1960s WWII Duck “Tarawa” on the Wisconsin River in The Dells

Experience the thrill of Wisconsin Dells with this vintage postcard featuring the Original Wisconsin Ducks tour boat “Tarawa” navigating the Wisconsin River at Hawk’s Bill. The image captures the amphibious vehicle passing the striking sandstone formation that gives this part of the river its name. Hawk’s Bill, a narrow rock outcropping resembling the curved beak of a hawk, has long been a favorite scenic landmark for photographers and tourists exploring the Dells. Passengers on the one-hour tour enjoy a combination of land trails and water passages, taking in the rugged cliffs, winding channels, and dense forest scenery that make the Wisconsin Dells unique.

The vehicle pictured is an authentic GMC DUKW-353, repurposed from World War II for tourism starting in 1946 as part of the Original Wisconsin Ducks fleet. Named “Tarawa” after the pivotal Battle of Tarawa in November 1943 in the Pacific Theater, the duck recalls the heroic and challenging amphibious landings of WWII. These vehicles gave passengers both an adventurous ride on land and water and a tangible connection to military history, blending excitement with storytelling.

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, initially via steamboats and later through guided tours like those featured on this postcard. Hawk’s Bill has been one of the iconic formations drawing visitors, adding to the region’s reputation for dramatic natural scenery.

This postcard was published by Trumble Photography of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, with photography by John A. Trumble. The studio played a key role in promoting the Dells through mid-century postcards, capturing memorable images of tour boats, ducks, and scenic landmarks that defined the area’s tourist experience.

This card is a collectible for enthusiasts of amphibious vehicles, World War II history, or the dramatic landscapes and tourism legacy of Wisconsin Dells. This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.

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