This week’s Flashback Friday postcard was mailed in 1911 and features the brand new ‘Engineering Building’ on the NC State campus. I’m sure our regular Goodnight Raleigh readers who are NC State fans will recognize this campus landmark.

My dear little Baby —
I am afraid that your Mother has forgotten me — I think about you every day & just long to see you. I wonder if you are in short dresses. I hope not, for you must not get too big — We will soon be home now — then you will be all mine for a little while — don’t forget your loving
Aunt Helen.

Reading this sentimental message, I would guess ‘Aunt Helen’ doted on her little niece ‘Mary’ — and was most likely childless. Looks like her sister didn’t write her very often, either. The part about the ‘short dresses’ stumps me, though.

The ‘Engineering Building’ was designed by Raleigh architect Frank B. Simpson in 1910. It was later named in honor of George Tayloe Winston, second president (1899-1908) of the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Winston Hall now serves as a classroom and office building for NC State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS).

Courtesy NCSU Libraries Special Collections Research Center

 This photo of Winston Hall probably dates from 1915 or so.

Our postcard this week appears to be based on an architect’s rendering, as the loggia across the front was never built, and I have no idea where that wide expanse of lawn came from! It was published ca 1910 by F.M. Kirby, of Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Fred Morgan Kirby   1887-1997
Wilkes-Barre, PA

A publisher and large retailer of postcard views of the American South and mid-Atlantic region. These cards were sold from their Five & Dimes stores which numbered 96 in 1912.

“Flashback Friday” is a weekly feature of Goodnight, Raleigh! in which we showcase vintage postcards depicting our historic capital city. We hope you enjoy this week-end treat!