Mission Valley, San Diego, California, 1909

Subjects: Aerial Views & Panoramas Mountains & Hills Rivers & Streams
Card type: Lithograph
Date: c. 1909 (Golden Age)

Back of Mission Valley, San Diego, California, 1909, c. 1909 lithograph postcard — Back

About this postcard

An elevated view looks down over Mission Valley, where the San Diego River loops across flat green bottomland toward hazy purple-brown hills and mountains on the horizon. Scattered white farm buildings, fences, and rows of trees dot the valley floor; at right a tall narrow structure and a long trestle-like line stand out. Mission Valley takes its name from Mission San Diego de Alcalá, founded in 1769 and moved to the valley in 1774. In 1909 the valley was still largely farmland and dairy country, and the scene predates the freeway and commercial development that later filled it.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pen

Dear Ida. 12-21-'09. I wish you a merry Xmas & a happy new year. We had a visit today & last eve from Wilson Bidwell (on his vacation from Stanford he is working in the mail service on P.R.) He is very natural. How are you all? Is Glenn going to school & to Florence? Tell her hello! This picture is very true to life of our fair land. We are auto riding three days looking for a home. Cora B was here yesterday too. We are so glad to have her out here. I have to help decorate the [illegible] at Baptist ch. Friday P.M. Don't fail to join us. Will be a lot to you all. With love & best wishes. Mamie & [illegible]

PostmarkedPasadena, CA, December 22, 1909, 13:30

Addressed to

Mrs. John Boudish

Hanbeck, IA

From325 Burton Ct, Pas., CA

Postcard record

Postmarked	December 22, 1909, 13:30, Pasadena, CA
Series	1168
Condition	Good
Place addressed	Mrs. John Boudish, Hanbeck, IA
Place depicted	Mission Valley, San Diego, CA
Place sent from	325 Burton Ct, Pas., CA
Stamp	1c Benjamin Franklin, green, perforated on all sides
Stamp	10c Benjamin Franklin, green, perforated on all sides
Notes	Color-printed card with worn, chipped edges and rounded corners; no white border, image runs to the edge. Postmark: PASADENA CAL. DEC 22 1:30 PM 1909; partial circular transit cancellation, likely Princeton, Ind., struck beside the stamp. Divided-back private card, colored halftone with white border; light edge/corner wear and slight soiling. Faint vertical pencil letters along left edge, possibly a dealer stock code.

Cite this card

Mission Valley, San Diego, California, 1909, postcard, c. 1909. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/mission-valley-san-diego-california-1909. Accessed November 2, 2026.