I'm originally from Michigan, so instead of Helen Keller hunting, my eyes went immediately to the birch trees. I've been in Chicago almost 30 years, but the once-plentiful birch is almost non-existent here now. Growing up in Michigan, we had them; and yes, as kids we took knives to the trees to cut the bark, just like in the picture. I'm adding a picture taken very near the Chicago street I now live on. Rogers Park, Chicago had a lot of birch at that time (early 1900s), and just like in the other picture, everyone cut bark from the trees. The cross street near my house is even named ... Birchwood.

If the date of the photograph is correct, the couple in the middle of the pic are not Ann Sullivan and Helen Keller. Keller was 26 years old in 1906.

Just point your car north and follow any of the Michigan coastlines. There are still plenty of small, idyllic towns and beaches to enjoy, now with less coal smoke! I'd recommend waiting for summer, however, if you plan on reliving this particular scene.

Wequetonsing is still a lovely place, found just off the main drag of M113 on the way to Harbor Springs. Still a pretty exclusive place and not that far from Bay View, which was featured here very recently. Both places are essentially time capsules.

If that is indeed Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan then this blog is nothing less than amazing. The alertness of the commenters is outstanding.

[Ummm ... - Dave]

Miss Annie Sullivan is shown enlightening her pupil, Miss Helen Keller.

Wequetonsing, also spelled Wiikwedoonsing, means "the place of the little bay" in Ojibwe and related Ottawa language.

Wouldn't see the utility lines running right down the beach today! Other than that, what a beautiful setting. between this and the other Michigan beach community photo a day or so back I'm dying for a time machine!

Looks like the famous Seurat painting, "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" ...but without the crowd.

Makes my heart yearn for a much simpler time.

Wonderful, warm photo. The young lady on the left is a master touch. Not noticed until I went to full size. I wonder if the photographer was aware that she was there?

Check out the thickness of the boardwalk!

[The enthusiasms of our patrons know no bounds! - Dave]

I really like that steamer coming in right in the center!