Dot, Helen, Dot, Dot, and Adelaide, early 1920s
What I love about this photo is the names. Every year, the list of the most popular baby names is published. Names go in and out of fashion; that’s nothing new. This photo of five friends on vacation together — dated 1921 — shows that the name Dorothy (Dot was the common nickname for Dorothy) was very popular around 1902 and the following years. (These women are Dot Barton, Helen Barton, Dot Richardson, Dot Roberson, and Adelaide Owens.)
A Fourth of July Holiday, Early 1920s
My Aunt Dot (on the far left) had many pictures which were taken during this 4th of July vacation in Monte Rio, California, with a group of friends and co-workers in the early 1920s. [She wrote “July 4, 1921” on most of these photos, but she also wrote “July 4, 1921” on a different set of pictures, taken on a trip to Santa Cruz, California, with a different group of her friends, so the best we can say is that these date from the early 1920s.] You can see several American flags decorating the porch in this picture:
Friends on the Porch, Monte Rio, 4th of July, early 1920s.
Monte Rio on the Russian River
Monte Rio still exists as a small resort town on the Russian River, in Northern California’s Sonoma County. It was connected to San Francisco by a railroad that ran from Sausalito; before the Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937, people from the San Francisco Peninsula reached Sausalito by ferry boat. In other words, this large group of friends was able to get to Monte Rio by public transportation. You can see the railroad tracks in this group photo:
Monte Rio could be visited by train.
Sandy Beach on the Russian River
There was a bridge across the Russian River, and a sandy beach for swimming.
Swimmers at Russian River, early 1920s.
One of the women, wearing a checked dress, can be seen at right, taking a picture of two of her friends:
Swimmers being photographed, Russian River, 1920s.
On the beach — note the large sun hats for the women.
Some of the photos were taken at the Glen Rita Hotel.
Group at the Glen Rita Hotel, early 1920s.
The Hotel looks rather expensive; it was also possible to stay in a tent, judging from photos.
It looks like the Dots and their friends had a good time!
Friends walking across the rail bridge, Monte Rio, 1920s.
Remembered Summers 