Hume y Ca Ahumada; Myers, Charles C. (Charles Cleveland), 1879-1942

Postcard showing a view of San Cristobal Hill and the city of Santiago, Chile from Santa Lucia Hill. Charles C. Myers notes the view of the Andes Mountains.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “To the east, to the north and to the west are to be seen the towering peaks of the Andes Mts. many of which are clothed in snow the greater part of the year, which adds to the beauty of mountain scenery. many lovers of nature climb this hill day after day to see the beautiful sunsets which are never twice the same from this excellent place of observation. There seems to be no foothills to the Andes Mts as they rise abruptly from the plains, making the picture as seen from San Lucia Hill the more perfect and satisfying and such as can no pen or brush justly describe”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the Avenida de las Delicias in Santiago, Chile. Charles C. Myers describes the middle of the road features a wide walkway used by pedestrians.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “By rail one reaches Santiago almost unexpectedly. After leaving Llai-Llai, which is the highest village in the Andes Mts., where they detach the two extra engines that helped pull the train up the long steep grade from Valparaiso, to say the least the descent is rapid and exciting, thru a more or less barren section rough and rocky, when suddenly the train enters between two long and high walls and only a few minutes you find your self at the station and looking down this long and wide street which is the most beautiful boulevard in the city. As you here see this street has a wide promenade in the middle while the street car tracks and wide driveways are on either side. There are several statues along this promenade that have been erected in honor of the heroes of their country and the war of independence of 1910. Among them are the statues of San Martin, O’Higgins, Molina, Carrera and others of equal fame.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the Plaza Vicuña Mackenna in Santiago, Chile.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here we see a beautiful and remarkable piece of art in this great statue which was erected in 1891 in honor and memory of Don Benjamin Mackenna, in whose honor this plaza was named. Mackenna was an Irishman and a noted Historian as well as a military man. It was he who conceived the idea of surrounding the city with a belt of trees to prevent undue extensions in a struggling form. For several years prior to his death in 1890, he had wielded his pen with much power and foresight for the further development and advancement of his country.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the Plaza de Armas and Hotel de France in Santiago, Chile. Charles C. Myers comments on the weekly band concerts and socialization in the park.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Overlooking a section of the Plaza des Armas we see the Hotel de France which is the leading hotel of the city as well as one of the leading hotels of South America. Plaza des Armas is a small but beautiful park in the central part of the city and is a very interesting place to visit especially on nights when band concerts are held. It is very amusing to seat yourself near the broad walk that encircles the park and watch proceedings. It is an old Spanish custom, and still practiced extensively, that for amusement and passtime, [sic] the senoras and senoritas (ladies) will walk in one direction and on the inside of the circular walk while the caballeros (cabreelyos [sic]) (gentlemen) walk in the opposite direction. Much is said to ba [sic] accomplished by the “language of the eye” in this way.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing Calle del Estado in Santiago, Chile.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “One of the narrow and busy streets in Santiago, in the shopping vicinity. It was our pleasure to meet several business men in this city that were from United States. They say most all kinds of business is good in Chile. It sould [sic] be so for most anything you wish to buy, except fruit, is about double the price for the same article in United States. Fruit of all kinds is of an excellent quality and very cheap. At all stations along the railway are to be seen many fruit venders [sic] selling large baskets of assorted fruit for one peso–about 22¢.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a marketplace in Santiago, Chile.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “A visit to the market square is one of interest as there you see all classes of people and hundreds of ox teams that have brought loads of produce from the country to the city markets and here you can get large baskets of delicious fruit almost at your own price.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing inside the cathedral in Santiago, Chile. Charles C. Myers describes the decorations in the interior of the cathedral.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here is the first view you get when entering the cathedral and you are quite likely to stop and gaze with astonishment at the beauty and grandeur of this place, being finished in white marble it is indeed very fascinating. In this picture, all those parts that you would think are paintings are colored mosaic work which is a more wonderful piece of art than many of the great paintings of the Louvre Art gallery in Paris.

The costom [sic] of ‘hats off’ is rigidly enforced in this cathedral and the only head dress allowed worn by either sex is the black veil or the National Head Dress, called the ‘manto’ and it is very fascinating with its flowing classical folds, especially when it frames a pretty face; but it requires a great deal of knack in its arrangement. There are as many as 15 different ways of adjusting this peculiar head gear and it is really only those Chilean born that defy criticism in this matter.