Postcard image of a turn-of-the-twentieth century turpentine still and workers in Augusta, Georgia. Throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the turpentine industry contributed significantly to the economic vitality of the southeastern region of the United States. Georgia's abundance of both longleaf and slash pines coupled with Augusta's location at the head of the Savannah River created an ideal market for turpentine and rosin production in Augusta. Workers harvested crude pine gum from the trees then processed the crude gum into turpentine which would later be used in the manufacturing of cotton goods as well as paints and varnishes.

Inscribed on front: "The Pines are cut near the bottom through the bark to get the sap for the turpentine something like this [sketch of tree]. It ruins the pines."

Inscribed on verso: "Augusta, Ga., Oct. 27, 1909, I got the packages all in good condition. Had a nice letter from Marion Drury. They are building a home just out of Worcester. The baby is Althea Marion Constance. Bought me a lovely crysanthemum [chrysanthemum] today, and I expect to go to the theater Friday with her and some of my other girls. Made some formal calls today. Will write tomorrow. --Ella."

Addressed to Mrs. Caroline M. Mayo, 24 Winter St. Orange, Mass.

Original postcard scanned and described by the Digital Library of Georgia as a part of Georgia HomePLACE: an initiative of the Georgia Public Library Service and GALILEO.