Presenting, for Flashback Friday this week — a 100 year old postcard view of an incredible Raleigh architectural treasure — the Meredith College building. I’ve always loved this postcard, as it captures in vivid color a view of old Raleigh we can nowadays only imagine. And sadly…a view that is long-lost.

Dear Lottie
We are having [?] a hard time to find a house. We reached here O.K. every [?] thing is fine like… [the rest of the message is illegible.]

No stamp, no postmark — looks like this postcard was never mailed. Wonder if ‘Lottie’ ever read it? And the handwriting is beyond my cypher ability. Anybody got a clue?

The old Meredith College (aka Baptist Female University) building was designed by the enigmatic Raleigh architect, A.G. Bauer, and erected in 1899. Ultimately acquired by the state of North Carolina in 1950, the brick behemoth was demolished in 1967. Among Bauer’s many Raleigh commissions in his characteristically turreted style, was the Hotel Raleigh on Nash Square — featured in a previous Flashback Friday post.

The image depicted on this particular postcard has always beguiled me — I love those two young ladies in their pretty spring dresses. I wonder who their dapper male escort could  be?

Our Flashback Friday postcard this week was published by the renowned Hugh C. Leighton Co. of Portland, Maine.

The Hugh C. Leighton Co.   1906-1909
Portland, ME

A printer and major publisher of national view-cards, especially scenes of New England. They printed most of their cards in four distinct styles usually employing tinted halftones. Most of their cards had a subdued but recognizable pallet. While some cards were printed at their plant in the U.S. most were manufactured in Frankfurt, Germany. Almost all their cards were numbered. They merged with Valentine & Sons in 1909.

“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!