This instalment of “Postcards from Tongwynlais” features a very special image of the village square from the early 1900s. The postcard was sent on the 30th of September 1907.

I shared some photos of the Lewis Arms back in 2024 from the early 1900s to 2016. I kept this postcard back because I wanted to include it in this series.

I’ve painstakingly removed dust, scratches and water stains to preserve and share this unique view of our village.

The photo is included in Volume 3 of The Tongwynlais, Taff’s Well and Nantgarw Picture Album. It’s a clean image but a bit dark in places. There’s no extra information other than stating it’s from the 1900s.

One interesting missing detail on the Lewis Arms are the initials “RAOB”. The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes is a charitable fraternal order that met in local pubs. The initials can be seen in another postcard image sent in 1903.

The card was produced by Hardings (Bristol & Cardiff), part of their “Progress” series. I have a few postcards in my collection from Hardings:

• Postcards from Tongwynlais – Part 1
• Postcards from Tongwynlais – Part 13
• Postcards from Tongwynlais – Part 17

The message reads something like:

Dear Liz,

I arrived here safe on Friday. I reached Llangyfelach under the hour & half time is nearly up now going back midday tomorrow. Will send you Roy & Stewart’s photos shortly.

Jack

Update: Regular readers Diane and Tricia both identified the location as “Llangyfelach”. This is a village in Swansea, about 30 miles away from Tongwynlais.

This tool shows how the view has changed in over 110 years. The modern photo is from 2020.

I hope you enjoyed this post. The postcard was quite expensive but I’m dedicated to preserving and sharing these incredibly rare historic images.

Please share this with family and friends who might enjoy the series.