1960s Original Wisconsin Ducks on Suicide Hill in the Dells
Step into the excitement of Wisconsin Dells with this vintage postcard showing “The Leyte Gulf” approaching Suicide Hill on an Original Wisconsin Ducks tour. The image captures a thrilling moment along a steep portion of the route, nicknamed Suicide Hill by early operators to emphasize the adventure of riding WWII-era amphibious vehicles over both land and water. The one-hour tour offered passengers a combination of scenic river passages and rugged land trails, highlighting the unique sandstone cliffs and gorges of the Wisconsin Dells.
The vehicle pictured, “the Leyte Gulf,” is a repurposed WWII DUKW amphibious truck, part of the fleet that became the Original Wisconsin Ducks. These vehicles were named after famous WWII battles, in this case the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944), one of the largest naval battles in history. By the 1960s, the Original Wisconsin Ducks had become a staple of Dells tourism, delighting generations of visitors with their land-and-water adventures.
The Wisconsin Dells region has a history stretching back thousands of years. The Ho-Chunk people were the original inhabitants, leaving behind mounds and artifacts along the river. French explorers arrived in the seventeenth century, and by the 1800s, the area had become a popular tourist destination, first via steamboats and later through guided tours like those featured on this postcard.
This postcard was published by Trumble Photography of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, with photography by John A. Trumble, a key figure in promoting the Dells through mid-century souvenir postcards. The studio documented the rise of tourism in the region, capturing dramatic images of tour boats, ducks, and scenic landmarks that helped make Wisconsin Dells a must-see destination.
This card captures the thrill, history, and charm of mid-century Wisconsin Dells tourism, making it a perfect collectible for fans of amphibious vehicles, vintage postcards, or the unique landscapes of the Dells.
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