1960s Miss Wisconsin Duck on Dell Creek, The Dells

Experience the charm and adventure of Wisconsin Dells with this vintage postcard featuring the Original Wisconsin Ducks vehicle “Miss Wisconsin” navigating Dell Creek. The image captures the Duck in action along the scenic waterways, highlighting the excitement of one-hour guided tours that combined land trails and river passages. Marketed with the slogan “Ride the Original Wisconsin Ducks – it’s fun galore,” these tours offered visitors a unique way to explore the dramatic sandstone cliffs and gorges that make the Dells a must-see destination.

The vehicle pictured, “Miss Wisconsin,” is an authentic GMC DUKW-353 amphibious truck originally built for World War II beach landings and troop transport. Beginning in 1946, surplus DUKWs were repurposed for tourism in Wisconsin Dells, giving rise to the Original Wisconsin Ducks tours. While some Ducks were named after famous WWII battles, “Miss Wisconsin” carries a patriotic, local-themed name. The WWII connection remains strong through the vehicle itself, allowing passengers to experience the rugged, amphibious capabilities of a true military truck while enjoying scenic sightseeing along both land and water.

The Wisconsin Dells region has a history stretching back thousands of years. The Ho-Chunk people were the original inhabitants, living, hunting, and fishing along the river and leaving behind mounds and artifacts. French explorers arrived in the seventeenth century, and by the nineteenth century the area had become a popular tourist destination. Visitors first came via steamboats, later exploring the gorges and cliffs through guided riverboats, and eventually through amphibious Duck vehicles that added new excitement to the region’s long-standing scenic appeal.

This postcard was published by Trumble Photography of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, with photography credited to Casey Trumble. The higher image number and Casey’s credit suggest a production date in the late 1960s, a period when the studio emphasized both scenic beauty and the personalities of the Ducks’ guides in its postcards.

This card preserves the playful adventure and historic charm of Wisconsin Ducks tours, making it a wonderful collectible for fans of amphibious vehicles, mid-century travel, and the Wisconsin Dells landscape. This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.

Love it ♡
Get it ☆
Get Lucky 💋 Vintage