an ideal time to share some Indianapolis focused travel advertising. The first one advertising “Frenzel Bros. Passenger Agency” from 1898, and presumably booked passage with the White Star Line among other top-of-the-line liners.
The following two are from 1906. The A. Metzger Agency appears to be of White Star Caliber and geography as well…
…and the last one: who would have guessed? Overnight journey by steamboat in the Great Lakes region? Before “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” it was “Horses, Trains and Ships.” Presumably, many an Indianapolis resident utilized all of the above…
Ever traveled by ship? Where’d you go and where did it fall on the glamor scale? Do tell! And may there be nothing tragic in your day!
The White Star line was in competition with the Cunard Line for transatlantic travel business, and the Titanic and Olympic were to be the major competitors for Cunard’s ships. The White Star Line never recovered from the Titanic sinking; later White Star was absorbed by Cunard.