Black-and-white view of a small wooden church with a square tower and arched entrance, standing among tall pine trees near New Hampton, Iowa. It is the Little Brown Church in the Vale, the church celebrated in William S. Pitts's song of the same name and a long-popular stop for travelers and weddings in northeast Iowa. The caption places it near New Hampton; the church is commonly associated with nearby Nashua. A note on the back records a one-hour visit.
Postcard Details
Message · English, in pen
We stopped here
1 hour - Stayed all
nite about
was three
Home at 2
Trip. I had there
trip - Again thanks
for everything
and will write
letter soon but
wanted you to
know we were
home. Love
both girls
Helen I believe
Real photo postcard with white border; printed caption "THE LITTLE BROWN CHURCH IN THE VALE - NEAR NEW HAMPTON - IA." and number N204 in image; power lines cross the scene.
Postmark: RAPIDS JUL 21 9 AM 1956. Divided-back real-photo card, glossy; two 1c Washington green stamps; L.L. Cook Co. imprint, Milwaukee.
Cite this card
The Little Brown Church in the Vale, New Hampton, IA, 1956, postcard, c. 1956. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/the-little-brown-church-in-the-vale-new-hampton-ia-1956. Accessed November 2, 2026.
